If you’re an iPhone or iPad user, you may have experienced the frustrating issue of your device getting stuck in headphone mode. This issue is characterized by the headphone icon appearing on the screen, even when no headphones are connected. Furthermore, you’ll likely notice that there is no sound for calls, apps, music, or videos, and when you adjust the volume, the screen always displays “Headphones” instead of “Volume.” It appears that the device believes headphones are plugged in when they are not.
Users have reported various causes of this problem, including issues with iOS updates and the abrupt unplugging of headphones during calls or video chats. However, the good news is that there are solutions to this issue.
One potential solution is to restart your device, which can reset the system and eliminate any temporary bugs or glitches causing the problem. Another solution involves checking for debris or lint in the headphone jack, which can trigger your device’s sensors and cause headphone mode. Finally, disabling Bluetooth on your device can also resolve the issue, as Bluetooth connectivity can interfere with audio output.
1 Exit iPhone or iPad from headphone mode with a restart
If you’re having trouble with the volume bar on your iPhone or iPad showing “Headphones” instead of “Volume,” restarting your device might help. To do so, press and hold the Power button until the Power off bar appears on the screen. Then, swipe right to turn off your device and wait for at least 20 seconds before turning it back on by pressing the Power button. After your device restarts, check the volume bar to see if it now displays “Volume” instead of “Headphones.” If it does, the issue has been resolved, and you can use your device as usual.
2 Plug the headphones back into your iPhone/iPad
If your cell phone is not recognizing your headphones correctly and is stuck in headphone mode, there is a simple trick that may help resolve the issue. Instead of rebooting your device, try reconnecting the headphones to your device and then unplugging them again. After doing so, check if your iPhone makes a sound without the headphones. If it doesn’t, repeat the process several times by plugging and unplugging the headphones around 7-8 times. If your iPhone or iPad is still stuck in headphone mode, it’s time to move on to the next troubleshooting method to resolve the issue.
3 Use a Bluetooth speaker to turn off the headphone mode
If you’re struggling with your iPhone or iPad not recognizing your headphones properly, using a Bluetooth speaker or headphones might be a useful fix. To begin, pair your device with the Bluetooth device and start playing a song. While the music is playing, disable the Bluetooth connection. Some users have reported that their iPhone or iPad speakers begin playing the song after the Bluetooth connection is disabled, effectively solving the issue. Try this method out to see if it works for you.
4 Turn on/off flight mode
To disable the headphone mode on your iPhone or iPad, there is a simple workaround that involves toggling the Airplane mode on and off. First, access Control Center or Settings and activate Airplane mode. Allow approximately 15 minutes to pass before deactivating Airplane mode. Finally, check whether you can hear audio from the device’s speaker. By following these steps, you may be able to successfully turn off headphone mode on your iPhone or iPad.
5 Adjust call audio output
The routing of call audio is responsible for determining the location from which audio is heard during a phone call or FaceTime audio. To exit headphone mode on your iPhone/iPad, it is necessary to modify this setting.
To adjust the call audio output setting, navigate to Settings, then select General followed by Accessibility. Locate the Call Audio Output option and tap on it. If a different option is already selected, choose Automatic instead.
If the setting is already on Automatic, change it to Speaker. After making this change, initiate a phone call and test whether the speaker is now functioning properly. By following these steps, you can effectively adjust the call audio routing and resolve any issues related to headphone mode.
6 Start an audio recording
If you’re experiencing the frustrating issue of being stuck in headphone mode on your iPhone/iPad, recording an audio file can be a helpful solution. You can achieve this by utilizing the built-in Voice Memos app to create a voice memo, or by recording a video using the camera function. Alternatively, any recording app of your choice can be used to capture an audio recording. Once you’ve made the recording, the speaker on your device should return to normal function. This simple method can effectively resolve the problem of being stuck in headphone mode on your iPhone or iPad.
7 Play music with different apps
If you’re having trouble with a malfunctioning speaker on your iPhone or iPad, there’s a simple solution that may help. Start by connecting your headphones or earbuds to the device and playing music through a platform like iTunes or Apple Music. If your device is locked, unlock it and exit the Music app. Then unplug your headphones or earbuds and relaunch the music app to play a song. This method has worked for many users and the speaker on the device should start functioning properly after these steps
8 Clean headphone jack
8.1 Headphone jack clogged with dust/dirt
Before attempting to troubleshoot any sound issues with your iPhone or iPad, it’s important to first inspect the headphone jack for any debris or blockages. Even the smallest specks of dust or dirt can prevent sound from transmitting properly. To thoroughly clean the jack, you may want to gather a few tools such as a cotton swab, toothbrush, toothpick, needle, pen, or interdental brush. Take care when removing any debris and avoid applying too much pressure or causing any damage to the jack. Additionally, remember to turn off your device before cleaning the jack. Alternatively, some users prefer to use compressed air cleaners or USB vacuums to blow away any obstructions. Once you’ve completed the cleaning process, turn on your device and test the sound without headphones to see if the issue has been resolved.
