VoiceOver audio output suddenly switches from the iPhone's main speaker to its ear speaker when Bluetooth is on.

By Robert Kingett, 11 May, 2022

Forum
iOS and iPadOS

Lately, even after getting a new iPhone, VoiceOver will suddenly, and abruptly, adopt the same kind of output heard when you are in a phone call. I could be reading an email, and then, all of a sudden, VoiceOver sounds as if I am on an active phone call, non speakerphone. I am not on an active phone call.

When I play some peace of audio again, or any media, then VoiceOver behaves normally, and stops sounding as if we're on an active phone call.

audio output suddenly switches from the iPhone's main speaker to its ear speaker for no reason at all, it seems. I am not connected to any device in particular but I do have a few, 2, bluetooth speakers in my list.

I tried disconnecting from the bluetooth speakers, but audio output switches from the iPhone's main speaker to its ear speaker still.

I've tried disabling Bluetooth and never had this problem again. I'd like to keep Bluetooth enabled because I often play media through my echo, 4th gen, device, without using Alexa or the Alexa app.

In my limited testing, I am sure of a few things.

There is no pattern I can detect.

If another Bluetooth device is connected, audio just stops, as if the iPhone isn't sure where to play the audio.

I haven't tried removing any bluetooth speakers yet, but I've got, connected via Bluetooth,

A Zag limitless keyboard.

JBL Clip 3 shower speaker.

Amazon Echo, fourth gen.

Does anyone have any ideas as to why audio output suddenly switches from the iPhone's main speaker to its ear speaker

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Comments

By Unregistered User (not verified) on Saturday, May 14, 2022 - 16:33

The phone usually switches over to that lower quality sound when the microphone is active on a bluetooth device. I wonder if the smart speaker is misbehaving and causing that to trigger.

By Cobbler on Saturday, May 14, 2022 - 16:33

Would you please clarify what you mean by “phone call voice”?

Do you mean that VoiceOver's voice changes in nature? If so, I'll have to pay more attention, as I've never noticed that this is what happens when on a call.

Or do you mean that audio output switches from the iPhone's main speaker to its ear speaker?

If it is the latter, does the behavior correct itself if you briefly place your hand in front of the ear speaker and then remove it?

* If you are wondering why I asked this question when it's covered in the original post, it's because the poster updated that post and its title after this comment was posted.

By Robert Kingett on Saturday, May 14, 2022 - 16:33

I believe it is audio output switches from the iPhone's main speaker to its ear speaker, but when I try to place my hand over the speaker and then removing it, it still outputs to the ear speaker. To get it to stop, I have to disable bluetooth completely.

By kool_turk on Saturday, May 14, 2022 - 16:33

I find triggering Siri then cancelling fixes the problem, but for how long I'm not sure.

I only get that when I launch the alexa app and what I suggested above works for that situation.

The Bluetooth problem I have is the volume issue, and the work around for that is to turn off voiceover sounds.

By gailisaiah on Saturday, May 14, 2022 - 16:33

First of all, Thanks Cool_Turk for the suggestion. Sometimes when I'm browsing through Amazon, my phone will switch like I'm on a call and voiceover is coming out of the ear piece instead of the phone speaker. I'll try that Siri thing next time it happens.

By Robert Kingett on Saturday, May 14, 2022 - 16:33

I did some additional testing, and it appears as though Amazon is the culprit. I removed the Alexa app, and completely disconnected from my Echo devices, and I've never had this problem again until I started connecting my stuff to Amazon devices and apps.

By Tanya Harrison on Saturday, May 14, 2022 - 16:33

Hi, I have the same speech in ear-piece issue with my Sony headphones, so Amazon isn't the primary cause. Triggering Siri always works for me. A similar issue I regularly encounter is calls going to the earpiece when trying to answer them on the Sony headphones. That can be rather anoying because people can't hear me when I answer their calls.