11 Ways to Improve Call Quality on Your iPhone

Turn on VoLTE

VoLTE (or Voice over LTE) is a feature that allows voice call data to move through LTE, rather than the traditional voice network. It's a good idea to make sure this setting is enabled.

1. Head to Settings.
2. Cellular.
3. Cellular Data Options.
4. Then select Enable LTE (there may be another settings menu here depending on your provider, just look for the Enable LTE option wherever you can find it).
5. Then make sure the option for Voice & Data is enabled. This option may not be available for everyone.

Disable Noise Cancellation

As we mentioned, iPhones have excellent noise cancellation and isolation features. However, depending on the environment, these features may actually do more harm than good to your calls. If you're noticing a lot of problems with people not being able to hear you, head to:

1. Settings
2. Accessibility
3. And then look for the Noise Cancellation option.
4. Turn it off to see if this improves the quality of your calls.

Enable Wi-fi Calling

Sometimes LTE voice data is exactly what you need to improve your connection. Other times, the data connection may be poor no matter how fast it's supposed to be. In situations like these, try switching to a Wi-Fi connection instead.

You can find Wi-Fi calling as an option in the Cellular section of your iPhone's Settings.

If you have a strong, nearby Wi-Fi signal, this may help improve your calls dramatically (and you won't use up as much of your data allotment). Although, not all carriers include free Wi-Fi calling as part of their wireless plans.

Hold Your iPhone from the Bottom

Try moving your hand to hold your iPhone from the bottom, at its sides. Grip the bottom sides of your iPhone and hold the top close to your ear, making sure that your pinky isn't holding up the device. This helps to keep your fingers away from the important mic and speaker array. These simple changes can make a surprising difference if your "hand posture" was poor before.

Check Your Phone Case

One of the most common problems afflicting iPhone calls is a poorly positioned case. There are innumerable cases out there, and not all of them were made with the iPhone's mic and speakers in mind. This is especially true of the bulkier cases that add extra features (wallet pockets, water-proofing, batteries, etc.). So if you notice you're having troubling hearing or being heard, please check your case. Take it off, see where your speakers and mic are, and note if your case is blocking them.

For newer iPhone models without a Home button, the main mic and speakers are located at the top of the phone, close to the camera and at the bottom of the phone, by the charging port. If the case overhangs these areas too much (especially the bottom section), it could easily interfere with communication.

Reset Your Connection

Try to give your connection another chance to see if it can improve. Obviously, you won't want to try this in the middle of a call.

1. Head to Settings.
2. General.
3. Look for the option to Reset.
4. Choose Reset Network Settings to see if it helps.

Move Around to Improve the Signal

Data connections aren't infallible, and sometimes poor call quality means that your connection is bad. Take a look at your connection bars, and try moving around to different locations to see if your call quality improves. This is especially true inside large buildings where data connections may run into more interference. As always, try to move toward a more open area with fewer obstructions around. These problems may (or may not) become less of an issue once everyone transfers over to the 5G framework, but for now, it's still a real problem.

Pop Up the Volume

Sometimes the best way to push through static or poor connections is with brute force. In the middle of the call, one of the easiest things you can do is to use the left-side volume buttons and push the volume up a little more. It's a quick fix that will make conversations louder – and usually clearer, on your end. Then you can do a more in-depth analysis later to see if it was just a temporary problem, or if you need to change a few things around.

Switch to Speakerphone

When you're on a call, you'll notice the speaker button on the right side of your phone call menu. Tapping that switches back and forth between speakerphone. This is almost always worth a try when you are struggling with poor call quality. First, it adds a lot of volume and generally improves clarity, while also helping to counter some of the issues with obstructing cases and similar problems. Second, if the speakerphone doesn't solve your problem, that's a good indicator that the connection itself is bad.

Make Sure Your Speakers Are Clean

Dirty or blocked speakers and mics will absolutely ruin your call, and if you don't take voice calls very often, you may not have noticed if the small speaker/mic openings have gotten dirty. So if your calls have taken a sudden turn for the worst, check on the upper and lower speaker sets to make sure there's no grime, or dirt, creating problems. Carefully clean and remove dirt if it's a problem – or take your phone into an Apple Store for a closer look if necessary.

Update and Reboot

Go back to Settings yet again and check for any iOS updates or carrier updates that you haven't installed yet. These updates may be able to improve your call quality. Install the updates, and then (for good measure) give your phone a full manual reboot. Then see if the next calls you make have improved.