Headphone controls not working on iphone 16

I have an iphone 16 and have been using the audio controls via my headphones with no problem. It s an aux headphones and I ve been using apples 3.5mm to usb c adapter. I dont know when the problem started but I cant use the controls anymore. I tried my regular apple headphones wired with the same adapter the volume buttons work but I cant start stop change songs on those either. I thought the adapter was broken so I bought a new one and the trouble continues. Both headphones controls work with and without the adapter on my mac mini and on my macbook air so both the headphones and both the adapters new and old are actually working. Is this an ios issue. I updated my iphone to ios27. Does anybody else have this problem?

Posted on Oct 24, 2026 11:35 AM

1 reply

Community User

Oct 24, 2026 4:58 PM in response to turaç

Since both your adapters and headphones work on your Macs, the hardware is fine. This is typically an iOS audio-driver glitch or USB accessory permission setting.

Try these steps to fix it:

1. Force Restart your iPhone

A standard restart often leaves lingering driver glitches active. Force restarting resets the audio subsystem:

Press and quickly release Volume Up.
Press and quickly release Volume Down.
Press and hold the Side Power Button until the Apple logo appears, then release.

2. Check USB Accessory Lock Settings

If your iPhone locks, it may cut off input signals from USB-C accessories:

Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode.
Scroll down to Allow Access When Locked and make sure Accessories is turned ON.

3. Reset USB Audio Recognition

Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Headphone Safety > USB Audio Accessories.
Tap Forget All USB Audio Accessories.
Reconnect the USB-C adapter and tap Connect to Headphone when prompted.

4. Flip the USB-C Connector

Even though USB-C is symmetrical, the pin orientation for digital-to-analog audio signaling can occasionally misfire in iOS. Unplug the adapter, flip the connector 180 degrees, and plug it back in.