Why Can’t Callers Hear Me On My AirPods? (Easy Fix)

If callers can’t hear you on your AirPods, there are a few easy fixes, including tweaking your app settings, cleaning the Airpods’ microphones, and updating your apps and/or OS to the latest version.

However, there are other potential causes for this problem, and we’re going to explore some easy fixes for each of them.

Update Your iPhone’s and Calling Application’s Software Version

The first thing you need to do when callers can’t hear you on your AirPods is to update your iOS version, as well as the calling application’s software version.

To check for updates on your iPhone, follow these steps:

  • Go to Settings
  • Click on “General” and select “Software Update”
  • If there’s an update available, you’ll be prompted to download and install it

Once you’ve made sure that your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS, check if your third party calling application is updated by doing the following:

  • On your iPhone, open the App Store
  • Click on your profile picture
  • Scroll down in the menu that appears until you find the app
  • Tap on the “Update” button

Clean Your AirPods’ Microphones

If callers can’t hear you on your AirPods, there’s a good chance that your AirPods’ microphones are dirty and need to be cleaned. You can spray a q-tip with 70% isopropyl alcohol and gently clean the microphone grills at the bottom of each AirPod and see if it fixes the problem.

Ensure Your AirPods Are Set as the Primary Microphone

Sometimes, during a call, your iPhone may fail to detect your AirPods and use the built-in microphone for voice input. To check if your AirPods are set as the primary microphone, look at the call interface during calls. Tap on the audio circle and choose your AirPods to fix this problem.

Use Only One AirPod

If there’s a hardware problem with one of your AirPods’ microphones, you might have issues making calls with them. To test that your microphones are working properly, try using one AirPod at a time during calls. If callers can’t hear you only when you put on the left or right AirPod, you’re most likely dealing with a hardware problem.

However, before assuming that one of your microphones is broken, check your AirPods’ settings and ensure that the “auto-switch microphone” feature is enabled. You can access this setting by opening the “Bluetooth” menu and tapping on the “i” icon next to your AirPods’ name. Alternatively, you can set your AirPods to only use the left or right microphone to test each AirPod separately. 

Disable Automatic Ear Detection

Automatic Ear Detection is a feature that lets you use your AirPods quickly by simply putting them on. The built-in sensors will automatically detect that the AirPods are in your ears and switch to them as your primary microphone and audio output source.

However, as convenient as it sounds, Automatic Ear Detection may not always function as it should, especially if there’s something with the sensors inside your AirPods. This can make it challenging for you to make calls.

To disable Automatic Ear Detection, follow these steps:

  • Go to Bluetooth settings
  • Click on the “i” icon next to your AirPods name
  • Toggle “Automatic Ear Detection” off

Ensure That Your AirPods Are Charged

Sometimes, callers don’t hear you when you use your AirPods simply because they’re out of charge. You can check your AirPods’ battery percentage using the batteries widget on your iPhone. 

Just open the charging case’s lid and your phone will display the battery percentage for each AirPod, as well as the charging case.

Reset Your Bluetooth Connection

Sometimes, Bluetooth disturbances happen due to interference with other Bluetooth devices around you, which may also lead to poor call quality with your AirPods. Try turning Bluetooth off, then back on again, and see if it fixes the problem.

Reset Your AirPods

Another way to tackle the poor microphone input on your AirPods is to reset them. Here’s how to do it:

  • Open Bluetooth settings on your iPhone
  • Tap on the “i” next to your AirPods
  • Click on “Forget This Device”
  • Open the lid and hold the pairing button on your charging case until it starts flashing white
  • A prompt will appear on your iPhone’s screen
  • Tap on “Pair”

Summary

That was a detailed walkthrough of the common reasons why callers can’t hear you on your AirPods, as well as some easy fixes to try.

In most cases, updating your device’s software, resetting the Bluetooth connection, and setting your AirPods as the primary microphone should fix the problem.

However, if none of these worked, and resetting and charging your AirPods doesn’t help much either, you’re probably dealing with a hardware problem. In that case, contacting Apple Support for a replacement would be your best bet.

Brian Clark

Brian Clark

I’ve been a writer with Musician Wave for six years, turning my 17-year journey as a multi-instrumentalist and music producer into insightful news, tutorials, reviews, and features.

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