429 Too Many Requests

I got the 18 pro on Friday 18th release day. I’m having the same crackling noise when on normal phone calls. I’ve not noticed when using the speaker for anything else. I am yet to try on a WhatsApp phone call…. I’m not sure if it’s a hardware problem or software. If there’s no solution soon my plan is to return the handset on the 14 day open box return policy and get a new one just for safety!

Hardware or Software? The fact that a restart temporarily fixes it strongly points to a software buffer, audio driver, or processing glitch in iOS 27 rather than a blown speaker. 

What I would do is report this to Apple as feedback. Apple is not actively participating on this user to user support forums so please use this link

Product Feedback - Apple

I think this issue is related to car bluetooth pairing (It Happening to me when I connect to my car bluetooth and make A call)

Restarting the phone solve the issue but whenevr I connect to my car bluetooth and make a call it happent again iPhone 18 PM IOS 27.2

Can any one confirm?

Same issue here. Seems that this only occurs when on 100% volume. Not when few steps down. But the cracks are really loud when they do occur.

Ensure you install 27.0.1 or later

Same issue on iPhone 18 pro max. Only on cellular calls. I tried apple support they told me to reset network settings. I did and phone work fine for one day and then same crackling sound came back on cellular calls… really hope they fix this issue by software update… 

I haven’t even had my phone a month and it has nonstop had crackle and pop sounds whenever I make a call or I get a call. I first thought it was because of the T-Mobile network, but now I realize it is happening on Verizon callers as well. Anyone that calls, I will hear a popping, cracking sound when I am speaking to them through the Iphone’s actual earpiece. I have reported this situation to Apple. It doesn’t seem like anything is going to be done. This is very upsetting because I purchased the Apple iPhone 18 Pro with 512, and also purchased the extended Apple care warranty, prepaid a year in advance for that. I paid over $1600, and the phone has not worked since day one with the call feature. Everything else seems to be working fine, with the exception of actually making a phone call and hearing the crackle and pop sounds when speaking. It is very annoying. I love Apple products, and I have been a big Apple fan since they started. I hope they get this situation rectified soon. It is very disappointing to no longer be able to hear a conversation without having crackle and pops in the background.

Same issues on iPhone 18 ProMax. Very low speaker quality, tinny sound, squelching sounds. Sounds like an entry level android. Side by side next to my 16 ProMax the sound quality is appalling. What downgrade.

I experience the same thing. I have a 18 promax and changed to a second device of the same only to find out it happens in the new device also. It’s really frustrating especially considering the price you pay for it. The sound can get loud and sharp that it can be painful to speak to someone on the phone. problem is , Apple isn’t saying a single word on this. And the 14 days return period for the second device is about to end. I’m really not sure how to go about it. For premium priced device, you expect basic stability. I hope they’ll atleast give us an assurance that this is a software thing and can be fixed with an update. What if it’s caused by the design flaws?

Same issues here

It happens sometime, not always,very annoying

It only happens when you put phone next to ears, not "speaker mode".

I have the same issue only when making calls through the normal ear speaker, it pops and sometimes it could hurt from how sharp the crack sound is

New iPhone 18 pro - get a weird clicking noise on ear when talking on phone. Turn the volume down and it stops

Same as me. Doesnt happen in speaker mode.

the exact same problem here ( iPhone 18 pro 512 gb) and a network instability for around 5 seconds at the beginning of almost any call.

Also experiencing the same issue on Iphone 18 pro max, crackling and popping sounds on phone calls. Does not happen on speaker phone

Hi Shanz005,

I too am having the same issue. I have tried trouble shooting and also followed wheelienicks advice on my own post but still happening.

Glad to see im not the only one with the issue, I purchased the 18 pro max.

I have an 18 pro max and experienced crackling when I was in a video call in safari. I tried the same call in chrome and had the same issue. Whenever the other party spoke, there was a crackling or popping noise that followed his speech pattern. I haven’t heard this during any of my phone calls, music, nor instagram or YouTube apps. It was using a 3rd party website so I tested zoom. Using both chrome and safari produced the same results. I couldn’t test the zoom app.

Having a similar problem. Call quality is now really muffled on speaker phone and getting a squeaking/ringing feedback noise coming through. My partner updated to the iPhone 18 pro max and I updated my iPhone 16 pro max to iOS 27 and then the problems started on calls. Not noticed in any other apps as yet. It sounds like a software update issue from what everyone is saying. Really hope they patch this soon as it’s really affecting calls

I also have this issue on a black iPhone 18 pro 256gb model. I took the phone in to Apple but, when the Apple team ran a diagnostic, they couldn’t identify the issue. I am currently on the latest software release.

have the exact same problem. It's my first iPhone and I'm thinking about returning it. The embarrassing phone calls are probably the phone's main feature. And at this price, I'd like to be able to just talk on it, but the sound is so rough and suddenly loud, then quiet again.

I bought iPhone 18 pro and straight away I noticed that there is crackling noise when the ring notifications comes on. At very low volume there is significant noticeable static noise which is very annoying. Does anyone else has this issue. I tried all the solution offered on line with no effect. The problem still persists.

Same issue here on my iPhone 18 Pro Max (iOS 27.2).

I hear crackling/popping from the top speaker (the one you hold to your ear) during regular cellular calls. It doesn't happen on every call, but it keeps coming back.

I hope Apple acknowledges it and ships a fix in an upcoming iOS update.

Same issue here. New iphone18 pro max since first day using already have this issue with iOS 27.0.1 already having this issue. Now update to iOS 27.2 same issue happened as well. The new software did not solve the issue at all~!!

Same here. There’s a strange noise, almost like metal rubbing against glass. I’m really disappointed that I haven’t been able to find a solution. They insist on keeping my phone for three days just to diagnose the problem. Their after-sales service here in Greece is extremely disappointing.

Thanks for the reply…

I am also experiencing popping/crackle noise during phone calls through the earpiece of the phone during calls. Brand new iPhone 18 pro, fully updated.

I am also having the same issue. Should I return the phone? Or is it something an update can fix?

I'm having the same issue on an preordered iphone 18 pro max while i'm on the phone with people not on speaker.

Annoying. Hopefully something that can be patched. Did Apple adress it somewhere?

My iPhone 16 has been doing it since the ios27 update

I am facing same issue in my 18 pro max.