iPhone 18 Pro Earpiece Crackling: Causes and Fixes

If your iPhone 18 Pro or 18 Pro Max makes a crackling, ticking or popping sound from the earpiece (the speaker at the top of the screen), you are not alone. Owners have reported it since launch, and the cause has not been confirmed. Apple has not commented publicly, and iOS 27.0.1 did not fix it. The quickest useful steps are to install the latest iOS update, restart the phone, and rule out a case, screen protector or dirt in the earpiece opening. If the noise continues, document it and contact Apple Support.

{toc}

Why it happens

Here is what reputable outlets have reported as of October 25, 2026:

Affected models: iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Not every unit is affected. MacRumors reported complaints from owners on its forums and on Reddit on September 29, 2026.
Which speaker: Most reports describe the earpiece speaker, not the bottom loudspeaker.
What it sounds like: A faint tick, clicking or crackling, sometimes with no audio playing.
Reported triggers: Some owners hear it constantly. Others hear it when they use apps, scroll web pages, receive notifications, open the keyboard or make cellular calls. MacRumors also reported that on affected units, turning Airplane Mode on or off or changing screen brightness quickly can set it off.
Software status: iOS 27.0.1, released September 28, 2026, fixed three other problems: restarts after a failed Face ID scan, a color artifact in some 2x photos, and an unresponsive touchscreen when Notification Center and Control Center are open together. Its release notes do not mention speaker noise, and early owner feedback said the crackling continued (Macworld, MacRumors). If you are wondering about iOS 27.1, Apple released it only for the iPhone Duo, so the iPhone 18 Pro moves straight from iOS 27.0.1 to iOS 27.2 (MacRumors).
Replacements: Some owners who exchanged their phone reported that the replacement made the same noise (Gotechtor, MacRumors).
Apple's position: As of mid-October, Apple had not acknowledged the issue publicly (tech-ish).

There is a precedent. In 2017, owners of the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus reported a crackling earpiece during calls, and Apple fixed it with iOS 11.0.2 (MacDailyNews). That is one reason MacDailyNews suspects software this time too, though nothing is confirmed.

{tip}

First, make sure the sound really comes from the earpiece. The main camera on the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max has a new variable aperture with six mechanical blades (PetaPixel), so the camera module has moving parts. If you only hear a click or rattle when you move or shake the phone, or while the Camera app is open, it may be coming from the camera rather than the speaker. Put the phone flat on a table, keep it still, and listen at the top of the screen.

{tip}

Note when the noise happens (which app, during a call, after a notification or brightness change) and, if you can, record it with another phone. Apple Support can act faster on a clear, repeatable description.

Fixes

The steps below follow Apple's official support documents and run from the simplest to the most drastic. They are based on iOS 27 (iOS 27.0.1 at the time of writing). Because the root cause is unknown, no step is guaranteed to stop the noise. They still help rule out simple causes.

Fix 1: Install the latest iOS update

Apple fixed a similar earpiece problem with a software update in the past. iOS 27.1 is for the iPhone Duo only, so the next update for the iPhone 18 Pro is iOS 27.2. It reached the release candidate stage on October 19, 2026 (9to5Mac), and MacRumors expected the public release in the week after October 23. No public release note mentions a speaker fix yet. Install each new version and read its notes for any mention of the earpiece or audio.

Back up your iPhone and connect it to power and Wi-Fi.
Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
If an update is listed, tap Download and Install and follow the onscreen steps.

Fix 2: Restart or force restart the iPhone

A restart clears temporary software states and loses no data. Some owners quoted by iDrop News said it helped, though not for everyone.

Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears.
Drag the slider, wait 30 seconds, then press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.
If the phone is not responding, force restart it: press and release volume up, press and release volume down, then press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.

Fix 3: Remove the case and screen protector, and clean the earpiece

Apple's speaker troubleshooting guide says to remove screen protectors, films and cases, and to check the receiver (earpiece) opening for dirt.

Take off the case and any screen protector or film.
Look at the earpiece opening at the top of the display for dust or lint.
If it needs cleaning, use a small, soft-bristled brush that is clean and dry. Do not push anything sharp into the opening.

Fix 4: Run Apple's quick speaker checks

From Apple's guide for distorted speaker sound, these checks separate a speaker problem from a network problem.

Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and drag the Ringtone and Alerts slider back and forth a few times. If you hear nothing, or the speaker button on the slider is dimmed, the speaker may need service.
Make a test call. Apple notes that static or crackling heard only during calls can come from your network or poor reception, so try again later or from another location.
If the crackling happens with no call active, for example while scrolling or when a notification arrives, the network is unlikely to be the cause. Note this for Apple Support.

Fix 5: During calls, switch Mic Mode from Voice Isolation to Standard

This is a user-reported workaround, not an official fix. Owners quoted by Macworld and iDrop News said that turning off Voice Isolation reduced the crackling during phone calls but did not remove it completely. The menu path below comes from Apple's Mic Mode guide.

Start or answer a phone call.
Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open Control Center.
Tap Phone Controls, then under Audio & Video choose Standard instead of Voice Isolation.
Apple says the mode stays set for that app until you change it.

Fix 6: Reset All Settings

This returns settings to their defaults without deleting your apps, photos, messages or files. No reputable outlet has reported that it cures this crackling, so treat it as a test before contacting Apple.

{warning}

Reset All Settings removes saved Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth pairings, Apple Pay cards, Apple Watch pairings, Face ID setup, your Home Screen layout and wallpaper, and your sound, display and privacy settings. Back up first, and plan to set these up again.

Back up your iPhone with iCloud or a computer.
Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.
Enter your passcode and confirm.
After the restart, test the earpiece in the same situations that triggered the noise before.

Fix 7: Erase and set up as new (last resort)

There are no reliable reports that a full erase fixes this problem. Most owners should skip it and contact Apple Support instead; try it only if Apple asks you to.

{warning}

Erase All Content and Settings deletes everything on the iPhone. Make a complete backup first and confirm it finished. If you use an eSIM, choose to keep it when asked. If you erase it, you will need your carrier to reactivate your plan.

Back up your iPhone and check that the backup completed.
Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings and tap Continue.
Choose whether to keep your eSIM, enter your passcode and Apple Account password, and wait for the Hello screen.
Set up as new without restoring, check for the noise, then restore your backup.

When to contact support

Contact Apple through getsupport.apple.com, the Apple Support app or an Apple Store if any of these apply:

The crackling continues after you update, restart and remove the case and screen protector.
The noise happens with no call active, so a weak network is unlikely to be the cause.
The Ringtone and Alerts slider produces no sound, or its speaker button is dimmed.

Every iPhone 18 Pro is still within Apple's standard one-year limited warranty, and AppleCare+ extends that coverage. Give support your iOS version and the exact triggers. Since some replacement units had the same noise, check your retailer's return deadline before choosing between a repair, a replacement or waiting for an update. Apple's warranty service can also depend on the country where the phone was bought, so confirm coverage first if you imported your iPhone.

FAQ

Is the iPhone 18 Pro earpiece crackling a hardware defect?

Not confirmed. Because replacements behave the same way and screen actions trigger it, some outlets suspect software. Apple has not explained the cause.

Did iOS 27.0.1 or iOS 27.1 fix the crackling?

No. Its release notes do not mention speaker noise, and owners said the crackling continued. iOS 27.1 is for the iPhone Duo only, so the next chance is iOS 27.2.

Should I exchange my iPhone 18 Pro because of the crackling?

It depends on how much the noise bothers you and your return deadline. Some replacements had the same noise, so for occasional crackling, logging it with Apple Support and waiting for iOS 27.2 may be easier.