Instantly fix silent audio issues on iPhone with this setting

Examples of silent voice calls using headphones paired with an iPhone

Over the past few months, many people have reached out to me complaining about ongoing issues pairing Bluetooth headsets with the iPhone and other Apple devices. However, one of the biggest misconceptions concerns audio routing during voice and FaceTime calls. This is because it has nothing to do with whether headphones or hearing aids are paired.

When I bought my first iPhone, the biggest frustration for me was answering calls while using my Bose QuietComfort 35 II connected to the device – which was not the case with my Google Pixel 5 or Pixel 6 Pro. A classic example: my iPhone was in my backpack and a call came in. My first reaction was to answer the call on the Apple Watch. Instead of routing the sound to the connected headphones, it defaulted to the Apple Watch speaker.

Another constant habit was using headphones while working on the computer. Since my iPhone was on my desk at work, I usually answered calls directly on my phone, which by default routed the sound to the iPhone speaker. The same thing happened when I held the phone in my hand.

What is the reason for a silent voice call when headphones are connected?

As you may have noticed, this is not a pairing issue, but a system configuration issue. In default mode, audio forwarding on voice calls is set to “automatic.” That is, the sound is forwarded to the device you answer the call on. If it’s the Apple Watch, the sound comes through the Apple Watch; if it’s the iPhone, it’s forwarded to the phone’s speaker, and so on.

How to fix silent voice calls on headphones paired with an iPhone?

Now we come to the solution part. If you want the call to always be forwarded to your headset, regardless of which device you answer the call on, there is a special setting for this in Accessibility. To do this, follow the following path:

1. Open the System settings on your iPhone.
2. Navigate to Accessibility Possibility.
3. Choose Physical and motor Category and then click Touch.
4. Scroll down the page until you find the Call audio routing Possibility.
5. Choose Bluetooth headphones.
6. Exit Settings to save your changes.

That’s it! Now the audio of all your calls will be routed to your headset by default. When you are not using the headset, the call will be routed to the device you answer the call on.

Another solution to fix silent voice call issues: Balance volume

If changing the Call Audio Forwarding settings didn’t fix the silent voice calls on your headsets, there may be other causes such as unbalanced audio channels. So you may find that you are only wearing one side of the earbuds with the volume at a lower level, so also check that the volume is centered between the left and right channels by following the steps below.

1. Go to Settings on your iPhone.
2. Choose Accessibility.
3. Beat Audio and video.
4. Search balance (slider) and set it to 0.
5. Exit to save changes.

For some people this may seem quite logical, but for others it is a source of frustration and dissatisfaction, especially with third-party headphones such as Bose, Sony or Sennheiser used in conjunction with the iPhone. Below I share two more tutorials to improve your experience with your Bluetooth headphones:

Have you ever had problems with silent calls, or do you know someone who has? I hope I’ve helped you better understand how certain system settings can make it easier to use peripherals with your iPhone and other Apple devices.