iPhone 17 Pro Users Report Strange ‘Radio Static’ Noise While Charging
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Numerous reports are coming in from iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max owners who say they’re hearing an AM radio-like static or hissing noise coming out of their iPhone’s speakers when the device is charging.
Multiple discussions about the issue are appearing on Reddit, the MacRumors forums, and Apple’s Support Community. In the discussion forums, affected users say they’re hearing a static-like noise, comparing it to the noise experienced when between stations on an AM radio (look it up, kids).
Over the past few months, we have received extensive reports, and I am also one of the users who purchased the iPhone 17 Pro Max and experienced this issue. While using the phone, and especially when it is charging, a noise can be heard from the speaker — similar to static, old radio interference, or walkie-talkie sounds.
While some users say they hear the noise when playing audio on the device while charging and turning down the volume, others say they hear static even when audio is not playing through the iPhone’s speakers. A third group reports hearing a low hiss or crackle when scrolling through webpages on their iPhone while it is charging.
When the phone is plugged in and charging, try this: play any audio (a song, Instagram Reel, TikTok, etc.), turn the volume all the way down to mute, and place your ear near the bottom speaker. You’ll hear a faint static, buzzing, or hissing sound — kind of like an old radio.
Some report no longer hearing the noise after unplugging the iPhone from its charger, and some say they are hearing the noise at low volumes, even when the handset is not charging.
The video below demonstrates the sound some users are hearing when charging their handset.
The noise isn’t limited to one particular brand or model of charger, as affected users say they have tried different chargers, including those made by Apple, and they still hear the sound. The sound doesn’t appear to discriminate between wired and wireless chargers, as MagSafe charger users also report the problem, although they say the static noise is a bit quieter.
At least one iPhone 17 Pro user says they hear the noise when using the Camera app:
For me, there are two situations. The first is a sound coming from the back, in the middle of the camera island, when opening the Camera app. It is a constant hum that starts and stops when the Camera app is launched or closed. I recorded it by holding the phone close to the microphone of my iPad Pro, and by repeatedly opening and closing the Camera app the hum and its absence were distinguishable. Additionally, when recording video directly on this iPhone (in quiet conditions at home), the sound is also audible during playback.
The second is the one mentioned here, a sound I call a “burning candle” coming from the left speaker while charging. I also managed to record it in a similar way as before, by plugging and unplugging the cable.
One user has contacted Apple support, and says the issue has been forwarded to Apple engineers, who are working on a software fix, as hardware diagnostics don’t show any hardware issues.
While some affected iPhone owners say they’ve traded in their devices for a new handset, many are experiencing the same issue with the new iPhone.
