FaceTime is great but not always ideal to use in public — unless you have earphones handy or don’t mind everyone hearing your conversation!
Almost everyone who owns an Apple device has had trouble with their FaceTime volume at one point.
Usually, the problem is that the call is way too loud, even at the lowest volume, and they can’t turn it down without resorting to using earphones.
If you’re looking for a way to fix FaceTime volume, you’ve come to the right place. There are many simple things that you can try to fix FaceTime volume and never have this problem again.
How To Lower FaceTime Volume During a FaceTime Call
The first thing that you should try is using the volume buttons. You can use them on your Apple devices to lower or increase the volume.
Alternatively, you can ask Siri to lower the volume for you, which should reduce audio by at least 10 decibels.
If this doesn’t work, try ending the call and lowering your phone’s volume before redialing and starting another call.
However, it is common that your device shows FaceTime’s volume is at its lowest setting or that it can’t get lower. Don’t worry, there are still other ways to troubleshoot the issue, such as adjusting the settings.
If the volume isn’t lowering at all, it may be that your volume button is the issue and might need to be fixed.
How To Lower Your FaceTime Volume In The Settings App
One of the best places to go if you’re looking to fix FaceTime audio, and struggling to do it the easy way, is to go to the settings and change FaceTime audio settings from there.
In the Settings app, select “Sounds & Haptics,” then use the slider to lower the volume to your desired level. This is also where you would generally change your audio settings for your device.
Other Troubleshooting Methods
If you’re still struggling to fix your FaceTime volume after trying the first two methods, don’t fret! There are still a few others things you can try before you lose all hope.
Mute & Un-mute the call
Muting the call and then unmuting it can sometimes fix the FaceTime volume; all you have to do is tap the screen during the call, and when the FaceTime settings appear on the screen, you tap the microphone icon. Tap it again to unmute the call.
You can also change the FaceTime audio settings using your control center. Swipe up/Swipe down to reveal your control center during the FaceTime call, and tap on the microphone icon. You’ll see options to adjust the audio for the call.
Play Different Audio (Such as Spotify) Briefly to Reset Audio Settings
This “fix” sounds strange, but it’s worth considering.
If your FaceTime audio seems to randomly get too loud, sometimes you need to play a different audio source (such as Spotify or Apple Music) briefly to reset the volume. Play a song for a few seconds, and then close the music app. With any luck, the FaceTime volume should be restored to normal.
Although this is frustrating for the person on the other end of the call, it is usually a quicker fix than hanging up and then starting a new call.
- Alternatively, you can Screen Share briefly, and then end the Screen Share. This functions to “reset” your audio in the same way as playing music.
- Another trick, which works similarly, is to open the camera on Snapchat. Then close the camera, and your audio should be restored.
Restart the FaceTime app
This may be an annoying method to try, but you can end the call, close the app and then reopen the app and try that call again. You should be able to lower the volume if it isn’t at a more reasonable level when you reconnect your call.
Reboot the device
Restarting your Apple device can also resolve any issues you might face with any of your apps.
It’s straightforward to restart your device; regardless of your model, you can switch your phone off by going to the Settings app, then going to “General,” selecting “Shut Down,” and then dragging the slider when it appears on the screen.
To restart the phone, you follow the same steps below, but you press the buttons until your phone screen lights up and you see an Apple logo appear.
Device with Face ID – Press and hold the side button and one of the volume buttons simultaneously until the slider appears on the screen.
Device with Home Button – Press and hold the side button to make the slider appear on the screen.
Unfortunately, sometimes the device can be stubborn and not shut down as instructed. In this case, you might have to force restart the device.
Device with Face ID – Press the volume up button and quickly release it, then repeat with the volume down button. Now press and hold down the side button until your phone switches off and you see the Apple logo on your screen.
Device with Home Button (iPhone 7 and older)
- Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button simultaneously with the volume down button. Wait until your phone switches off and you see the Apple logo on your screen. Or:
- Press and hold down the Sleep/Wake button at the same time as the Home button until your phone switches off, and you see the Apple logo on your screen.
Check for an iOS update
Sometimes, when an Apple device isn’t doing what it’s supposed to, it can be a sign that your software needs to be updated because of a glitch, and this is very easy to check and do.
Go to the Settings app and “General,” then select “Software Update.” The system will check whether or not your phone is up-to-date and if there’s a new software update for you to download and install.
Close other apps
Other apps open while you’re on your call might interfere with the FaceTime app because they require so much processing power. Close all the other open apps and see if that allows you to lower the volume on your FaceTime call.
Check your internet connection
It’s a running joke with FaceTime calls that someone must have a poor connection, and it’s more than just a joke! If either party has a slow or poor internet connection, it can affect the volume and audio quality of the call.
Ensure both parties are on WiFi, as it’s more reliable than phone data. If both parties are on a WiFi network, they should try moving closer to the router or rejoining whatever network they use.
Reset to factory settings
This is pretty much the last resort that you can try if absolutely nothing else has worked to help fix the FaceTime volume on your device.
To do so, go to the Settings app and choose “General,” and then scroll down until you find “Transfer or Reset iPhone” select “Reset,” and you should see a pop-up. Choose “Reset All Settings,” and then you’ll be prompted to enter your passcode, after which you should select “Reset All Settings” again.
While this will restore your phone to its factory settings, none of your data will be affected or erased.
FAQs
None of the solutions are working; what should I do?
If you’ve tried everything in this guide and you’re still experiencing trouble, you might need to reach out to Apple Support or take your phone in-store so they can take a look at it.
Final Thoughts
Don’t panic if you’re struggling to lower your FaceTime volume. It can be fixed!
Many factors can affect how your iOS device works, and there’s no way of knowing what the issue is until you’ve done some troubleshooting.
It can be something pretty simple and easily fixed, or it might indicate a more significant problem with your device that needs to be addressed. Either way, it’s worth investigating for yourself and finding out.
