Sienna Rhodes
Many users have reported issues with the audio quality of FaceTime calls when using AirPods. Common problems include muffled or robotic-sounding audio, low volume, and static noise. In some cases, the audio output may switch from AirPods to the phone speaker during a call, causing inconvenience and potentially disrupting others nearby. These issues may be attributed to software bugs, device compatibility, or specific features like spatial audio and head-tracking. While some workarounds have been suggested, such as adjusting settings or using alternative devices, a definitive solution to ensure high-quality FaceTime audio with AirPods is yet to be found.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sound Quality | Muffled, robotic, laggy, low, static noise |
| Battery Life | 30 minutes of FaceTime drains 20% of battery |
| Spatial Audio | Available on supported models and works with AirPods (3rd generation), AirPods Pro (all models), and AirPods Max |
| Voice Isolation Mode | Available on supported models, prioritizes your voice and blocks out ambient noise |
| Wide Spectrum Mode | Available on supported models, allows your voice and all surrounding sounds to be heard |
| Head-Tracked Spatial Audio | Dynamic head-tracking makes the other person's voice move from side to side as you turn your head |
| Call Audio Routing | Ensure Bluetooth Headset is selected under Accessibility > Touch settings to route audio to AirPods |
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What You'll Learn
AirPods Pro Gen 2 poor call quality
Many users have reported issues with the audio quality of AirPods Pro Gen 2 during FaceTime calls. Some users have described the audio as "muffled", "robotic", "laggy", and "garbled". This issue seems to occur approximately every 2 to 10 seconds, lasting for about half a second to one second. The problem appears to be specific to FaceTime, as users have not reported similar issues with regular phone calls or other apps such as WhatsApp or Messenger.
Some users suspect that the problem may be related to software, firmware, or Bluetooth connectivity. It is worth noting that some users have tried updating their firmware to the latest version but have not resolved the issue. Others have suggested that the problem could be related to the iPhone model being used or the iOS version.
To troubleshoot this issue, users can try the following:
- Switch to standard mode during calls instead of using Auto or Voice Isolation modes.
- Turn off all Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) settings to better gauge the volume of your voice in different environments.
- Test the AirPods Pro Gen 2 with other devices, such as a laptop, to determine if the issue is specific to a particular device.
- Contact Apple Support for further assistance, as they may be able to offer additional solutions or suggest a replacement if the issue is due to a defect.
It is important to note that not all users are experiencing poor call quality with the AirPods Pro Gen 2. Some users have reported fantastic sound quality, especially when using the new adaptive mode and voice isolation mode. However, for those experiencing issues, it can be frustrating and impact the overall usability of the device.
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Muffled sound on FaceTime calls
Several factors can contribute to muffled sound on FaceTime calls, including unstable networks, network bandwidth limitations, faulty device hardware, software glitches, background noise, and more.
If you're experiencing muffled sound on FaceTime calls with your AirPods, there are a few potential fixes you can try. Firstly, ensure that your AirPods are properly connected to your device and that the correct microphone and speaker are selected in the FaceTime settings. You can access these settings by tapping or clicking on the microphone and speaker icons within the FaceTime call interface.
Another factor to consider is background noise. If you're in a noisy environment, your microphone might pick up ambient sounds, leading to audio issues. Try moving to a quieter space or enabling the Voice Isolation feature, which is available on iPhone XR, XS, or newer models, as well as supported iPads and Mac models from 2018 onwards. Voice Isolation prioritises your voice and blocks out background noise.
Additionally, check if your device software is up to date. Sometimes, updating your device software can resolve audio issues. You can also try restarting FaceTime or rebooting your device.
If none of these solutions work, you may want to reach out to Apple Support for further assistance in troubleshooting the issue.
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FaceTime audio settings
There are a few audio settings available for FaceTime calls that can be modified to enhance your calling experience. These settings are available on both iPhone and Mac.
Firstly, you can adjust the volume of your microphone and speakers. To change the microphone volume on a Mac, go to the Apple menu, choose System Settings, click on Sound in the sidebar, select Output & Input on the right, click on Input, and finally, drag the "Input volume" slider. To change the volume of the speakers, click on the menu bar or Control Center and drag the slider to adjust the volume. On an iPhone, you can simply adjust the volume using the volume buttons.
