Short answer
Check the silent switch, volume and Bluetooth output, restart and clean the speaker grilles gently. If calls are quiet or the mic doesn't work on any app, the phone needs a hardware check.
No sound is often a setting. Muffled sound is often dirt. Only after both should you suspect hardware.
No sound at all
- Flip the ring/silent switch (or check Action Button) and raise volume.
- Open Control Center and make sure the audio isn't going to AirPods or a car.
- Turn off Do Not Disturb and Focus modes.
- Restart the phone and update iOS.
- Test with headphones; if they work but the speaker doesn't, the speaker may be faulty.
Muffled or crackling sound
- Remove the case and screen protector covering the earpiece.
- Clean the speaker grille with a soft dry brush; don't use sharp objects.
- Check Settings › Accessibility › Audio & Visual for Phone Noise Cancellation.
- Dust and sand are common in the UAE; clean regularly.
People can't hear me
- Test each microphone: record a video, a voice memo and make a speakerphone call.
- Clean the mic holes at the bottom and near the camera.
- Check Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone for app permissions.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my iPhone stuck in headphone mode?
Lint in the port or a Bluetooth connection can fool the phone. Clean the port and restart.
Can water damage the speaker?
Yes. Liquid exposure often causes muffled or crackling audio.