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To make an iPhone call louder, press the side Volume Up button while the call is active. The change applies to the audio destination in use—such as the iPhone receiver, speaker, or connected device—not automatically to your ringtone or media volume.

Raise the volume while the call is active

  1. Start or answer the call.

  2. While the other person is speaking, press the side Volume Up button several times.

  3. Listen for the change and adjust again as needed.

Apple’s iPhone call guide directs users to press the volume buttons on the side of the iPhone to change call volume. Do this during the call: the buttons adjust the audio currently in use.

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Why the volume buttons may seem to change the wrong thing

The side buttons are context-sensitive. During a call, they adjust call audio; when no audio is playing, they can adjust the ringer and alert volume. The Change with Buttons setting controls whether the buttons can change alert volume. Apple explains this behavior in its iPhone volume guidance.

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Check where the call audio is going

If raising the volume does not help, check the call’s audio destination. Tap Audio on the call screen and choose an available option, such as iPhone (the receiver), Speaker, or a connected Bluetooth device. To return to the receiver, select iPhone if it appears in the destination list. The available choices depend on what is connected and configured.

Call audio routing can also be configured for speaker, a Bluetooth headset, or a hearing device under Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Call Audio Routing. See Apple’s call audio routing instructions.

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Settings that may help in specific situations

Supported Apple or Beats headphones

If you are listening through supported Apple or Beats headphones, Headphone Accommodations can amplify soft sounds and can be applied to phone calls. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual > Headphone Accommodations, turn on the feature, and enable Phone. It applies to supported headphones, not the iPhone’s built-in receiver. Apple lists the supported devices and options in its Headphone Accommodations guide.

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Phone Noise Cancellation on iPhone 12 and earlier

For receiver listening in a noisy environment, check Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual > Phone Noise Cancellation. Apple says this feature is available and on by default on iPhone 12 and earlier. It may help in some environments, but it is not a guaranteed volume fix. Details are in Apple’s audio and visual accessibility guidance.

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If the other person is still hard to hear

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