8.2 iPhone headphone jack water damage
Exposure to water can damage the headphone jack of an iPhone, causing it to produce sound only through the headphones. This issue can occur even if you thought you had protected the device from water damage, as humidity and sweat can still lead to the jack becoming damp and stuck in headphone mode. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to dry out the jack and restore normal sound function.
To begin, take a cotton swab and gently twist it in the headphone jack to remove any remaining moisture. Then, use a hair dryer on low heat to blow out any remaining moisture, being sure to keep the device at a safe distance from the hair dryer to avoid overheating and causing further damage.
Once you have removed as much moisture as possible, turn off your device and place it in a rice bag for at least 12 hours to continue the drying process. It’s important to be careful when using a hair dryer and to avoid overheating your device, as this can cause irreparable damage. With these steps, you can successfully dry out the headphone jack and restore sound to your device.
9 Backup iPhone/iPad via iTunes
If you’re experiencing headphone mode issues on your iPhone or iPad, don’t worry! There’s a solution that has worked for many users. By following these simple steps, you may be able to resolve the problem:
First, open iTunes on your Mac or Windows PC. Then, connect the device that’s stuck in headphone mode to your computer. Finally, select the option to back up your device. Once the backup is complete, check to see if the speaker is now functioning properly. With any luck, this method will successfully turn off headphone mode on your device.
10 Reset Backup to iCloud & iPhone/iPad
You have the option to manually backup your iPhone or iPad using iCloud.
To do so, navigate to Settings, select your Apple ID, then tap on iCloud and select iCloud Backup. If the option is turned off, enable it and click on Back Up Now. Once the backup is finished, check if your device’s speaker is working. If it’s still not functioning correctly, proceed to General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings to reset your iPhone or iPad. After resetting, restore the most recent iCloud backup you created.
In case you encounter issues with iCloud backup not functioning properly, here are some troubleshooting steps you can take. Firstly, ensure that your device is connected to a stable and reliable internet connection. Additionally, check that your iCloud storage has enough space to accommodate the backup. If these steps do not resolve the issue, try restarting your device, signing out and back into iCloud, or resetting your network settings.
11 Fix iPhone/iPad stuck in headphone mode in 1-click
If you’re still struggling to get your iPhone or iPad out of headphone mode, it could be a software glitch. But fear not, Passver’s iOS System Recovery is here to help. This professional software can resolve various software issues and easily fix headphone mode without compromising your device’s data. With Passver, you don’t have to stress about resolving system problems on your own or losing data after recovery.
To get started with Passver’s iOS System Recovery, follow these simple steps. First, download and install the software on your Mac or PC. Once installed, open the program and click “iOS System Recovery” followed by “Start.” Next, select “Standard Mode” and click “Confirm.” Then, follow the on-screen instructions to put your device into recovery mode. If you need further guidance, you can watch the instructional video to guide you through the process.
Once your device is in recovery mode, the program will display information about your device, including its type, model, and iOS version. Double-check that the information is correct, and then click “Repair” to start the process. This may take some time, so be patient as your device reboots automatically. Wait until you see the “Repair Complete” message before disconnecting your device. Your iPhone or iPad should now be out of headphone mode, and you can resume using it normally.
12 Other Tricks to Turn Off Headphone Mode on iPhone/iPad
In addition to the aforementioned methods, there are several other tricks that users have shared on various forums which could be useful for resolving the issue of your iPhone or iPad being stuck in headphone mode.
One such trick involves calling someone using your headphones and tapping the “Speaker” option on the screen. After hanging up, switch your iPhone to silent mode and then turn it off. Another effective trick is to activate silent mode using the Ring/Silent switch, and then press the volume buttons. This can often help to switch headphone mode back to the volume mode. Alternatively, try answering a call using your headset, disconnecting and reconnecting the headphones to your device several times, and then hanging up the phone.
It’s also important to note that there may be other reasons why your iPhone or iPad may not produce any sound. so it’s worth investigating those possibilities as well.
