If you are using an iPhone, then there is a chance that your phone will hang up or mute during a call when held to the ear. This can be frustrating! But it’s not too difficult to fix. There are two solutions for this problem- one is temporary and the other permanent. The first solution is to simply use speakerphone mode from now on, but if you don’t want to deal with having to switch back and forth between modes, then read on for the second solution:
The reason why your phone hangs up or mutes when you hold it next to your ear has something do with how sound waves affect certain parts of the microphone inside of your device.
Tech Dictionary: Proximity Sensor
The proximity sensor is a part of the iPhone that detects when your hand is near to the phone.
On some occasions, the proximity sensor isn’t working at all and your device screen remains on while others (possibly because of a software bug that’s corrected).
This guide explains the most common reasons for why your iPhone hangs up or mutes during calls, and how you can fix the problem:
Update the Software in iPhone Update Software
Ensure your iPhone has the latest software update. You can find this information in Settings > General > Software Update
Remove any 3rd party cases
Some cases cause the problem of audible feedback during calls, so if you’re using a case that might be causing this issue, try replacing it with another.
Clean your Device
Remove the lint or gunk from near the proximity sensor. Keep your iPhone fully functional by keeping it well-cleaned.
Launch another app
If you’ve been experiencing a hang up or noise on your iPhone during calls, check to make sure that no other apps are running in the background. After making or receiving a phone call, press the home button and launch an innocuous app (such as the calculator).
Reset all settings
If your iPhone is having trouble staying connected with a call while you are holding it to your ear, this issue may happen. If resetting the phone restores an inactive sensor and enables voice or data flows again, you might be able to avoid experiencing any more issues than usual. Navigate to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings
Restore, but not from backup
It seems that bad holdover data from iPhone backups can cause iOS to hang up or mute during calls in some cases. Restoring as a new phone may resolve this issue. To do so, connect your iPhone or iPod touch to your computer, click “Restore” in iTunes, then choose “setup as new phone.”
Turning off proximity sensor on iPhone:
If the proximity sensor is stuck on, it may be interfering with your ability to use Siri or make a call. Make sure that you have not set this function off by following these steps:
- Go into Settings > General > Accessibility and tap “Siri” under Hearing. Under Choose Activation Method, select Touch instead of Proximity
- In Settings > Control Center, turn OFF Cover Screen While Ringer Off for access via Home Button in Lock Mode
