You’ve noticed that your new iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus is making a crackling sound or noise background during phone calls. At first you may think it wasn’t a big deal but when it keeps happening every time you have phone conversations, it can be already annoying. If you are trying to deal with the same issue on your new iPhone, you are not alone as crackling sound or noise during phone calls likewise occurred to other iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus users.
Apple has acknowledged this problem though and in fact a minor software update to iOS 11 has already been deployed to address this concern. The update containing the fix is version iOS 11.0.2. If you haven’t installed it yet, then you should do it now in order to get rid of the problem. However, if you’ve already installed the said update but still end up being bothered by the same problem on crackling sound during phone calls, then you need to try something else. If you could spend a little of your time, then read this entire post to find out other options and applicable workarounds you can try to remedy this annoying sound issue on your iPhone 8.
What to do first?
- Implement Apple Fix: Install iOS 11.0.2 on your iPhone 8 or 8 Plus.
Responding to prior complaints raised by iPhone 8 users regarding a crackling sound during calls, Apple has rolled out a minor update to iOS 11 that contains a fix. Given that this is an official fix from Apple itself, this should be considered among the first possible solutions to try.
Workarounds and potential solutions to crackling sound issue on the iPhone 8/iPhone 8 Plus
Apparently the main issue that you are dealing with is software related unless there were previous instances when your iPhone got wet or was dropped. As much as possible, verify and ensure that the problem is not triggered by physical or liquid damage on the iPhone. The problem can likely be related to the hardware especially if it persists even after installing the official fix offered through iOS 11.0.2.
Once you have ruled out the possibility of hardware damage that might be triggering the iPhone to make crackling sound or noise during phone calls, then doing some other workarounds might be able to remedy. Consider the following options.
First method: Enter Safe Mode and diagnose apps
Safe Mode is a state in which the iPhone only allows stock or built-in apps to run. All third-party apps and services are disabled in this mode. Thus, it will be easier for to determine whether the problem is triggered by a third-party app or not. Here’s how to enter Safe Mode on your iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus:
- Tap the Side (Power) button and the Home button on your iPhone at the same time for a few seconds.
- When the screen turns black, let go of the Home button but continue pressing the Power button.
- When the Apple logo appears, release the Power button then quickly press the Volume Up button.
- When the springboard loads and you see a Safe Mode label on the screen, release the Volume Up button.
Troubleshoot the problem while in safe mode. To do so, try to make a test call on your iPhone while in safe and then see if the crackling sound or noise still occurs. If not, then try to disable or uninstall the most recent app or content you’ve installed as it’s probably causing the problem. To help you decide on which third-party app to disable or uninstall, think of when the problem started. Before the first symptom occurs, you must have installed a new application or content on your iPhone. And that app is likely the main culprit.
Second method: Master reset/ factory reset
Another option you have in dealing with software-related sound problems on the iPhone is a factory reset otherwise known as master reset. This however should only be considered among the last resorts if none of the prior methods or workarounds is able to deal with the problem. Before you do so, be sure to backup your iPhone for safekeeping. Note that all your saved information and iPhone data will be erased in the processed along with any possible software glitches. A factory reset can be done through the iPhone Settings menu or using iTunes on a computer. Before you do a master reset, try to force your iPhone to restart first.
- To do a force restart on your iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus, press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Then press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Finally, press and hold the Side (Power) button until the Apple logo appears.
After the iPhone reboots, perform a test call to see if the sound problem is gone. If it persists, then proceed to a factory reset or master reset.
Factory reset through the Settings Menu:
You can do a factory reset through your iPhone Settings menu for as long as your device is responsive or not frozen. Here’s how:
- Backup your iPhone.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap Reset.
- Select the option to Erase All Settings.
- If prompted, enter the correct passcode for your device.
- Tap the option to confirm iPhone reset.
When the reset is complete, factory settings and default options are restored on your device. Set up necessary settings and options then try to make a test call to determine whether or not the problem has been fixed.
