iPhone 8 Speaker is default

[rainbowcat]

My wonderful, newly purchased 8 has lost it's mind. Whenever I make a phone call, it defaults to speaker. I turn the speaker off, it turns it back on. This can go on indefinitely, and I never win. I usually use earphones, and even with the earphone plugged in, the speaker is on. A menu pops up, I select 'iPhone' and the phone then proceeds to select speaker for itself. I tap the phone button, and we are back to speaker again. I'm on the latest iOS13. I've turned the phone and off, but it hasn't helped. Once again, any help will be greatly appreciated!

 

[chscag]

It appears from searching that the only thing that works is to reset the phone. I also have an iPhone 8 and generally keep the speaker on but I'm able to turn it off by tapping it.

 

[rainbowcat]

It appears from searching that the only thing that works is to reset the phone. I also have an iPhone 8 and generally keep the speaker on but I'm able to turn it off by tapping it.

ACK! As in wipe it and start all over again?

 

[chscag]

Yes, but make a backup first to iTunes. I know it sounds drastic, but it seems that's what works. I do not see anywhere in iOS 13.3.1, where it has a setting for keeping the phone speaker on or off. The only way that choice comes up is when you're on the phone during a call.

 

[rainbowcat]

Thank you chsag. The phone is backed up, but I hope the photos on it are backed up too using iTunes?

 

[chscag]

I believe the photos will also be backed up but it's always best with photos and other valuable data to make sure you have an additional backup. I actually copy my valuable photos to DVDs in addition to backing them up on my iMac.

 

[IWT]

Thank you chsag. The phone is backed up, but I hope the photos on it are backed up too using iTunes?

The short answer is - Yes. Photos are backed up.

These two articles are confirmatory:

The Definitive Guide to iPhone Backup
Does backup in iTunes also backup picture… - Apple Community

If you import your pictures to the Photos app on a Mac, then it's a good idea to BU your Photos library to an External Hard Drive (EHD) as a bonus, as suggested by Admin chscag.

The Mac's Photos Library can be found by Opening Finder > Macintosh HD > Users > Your Name (House icon adjacent to it) > Pictures > Photos Library.photoslibrary (Then Copy/Paste to EHD)

Ian

 

[badshoehabit]

I believe the photos will also be backed up but it's always best with photos and other valuable data to make sure you have an additional backup. I actually copy my valuable photos to DVDs in addition to backing them up on my iMac.

Interested in this. Can you tell me how many images on what size DVD please?

 

[chscag]

Hi Sue:

You can easily fit hundreds and maybe even a thousand photos on a single 4.7GB DVD-R. Of course it's best to arrange them in folders according to subject otherwise it can become difficult to find something you may be looking for.

You probably already know this... but it's best NOT to use rewritable DVDs.

Some folks have said that DVDs and CDs deteriorate over time but I have not noticed that even with media that is 10 years or more old.

 

[rainbowcat]

Followed all the advice here, wiped the phone, etc. and the problem disappeared, but it's back again. What the heck? Could it be a connection with the ear bud jack? I'm using the ones that came with the phone.

 

[ferrarr]

It could be, sometimes the connections become jammed.

 

[rainbowcat]

It could be, sometimes the connections become jammed.

Is there a fix? New earphones?

 

[ferrarr]

Not if the connection inside the port is jammed. But, you may be able to clear whatever is jamming it?

 

[rainbowcat]

Not if the connection inside the port is jammed. But, you may be able to clear whatever is jamming it?

I don't see anything in the port, but I live in a sea of cat hair. Any suggestions as to how to clear it? Tried blowing in it; afraid to use hairdryer on it

 

[chscag]

Followed all the advice here, wiped the phone, etc. and the problem disappeared, but it's back again. What the heck? Could it be a connection with the ear bud jack? I'm using the ones that came with the phone.

How about when you don't use your ear buds? Does the same problem occur?

By the way, the ear buds that came with your 8 have the same connector as the charging cable. So, I don't see how the connector or connection could be defective somehow.

I'm going to try to do some more searching about your problem to see if others have the same thing happening.

Are you by chance using a protective covering on your phone's screen? There have been reports of certain protective screens causing problems with touch and tap.

 

[rainbowcat]

How about when you don't use your ear buds? Does the same problem occur?

By the way, the ear buds that came with your 8 have the same connector as the charging cable. So, I don't see how the connector or connection could be defective somehow.

I'm going to try to do some more searching about your problem to see if others have the same thing happening.

Are you by chance using a protective covering on your phone's screen? There have been reports of certain protective screens causing problems with touch and tap.

Thanks chscag. I don't use a covering on the screen. Charger works fine. And yes, same thing happens - default to speaker permanently - even without earphones.

 

[chscag]

Okay... this is what I found. Check the setting that's indicated here:

"Open the “Settings” app on the iPhone and head to “General”, then go to “Accessibility” Look under the Interaction settings for “Call Audio Routing” and tap on it.
Change the setting from “Automatic” (the default) to “Speaker” to make speakerphone the default for all calls made to and from the iPhone."

Make sure you haven't selected the above. If you have, the speakerphone will always be on.

Let me know.

 

[rainbowcat]

Okay... this is what I found. Check the setting that's indicated here:

"Open the “Settings” app on the iPhone and head to “General”, then go to “Accessibility” Look under the Interaction settings for “Call Audio Routing” and tap on it.
Change the setting from “Automatic” (the default) to “Speaker” to make speakerphone the default for all calls made to and from the iPhone."

Make sure you haven't selected the above. If you have, the speakerphone will always be on.

Let me know.

Under Audio Routing I have only 2 options: "Call Audio" & "Media Audio". Because I have hearing aids, and I don't stream from my phone, the only choice I have under those are "never hearing devices" or "always hearing devices" or "automatic". I don't want my phone ringing in my ear, so I have it set at "never". I have no other options. Could this be forcing the use of Speaker?

 

[chscag]

Yes, it's possible that's driving your speakerphone on rather than the default off. Try varying the settings to see if that works.

By the way, you never mentioned to us that you wear hearing aids. That definitely makes a difference because iOS software handles that in a different way.

Also it appears that the settings in iOS 13.4 have changed somewhat but it looks like you found the correct "Audio Routing" setting.

 

[rainbowcat]

Yes, it's possible that's driving your speakerphone on rather than the default off. Try varying the settings to see if that works.

By the way, you never mentioned to us that you wear hearing aids. That definitely makes a difference because iOS software handles that in a different way.

Also it appears that the settings in iOS 13.4 have changed somewhat but it looks like you found the correct "Audio Routing" setting.

Just got my extra ears! Some jerk threw a firecracker under my feet when I was in college, and there was no available tech until now. Turned off the "Hearing Aid compatibility" functionality, and hoping that will take care of it. I may have to remember to check on that often. Will let you know how it works, because I'm sure others with hearing issues will have the same problem, although it seems most people stream directly into their ears.

Thank you so much chscag! I can't add to your rep; I tried, but