iPhone 18 Pro Max audio popping/cracking with screen touches and haptics

I had the same. I did a hard reset, volume button up, volume button down and shutoff.

After this, the crack in the speaker is gone !

I too have this issue while on phone calls. It’s not my carrier, and there’s no popping or crackling on calls with AirPods. I can’t seem to fix and suspect it’s a hardware fault as the phone increases power to manage RF during a call. Just a guess. My phone is less than a week old, so it’s back to an Apple store to investigate options. A quality control problem…hope not, the phone is otherwise fine, but when talking on calls this inference is really noticeable.

Expressing or conveying auditory experiences effectively through these forums may be challenging. The underlying sound issue on your iPhone cannot be accurately diagnosed from a YouTube link. Factors such as your iPhone's specific sound settings, visual defects, and potential hardware problems cannot be assessed through this method. For more personalized and in-depth assistance, I recommend securing a Genius Bar Reservation and exploring the various support options provided by Apple.

Get a Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

When you encounter issues with your Apple devices, the Genius Bar at Apple Retail Stores is the go-to place for expert assistance. The Genius Bar is staffed by knowledgeable Apple employees, often referred to as "Geniuses," who can diagnose and resolve a wide range of hardware and software-related problems. To ensure personalized attention and a convenient visit, Apple provides the option to schedule a Genius Bar Reservation.

Contact Genius Bar.

Manage Reservations - My Reservations - Apple

I bought a iPhone 18 pro on release day and took it home to set it up and experienced a static/raspy noise when my phone is on full volume on calls or when I play music. Called Apple and they did a remote diagnosis everything passed so they said it could be hardware issue. So returned the phone next day. Asked at apple if anyone else has had this issue they said no. So I bought a new one took it home, set it up and guess what.. had the exact same issue. So I also returned that phone. I've been reading around and now people are saying Apple is aware of the issue and it may be a software bug but it's almost been 3 weeks. So now I'm waiting for it to be confirmed to see if I should purchase the phone for a third time

I found that Voice Isolation feature is not working properly. I got crackling noise during a phone call. Also nobody hears me when I speak in car connected via Bluetooth. I switched Voice Isolation to “automatic” and now I don’t watch those problems. You can try switch to “standard” as well. This setting should be switched during a phone call. Please google it how to diy.

I hope Apple takes into consideration this issue and fix it in the coming days.

Pre ordered and delivered on release day, noticed the crackling speaker issue too. Seems like the speaker is clipping. Most times the sound quality is very good, but, on the odd occasion it clips. Could be a software issue, the latest update didn't clear it. Although, the newest update has cleared the random phone shut down and reboot.

18pro. 512gb. Burgundy.

yes I do get the same issue! it happens randomly while I was scrolling instagram, threads maybe 1-2 times per day. I dont know how to record it bcs it randomly happens, but now I know actually a lot of ppl experiencing this! I hope this is just a software issue and not hardware🥲

I seem to have same problem the poping sound when I talk on the phone and the hard reset seems to be working but not permanently it comes back I’m not sold that’s it is hardware issue got my new iPhone 18pro max

i bought iPhone 18 pro a week after launching, at first nothing but the freeze and restart issue. After the update that fixed this issue i started to hear a popping sound through the upper speaker randomly during phone calls. Now after the update 27.2 the issue is still there. Totally random i cannot notice a pattern or a trigger. All i know is a restart makes it somehow less happening. With nothing officially said from apple side i am not sure is this a software or hardware issue.

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?

Hi! Thank you so much for the quick and detailed response, I really appreciate it!

I forgot to mention one important detail in my original post: I've already run Apple Diagnostics on the phone, and every single test passed with green checkmarks. According to the system, the hardware is completely healthy.

Thanks again for your help!

I really hope Apple will look for a solution for this problem. When im doing some notes, it pops really frequently. In a quiet room its very annoying. Im waiting a few days but if Apple remains silent, Im returning the phone.

I’m experiencing the same issue as well. It happens completely randomly, and I’m not sure what I should do about it. It’s also unclear whether this is a software or hardware issue.

If Apple doesn’t provide any information or clarification about this issue, I’ll return the phone and cancel the purchase.

I am having the same issue, but I found out the following:

• Front Camera is not affected
• Rear Camera is affected, but only with native camera app
• Rear Camera is not affected while recording Videos via e. g. WhatsApp

Anyone else recognizing the same behavior?

Just here to say I also have this issue. More or less noticeable on some days, but it’s there. I think I’ve read about some iPhone 17 users having this issue as well with ios 27, so we can only hope it is indeed a software problem.

I’m also having the same issue when trying to edit content for my business. I live 2 1/2 hours from an Apple Store and just spent a fortune on this phone. When is Apple going to release a statement and/or correct this issue.

yep, I get a crackling noise whilst on cellular phone calls super annoying

yes mines started today every call cracling and popping brand new iphone the last thing you expect from new expensive phon mine pro max 18

My phone started this cracling sound from earpeice speaker, with all loud noices

Just chiming in to say I’m also having this issue. It’s randomly happening, sometimes on a single tap and others on long contextual taps. Very annoying considering the phone is a week old.

Had it happen once. Freaked me out.

Every time I am scrolling it happens! Switching between airplane mode on and off several times in a row will eventually reproduce this issue

Same here, iPhone 18 pro 512GB. The clicking sounds...mechanical and it's random. Very annoying

Same problem here, didn’t find any solution. When apple will finally tell something about this problem!?

The crackling sound is really annoying during phone calls as well. Change the Mic mode to standard and doesn’t seem to be resolving. Hope Apple sorts this with an update asap.

Did you solve the issue? I have the same problem :(

Are you sure the crackling sound vanished? As i have the same problem and i already restarted my phone but the problem is still there.

Did you solve the issue as i am experiencing this crackling noise every time i call someone or receive a phone-call.

Does anyone had the cracking sound coming from the top speaker and managed to solve it? Thanks.

Same here but only with phone calls. The cracklings are quite loud, have to hold my phone further from my ear...really annoying. Hope there's a fix soon...starting to miss good ol' pro Max 14 :)

I'm getting the same crackly noise, whats the solution? the phone is so new

 thought I was the only one experiencing this issue. The cracking sound only happens when I'm on a call.

Hello, I’m in the same boat. Media sounds just fine it’s only on phone calls off speaker for me. Instagram calls come through just fine as well.