The release of the iPhone 4S has caused the (now) usual rush of customers wanting the phone as soon as it’s released. I must say, I’m rather impressed with the improvements over the iPhone 4.
Also I have seen a few users that have experienced problems also. Every one of them has been a user issue that I have seen, and I just wanted to share an experience that I have come across a few times already.
A friend was complaining about low volume levels whilst on a phone call. Yes the volume was turned right up. I thought ‘mmm might have a dud iPhone here’ but before I gave my friend the bad news, I asked her ‘dumb question, but have you taken off the original plastic screen protector?’ The response was a roar of laughter which told me that this was the problem.
So, it doesn’t hurt to go and check the basics first. With the film that is on the phone when you take it out of the box, the phone speaker is covered up – hence the low volume problem.
Failing that, try a hard reset of the phone before contacting Apple.
Ashamed. I have made a lot of fuzz about the same problem and spent at lot of time, until I found this website. Eureka!
Wow! Your advice solved the problem. Thanks for the help.
Cheers!
Wow. Yep, that was the problem… >///> I’ve been so concerned about this. I didn’t even realize there wasn’t a hole there………. Thank you so much. I was about to call Apple and be /that person/.
My girl friend just called me and was angry that her new phone sucks. Now I will show her that it’s just the protector. Thank you.
OMG, I am so Embarrassed that was totally my issue. I was about to go to Apple and go off, stating that they sold me crap, that was not the case, :0)
Thanks
Manic
Yes, there was a roar of laughter from me too! What a simple solution to something I was so concerned about…was about to be on my way to the store tomorrow but you saved me a trip! THANKS!
1+
thanks a lot…..had this issue with my GF who started shouting that i gave her a stupid phone….after reading this in 2 mins after her complaint…….issue solved…
You are kidding me. So simple yet I missed it too. Just got the new 4s — could not believe the volume was so off. Of course, the plastic protector. I will never admit this to anyone….lol
Wow, you’re the man! Thanks a million…
Same with me. The plastic coating is the problem. Great hints. Thanks.
Disaster….much-anticipated iPhone 4s purchased today. First phonecall received while on my way home. Voice almost inaudible but volume on max setting, so tried to fiddle with the phone to find the reason. Phone slips out of my hand, hits the floor, glass on back shatters. At least I have the explanation for the low volume….
I can’t believe this. I didn’t remove the cover as well.
there should be hols in the original protector, not only on top for the speaker but also at the bottom for the appl. button.
thanks for teh info…i feel silly that i had the problem and didn’t remove the plastic cover.
now my problems are solved…thanks!
You sure solved my problem! This was my ditzy moment of the month!
Unbelievable!
Whoa! Thanks a ton! I got my new i phone today, was really distressed with the poor sound and was going to call Apple Monday.
Thanks a ton ton ton……..U made my day.
Just stripping of the plastic made such a difference,had to decrease the volume then!
I tought I had purchased a bad phone… 🙁 Thanks a lot
OMG, I feel a right burk. . . . Thanks
Thank you very much for this; had been waiting for ‘proper’ screen protectors to arrive on order, and hadn’t thought that this might be the root of the problem. I’ve now cut the bit that covers the speaker off for now 😉
i can’t believe that’s all there was! thank you so much!
Yes I had the exact same problem!!! I remember when I got my phone that there was no sound and then after a while there was. I now no because I pulled off the cover. When another family member got theirs, they couldn’t hear me when I rang them… I wondered why!!! Thanks to a bit of research and to your fantabulous website, I got it!!!
BEEP!
Nora
Thank you. Yes, I’m part of the very smart people who didn’t figure that one out.
Silly Me! =]
Hi,
Thanks so much,problem solved
GPG
Thanks, same thing!
I had a problem about the volume of my iphone when i have a call is very low i almost hear their voice…So i was tried to increase the volume full but it is the same.how can i adjust a volume?Can i go there to the shop to changed the item?Please advice!!!!!
Thank you…
Doh! Feel a bit silly now – Glad I found this. Thanks
Thank you! Excellent post. Had the same issue!
Hahaha my sister just called me complaining about her new phone and not hearing. So i googled it and found this and sure enough that was her problem. THANK YOU!!!!!