Secondly, you can choose from three different microphone modes: Standard, Wide Spectrum, and Voice Isolation. Standard is the default setting, which offers balanced sound and is ideal for everyday use. Wide Spectrum includes more background noise in the call, making the audio sound more natural. This is a good option if you want to include background excitement, such as during a birthday party. Voice Isolation blocks out background noise and prioritizes your voice, making it perfect for noisy environments when you need a clear conversation. To enable Voice Isolation during a call, open the Control Center, tap Mic Mode, and select Voice Isolation.
Additionally, you can enable Spatial Audio on supported AirPods models, including AirPods (3rd generation), AirPods Pro (all models), and AirPods Max. Spatial Audio makes it seem like the people you're calling are in the room with you, as their voices sound like they're coming from the direction in which each person is positioned on the screen.
To improve call quality, you can also try using the built-in microphone on your device instead of AirPods, as some users have reported better sound quality without AirPods.
If you're experiencing poor audio quality specifically with AirPods Pro Gen 2, it may be a software issue. Updating your device to the latest firmware version might help resolve the problem.
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Head-tracked spatial audio
To enable head-tracked spatial audio, your AirPods must be connected to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings and tap on the name of your AirPods. From there, you can turn on Spatial Audio. On your Mac, click on the AirPods icon in the menu bar and follow the same steps.
Once Spatial Audio is turned on, you can also enable head tracking. This feature uses head tracking technology to make the audio sound like it is coming from your device, even as you move your head. To enable head tracking on your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Accessibility > AirPods, tap on the name of your AirPods, and turn on "Follow [device]." On Apple TV 4K, go to Settings > Accessibility > AirPods and turn on "Center Audio on TV" to enable head tracking.
It is worth noting that some users have reported that head-tracked spatial audio can be distracting when listening to music, as the sound moves dramatically with head movements. However, others appreciate the feature, especially when watching TV or movies. Ultimately, the preference for head-tracked spatial audio varies among individuals, and Apple provides the option to turn it on or off to suit personal preferences.
Additionally, Apple offers Personalized Spatial Audio, which uses the TrueDepth camera on your iPhone to create a profile tailored to your listening experience. This feature further enhances the spatial audio by customizing it to match your unique way of hearing sound.
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AirPods not working during FaceTime calls
There are several reasons why AirPods may not work properly during FaceTime calls. Some users have reported poor sound quality, with robotic or muffled voices, and laggy or disconnected audio. In some cases, the issue may be specific to FaceTime, with no problems encountered during regular phone calls or when using other apps such as WhatsApp for calls.
One possible cause of these issues could be the macOS version, as older versions may not effectively handle the sending and receiving of microphone input and sound output simultaneously. Updating to the latest iOS version might help resolve this issue. Additionally, switching to the built-in microphone during FaceTime calls can be a temporary solution until updates are installed.
Another issue could be with the AirPods microphone, where the caller cannot hear the user, specifically when answering FaceTime calls. In this case, changing the audio settings during the call from AirPods to speaker and then back to AirPods can resolve the problem. Alternatively, changing the audio output to "Bluetooth Headset" may also help.
In some instances, the problem may lie with the AirPods hardware. If multiple pairs of AirPods exhibit the same issue, it is recommended to get them replaced.
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Frequently asked questions
The issue could be due to a software bug. Try updating your AirPods to the latest firmware version. If the problem persists, contact Apple Support.
Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch and make sure that under Call Audio Routing, you have Bluetooth Headset selected.
This could be due to a software issue. Try switching to your built-in microphone or hanging up and calling again.
This is likely due to head-tracked spatial audio. To turn it off, open Control Center, touch and hold the volume control, then tap Off or Fixed instead of Head Tracked.
While some users have reported issues with audio quality on FaceTime with AirPods, others have found the sound quality to be better than EarPods. To ensure the best audio quality on FaceTime with AirPods, make sure you have the latest firmware version installed and that your settings are optimized for call quality.
