Leaked memo from Apple says iOS 11.3 disabled the mic on some iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus models

by Alan Friedman / May 05, 2018, 1:54 AM

Some Apple iPhone 7 models had the microphone disabled by the update to iOS 11.3

Some owners of the 2016 Apple iPhone 7 and Apple iPhone 7 Plus are having problems with the microphones on these models during phone calls. This information was the subject of an internal Apple memo sent to authorized repair centers, and was leaked on Friday. Apparently, this issue started with the update to iOS 11.3. The problem with the microphones leads to the speaker button being "grayed out" during phone calls, preventing users from using the speaker phone feature during a call. It also could prevent callers from being heard by those on the other end of a phone call or during FaceTime video calls.

The memo recommends that authorized repair centers first ask users to disable any Bluetooth devices that might be connected to their iPhone. If that doesn't solve the problem, a series of audio diagnostic tests will be run. If the results indicate a problem with a user's iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus, the repair center can write a ticket to fix the problem. Obviously, those with a device covered by the original warranty have no problem. Those with an affected phone with an expired warranty can still ask the service center to request an exception that will allow the repair to be covered by Apple.

Why iOS 11.3 is disabling microphones on the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus is unknown, but Apple does feel that in some cases the software update is causing a hardware problem that requires a repair to be made.

While Apple has yet to confirm the issue, if you are having these problems with your 2016 iPhone, you should make an appointment with the Genius Bar inside your local Apple Store. Because of the discounted battery replacement deal Apple is running all year, it might be hard to schedule an appointment. You can also try to have your handset fixed at an authorized Apple retail center.

Several complaints about this issue have been seen in the Apple Support Communities Forum, Reddit, and Twitter.

source: MacRumors

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25 Comments

1. billylegoat

Posts: 7; Member since: Apr 17, 2017

The most advanced mobile OS is having simple microphone bug?

posted on May 05, 2018, 2:01 AM 18

2. piyath

Posts: 2445; Member since: Mar 23, 2012

Yes, so what? every now and then software bugs will arise and Apple fixes then in no time. In android you will never receive a fix.

posted on May 05, 2018, 2:05 AM 5

4. ShadowSnypa786

Posts: 554; Member since: Jan 06, 2017

When Samsung released S8 and it had a tint to the display Samsung released a software update. When Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL had its fair share of issues at release Google released updates. Same with others. And sorry but the whole point of a phone is calling if the microphone isn't working then that's a massive deal. Hopefully Apple wont charge people who's warranty has expired.

posted on May 05, 2018, 3:06 AM 12

18. NarutoKage14

Posts: 1318; Member since: Aug 31, 2016

They can't charge to fix the issue because it was caused by a software update.

posted on May 05, 2018, 4:42 PM 0

25. Finalflash

Posts: 4063; Member since: Jul 23, 2013

They are though if you are out of warranty.

posted on May 06, 2018, 10:42 PM 0

14. sissy246

Posts: 7070; Member since: Mar 04, 2015

OMG whatever If it was Samsung or any other maker you hate you would be all over it.

posted on May 05, 2018, 9:59 AM 1

21. kevv2288

Posts: 290; Member since: Jul 30, 2015

https://www.phonearena.com/news/Samsung-Galaxy-S9-plus-update-fixes-call-issues_id104681

posted on May 05, 2018, 8:02 PM 1

7. Tsepz_GP

Posts: 1175; Member since: Apr 12, 2012

Lol at "most advanced mobile OS" . Well played.

posted on May 05, 2018, 6:16 AM 7

9. DolmioMan

Posts: 314; Member since: Jan 08, 2018

You have no idea of the complexity of the issue.

posted on May 05, 2018, 7:55 AM 0

24. mootu

Posts: 1500; Member since: Mar 16, 2017

We have no idea of the complexity of the many issues they have had with IOS 11.

posted on May 06, 2018, 12:19 PM 0

3. bamzitzrbd63 unregistered

We should wait so apple gives us a upgrade to the iPhone 8 /8+ as a replacement

posted on May 05, 2018, 2:55 AM 1

5. TheNeighbor

Posts: 370; Member since: Nov 15, 2013

Amazing job, Apple. Amazing.

posted on May 05, 2018, 3:27 AM 4

6. SIGPRO

Posts: 2815; Member since: Oct 03, 2012

Poor iFans another failure from your rotten fruit company!

posted on May 05, 2018, 3:51 AM 3

8. Nimbus

Posts: 442; Member since: Apr 02, 2018

That why Windows os and Windows Mobile update sytem is amazing compare to both Android and ios update system.Android update system is good but only short live for 2 years and ios only upto 3 years of update is good but after that it's slow down iphone with 4th and 5th year of update and also its introduces many new bugs one fix after other.Windows mobile is good for 3 years and windows os for 5 years.

posted on May 05, 2018, 7:17 AM 2

10. Jrod99

Posts: 714; Member since: Jan 15, 2016

That one probably should of been caught before release.

posted on May 05, 2018, 8:25 AM 1

11. darkkjedii

Posts: 30966; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

Get this fixed ASAP Apple. That’s not a good look.

posted on May 05, 2018, 8:31 AM 1

15. tedkord

Posts: 17311; Member since: Jun 17, 2009

I'm sure they will.

posted on May 05, 2018, 10:35 AM 0

17. darkkjedii

Gotta be pretty irritating to those affected.

posted on May 05, 2018, 11:57 AM 1

19. NarutoKage14

The update turns their iPhones into iPods!

posted on May 05, 2018, 4:45 PM 2

23. tedkord

No doubt, but it happens.

posted on May 06, 2018, 9:41 AM 0

12. worldpeace

Posts: 3129; Member since: Apr 15, 2016

"but Apple does feel that in some cases the software update is causing a hardware problem that requires a repair to be made" Probably the only software update that can actually break hardware.. And the title said "some" probably suggest that this update targeting out of warranty iPhone7 with battery problem, so Apple will force them to fix their phone and replace their battery.. That will certainly increase their serviced revenue to cover shipment drop this quarter.

posted on May 05, 2018, 8:33 AM 4

13. sissy246

"While Apple has yet to confirm the issue" There was a article yesterday that Tim cook admitted they know. They were just trying to get away with it just like the battery throttling.

posted on May 05, 2018, 9:57 AM 2

16. hallihallo.87

Posts: 54; Member since: Jul 07, 2014

iPhone updates... Can't switch to summertime. Digitizer stopped working. Phone won't boot with third-party digitizer, Random reboots when shifted to 64-bit cpu. Slowing phone down on purpose and now mic bug. Well done from the second most valuable brand in the world ;)

posted on May 05, 2018, 11:49 AM 2

20. NarutoKage14

Pretty sad considering they control the hardware and software from end to end and they only need to check compatibility on 2-3 models per year. Sadder yet when you see their competitors release 10x to number of models and yet they have less bugs.