Just had the same problem.. i couldnt do anything but laugh at myself once i read this!!
Whoa.! I just bought my iPhone4S 2 days ago and i just experienced the same problem in its volume when talking to my girlfriend..tnx dude.,you definitely solved my problem.! ^^,
Wow cheers for your advice, I brought a 64 gig Iphone brand new sealed in box off flee bay for £600. I noticed the volume level was low when I made calls, not thinking about the plastic cover that covers the speaker. I feel happy now i don’t think I was ripped off, Im glad i found your advice on google.
Thanks!!!
Thank you !
Thanks for your help. You solved my problem as well!
Likewise – that was it! Saved me a trip to the store too. Thanks!!
Thanks. I would suggest the staff in apple store tell their new customer about this to preempt this fake alarm.
I am on my third iphone 4S and now have the problem again. I earspeaker is very quiet and sounds like it is a tunnel.
The first 2 phones I took to apple and they looked at them and gave me a new phone. I have an appointment Thursday to take my 3rd phone in with the same problem.
I think it must be something I am doing but don’t have any idea why. Never had a problem with 3GS.
Omg!! thank god I found this website. Problem solved. I was going to contact Apple too. U saved me the headache.
Thanks!
OMG…i’m laughing at my self right now…so the protector was the problem. i supposed to the apple shop today to complain…lol
This is good to know but it won’t save me a trip to the Apple store. The plastic is removed, volume up as high as it will go and I still cannot hear the calls very well.
OMG I feel stupid but even my teenage daughter didn’t think of this. Thank you
Thank you! Saved me from what would have been a shameful trip to the Verizon store!
im very sorry guy’s i have never laughed so much in all my life some thing so simply but we alway’s think it’s some thing bigger lol and yes i did not find this site with out having the same problem lol
thank you for the help
Thank You for sharing this information. It saved me so much time! 3/14/12
OMG! I hope I won’t feel this silly often while trying to find my ways in the world of iphones. Tahnk you! Thanks you! Thank you!
Thanks a lot for this hint! You’ve just saved me a visit to Apple store again. Great!
Um yeah… *smack head*
Thanks for the tip! 🙂
Oh man…I’ve been laughing on my end…such a simple solution. Thanks so much! LOL
He he how funny. I was just complaining to a friend and thought i might have had a dud. My husband and i had a good laugh – and suprise it worked fine after the plastic was removed!!
Guilty as well! Thank you for actually stating the bleeding obvious.
lol wow this helped alot I just got my insurance phone and after I read this I looked at my phone and couldnt help but giggle at how simple it was. hahaa thanks
OMG!!! This is very embarassing. I can build a PC and solve software problems…. but DID NOT figure out about the plastic cover..hence why I found this thread… now, if you all please excuse me, I’ll just go in the bathroom and slit my wrist:( Thank you.
i feel like an idiot ;-D
no I am not a blonde but thanks for making me feel like one! bahaha
We wouldn’t have to feel like idiots with stuff like this if Apple would have just cut out the hole and let us cheapskates have our free screen protector.
HAHA!! Well, that solved my problem…! I feel like a fool!
Brilliant 😀
I feel like a prize idiot!!!
Thanks for posting!
OMG…I join the club of numpties who kept the clear paper on and now that this has been removed, my audio volume on calls is ace; crystal clear 🙂
Rob Tullis…. It’s probably too late but if you peel back and cut off the plastic covering the speaker, you can still keep have your free screen protector. I’m hard on my phones so I’m going to buy the new OtterBox Armor for it ASAP. It can withstand 2 tons force, a 20 foot drop on concert and 10 minutes under water. 🙂
Omg..I am on my third replacement phone because the phone had no sound..I feel like such a dumb ass!!!
Thank you, thank you! The volume “problem” of the original screen protector not only foxed me, but my very smart, techno-savvy, 21 year old son! We both had a good laugh and now I LOVE my new phone!
Ha ha ha Thanks so much.For real I was going to return the phone tomorrow. This is so funny. Thanks for making me laugh at myself and happy about my phone!! I woldn’t have figured it out hadn’t I read this.
I bought 4S recently through online. When i called for first time ear volume was very low and I thought i am cheated with wrong phone and was very sad.
Then i found this thread and now i am 🙂 🙂 🙂
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