Factory reset using iTunes:
Alternatively, you can use iTunes to wipe your iPhone and restore factory defaults through iTunes. In order to proceed, you will need to secure a computer to use in the process. You may use either a Mac or Windows PC with the latest version of iTunes software installed. Once you have everything set, follow these steps to erase your iPhone through iTunes. Note that this process will likewise wipe information from your device and then restores it to factory settings.
- To get started, connect your iPhone to the computer using the supplied USB or Lightning cable.
- Open iTunes on your Mac or Windows computer.
- If prompted, enter your device passcode or select the option to Trust this Computer then follow the onscreen instructions.
- Select your iPhone from the list of devices in iTunes.
- Navigate to the Summary section then click Restore [device name].
- Click Restore again to confirm action. iTunes will then erase your device and installs the latest iOS version.
Your iPhone will restart once it restores to factory settings. You can set it up as new by then.
Once everything is setup properly, try to perform a test call to see if it’s now working fine and that the crackling sound or noise is no more.
Third method: Recovery Mode restore
Performing a recovery mode restore on the iPhone if often needed when dealing more complex issues on the software and that the usual factory reset is not able to fix it. Again, you will need a computer with the latest iTunes software installed to carry out this process.
- Connect your iPhone to the computer.
- Open iTunes on the computer then wait for it to recognize your device.
- When recognized, force your iPhone to restart with these three steps:
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Then press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Finally, press and quickly release the Side button or Power button until the Recovery Mode screen appears. Do not release the buttons when the Apple logo appears as you need to enter recovery mode.
- When the Recovery Mode screen appears, iTunes will prompt you with the options to Restore or Update your device. Select the option to Update if you want iTunes to try to reinstall iOS without erasing your data. Otherwise, choose Restore to restore your iPhone from a previous iOS backup file.
Set up your device afterwards then make a test call. If you still hear crackling sound or noise during the call, proceed to the next applicable solution.
Fourth method: DFU Mode restore
Usually a recovery mode restore is enough to fix device issues that are software-related. However, there are times when recovery mode yields positive outcome. In this case, you can resort to a deepest type of iOS restore usually performed by Apple technicians when troubleshooting iPhone issues particularly software malfunctions. It’s called a DFU Mode restore.
DFU warning:
- A few warnings though before performing a DFU mode restore. To prevent causing any further damage to your iPhone due to incorrect or unsuccessful DFU mode restore, make sure your iPhone has no traces of physical or liquid damage. Liquid damage on the iPhone can interrupt the process and when this happens, the system would crash and your device can brick. So instead of fixing the problem, it gets even worst.
In case you’re willing to take the risks, backup your iPhone data to iTunes or iCloud for safekeeping then refer to these steps:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer.
- If necessary, launch the iTunes app on the computer.
- Press and hold the Power button or Side button on your iPhone for about 3 seconds.
- Press and hold the Volume Down button on your iPhone while still holding the Power or Side button.
- Keep holding both buttons for another 10 seconds.
- If the Apple logo appears, you have held them too long and so you need to start all over. Otherwise, continue to the next step.
- Let go of the Power or Side button but continue holding the Volume Down button for about 5 seconds.
- If you see the Plug into iTunes screen, it means that you have held the button too long and you’ll need to start all over.
- If you see a black screen and it remains black afterwards, it means that you have successfully entered DFU Mode. At this point, iTunes will prompt you with an alert message saying that it has detected your iPhone and will allow it to be restored.
Follow the rest of the onscreen instructions to restore your iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus in DFU Mode. Considering that the DFU Mode was successfully completed, make a test call to see if the restore has fixed the crackling sound on your iPhone.
Seek More Help
If none of the prior workarounds is able to rectify the issue and that your iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus is still making a crackling sound or noise during phone calls, then at this point, you may seek further assistance from your carrier or Apple Support. Just let them know of what you’ve done so far in an attempt to resolve the problem on your end but to no avail. Doing so will save you time from the same things all over again with a tech support representative. Try to ask what other options you may have that are not done yet.