Some iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max owners report crackling, faint ticks or pops, and random clicking, often near the earpiece. A software issue is one possibility, but the cause has not been established, and Apple has not publicly confirmed a bug or a model-specific fix in the cited reports. The available accounts also do not show how common the sound is.
What iPhone 18 Pro owners are reporting
In a September 29, 2026 report, MacRumors described complaints from its forums and Reddit involving both iPhone 18 Pro sizes. Users variously called the sound “a crackle, a faint tick or pop, or random clicking,” and many said it seemed to come from the earpiece. Mashable reported similar “popping noises” on October 1. These are user descriptions, not an official diagnosis. MacRumors; Mashable via Yahoo Tech.
When the sound has been noticed
Accounts mention the sound during app use, while scrolling websites, when notifications arrive or the keyboard appears, and during cellular calls. Some users also associated it with toggling Airplane Mode or quickly changing brightness; others said it occurred consistently. Those circumstances vary and have not been verified as triggers, so they do not identify a cause.
Is it a software problem?
Software is possible, but the cited reports do not establish whether the cause is software, hardware, network-related, or something else. Mashable said it asked Apple for comment. It also relayed one user’s account that an Apple Store employee considered software a likely explanation; that is not an official Apple statement. The reports reviewed do not include a named Apple spokesperson or an official statement about this specific sound.
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- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
MacRumors noted that iOS 27.0.1 release notes did not mention a speaker fix and that some affected owners said the noise remained after updating. Mashable also described reports of the sound continuing after an update. These are early user accounts, not a controlled test of iOS 27.0.1, and they do not determine whether a later software change will help. MacRumors also reported that some owners said replacement phones made the same sound. That anecdote does not prove a software cause. MacRumors; Mashable via Yahoo Tech.
What to check if your iPhone makes the sound
Apple’s general speaker troubleshooting guidance suggests a few low-risk checks. These steps are not a confirmed fix for the iPhone 18 Pro reports:
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- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
- Check the openings. Make sure the speaker and receiver openings are not blocked or dirty. Remove the case and screen protector to see whether either is obstructing an opening.
- Clean gently if needed. Apple recommends a clean, dry, small soft-bristled brush for an opening. Avoid inserting objects or applying liquid.
- Try the sound controls. Move the Ringtone and Alerts slider and note whether the sound changes.
- Compare call audio. During a call, check whether the sound remains when you switch to speakerphone. Note whether it happens only on calls or also during other activities.
These are Apple’s general recommendations for distorted or missing sound, not a model-specific diagnosis. Apple also notes that crackling or static during calls can be related to network or reception. Apple Support: speaker troubleshooting.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When to contact Apple Support
If the sound persists after checking for obstructions and trying Apple’s basic sound checks, contact Apple Support or arrange an evaluation. Apple’s support page says, “If your device still has sound issues, you may need a service.” Describe when the sound occurs, whether it affects calls as well as other audio, and what checks you have tried; these observations can help explain the problem, but they are not a validated diagnostic test.
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- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro Max repair manual, published October 1, 2026, includes sound-related material and a top-speaker repair procedure. The presence of a repair procedure does not show that the reported crackling is a hardware failure or that replacing a speaker will resolve it. It is not a basis for attempting a do-it-yourself repair. Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max Repair Manual.
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