If your iPhone XR keeps showing “Headphones” when adjusting the volume — even though nothing’s plugged in — your phone is stuck in headphone mode. This glitch tricks your iPhone into thinking headphones are connected, usually because of moisture, dust, or a software bug. Sometimes it’s hardware-related, but before heading to a repair shop, try these fixes first.
1. Plug In and Unplug Your Headphones
This old-school trick actually works a lot of the time.
- Plug in your headphones.
- Wait a few seconds.
- Unplug them.
- Repeat this process 3–4 times.
You’re basically trying to “jog” the iPhone out of headphone mode. It’s especially helpful if the headphone port or Lightning connector got moisture or dust in it.
2. Soft Reset or Force Restart Your iPhone
A simple restart can clear temporary glitches that might be causing the issue.
Soft Reset:
- Press and hold the Side button and either Volume button until “slide to power off” appears.
- Drag the slider and wait 30 seconds.
- Press and hold the Side button again until the Apple logo shows up.
Force Restart (if soft reset doesn’t work):
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
This won’t delete anything — it just forces the system to refresh.
3. Turn Off Bluetooth and Forget Connected Devices
Your iPhone might be routing audio to a paired Bluetooth headset you’ve forgotten about.
Here’s what to do:
- Go to Settings > Bluetooth.
- If Bluetooth is on, toggle it off temporarily.
- Or, if you want to be thorough, tap the (i) next to each device and tap Forget This Device.
- Restart your phone.
Once back on, check if the “Headphones” label is gone.
4. Reset All Settings
If a settings misconfiguration is causing the bug, a reset might help. It won’t delete your data — just resets things like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and preferences.
To do this:
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Reset > Reset All Settings.
- Enter your passcode and confirm.
After the reset, your iPhone reboots and loads all system settings back to default.
5. Update to the Latest iOS
If you’re not running the latest iOS version, a software bug might be behind the issue — and it may have already been patched.
To check for an update:
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- If there’s an update available, tap Download and Install.
- Reboot your iPhone when it’s done.
6. Restore Your iPhone (Factory Reset)
If nothing works so far, a full reset may clear whatever deep software issue is causing the glitch.
⚠️ Back up your data first, because this will wipe everything.
Option A: Factory Reset via Settings
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
- Enter your passcode and confirm.
Option B: Restore with iTunes (cleaner option)
- Open iTunes on your computer (make sure it’s the latest version).
- Connect your iPhone XR using a Lightning cable.
- Tap Trust This Computer on your iPhone, if prompted.
- Select your device in iTunes and click Restore iPhone.
- Follow the prompts to reinstall the latest iOS.
This will restore your iPhone to factory condition — often clearing even stubborn bugs.
Still Stuck? Time to Check for Hardware Damage
If your iPhone XR is still stuck in headphone mode after trying everything above, there may be physical damage — like water or debris in the Lightning port.
Here’s what you can try:
- Shine a flashlight into the charging port and inspect for lint or gunk.
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or a clean, dry Q-tip to gently clean it.
- Avoid sticking anything sharp into the port.
If the issue persists, head to an Apple Store or authorized service provider. A technician can inspect for hardware damage and offer repair options.