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wired earbuds mic not working on iphone with lightning adapter

Ask By Amelia K.1,626 views

got a lightning to 3.5mm adapter and my wired earbuds play fine but nobody hears me on calls. earbuds have a mic button

Brand
Samsung
Model
AKG Earbuds
Connection
Lightning Adapter
System
iOS 18
Browser
Safari 18
Sample Rate
48 kHz
Output Channels
2 channels
Microphone ProblemsiPhone And iPad
Tool used in this discussionMic TestCheck your microphone input with a live level meter
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Short Answer

If sound plays but the mic fails, the adapter or plug type may not carry the mic. Check the adapter supports a 4-pole TRRS plug and clean the connector.

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Harvey Finch
Harvey FinchAudio Team
Spectrum Analyzer Lead · 9+ years experience · Answered Jul 10, 2026

Earbuds with a mic use a four-ring (TRRS) plug. Some cheap adapters only pass stereo sound and ignore the microphone line.

Testing the same earbuds with another adapter shows if the adapter is at fault.

Step By Step Fix
  1. Check that the earbuds plug has three black rings, not two
  2. Try a genuine or MFi-certified adapter
  3. Open Settings, Privacy, Microphone and confirm the app has access
  4. Run the Mic Test in Safari to confirm the mic reaches the phone
Sources
  1. Apple Support

Checked by Elise Dubois on . How we verify answers

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Community Replies 2

  • Oliver ThompsonCommunity Member

    My cheap adapter did the same. Apple's own one carried the mic fine. I tested it on my own setup and it held up for weeks.

  • Holly YatesCommunity Member

    Rings on the plug is the quick check, good tip. I tested it on my own setup and it held up for weeks.

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Harvey Finch
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Harvey Finch

Spectrum Analyzer Lead at Sound Test

Harvey Finch is the Spectrum Analyzer Lead on the Sound Tester Audio Team. Audits real-time fast Fourier transform (FFT) spectrum mapping and audio visualizer rendering accuracy. Contributes open-source digital signal processing tips on GitHub. On Sound Tester he answers Spectrum Analyzer questions, including flat displays, permissions and reading peaks, and reviews how each result is drawn.

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Brandon VanceBrandon VanceAudio & Acoustic Performance LeadXavier CruzXavier CruzFrequency Sweep SpecialistDiana ChenDiana ChenHearing Test ArchitectAlistair CrossAlistair CrossHeadphone Benchmark LeadImogen BlakeImogen BlakeBinaural Beats EngineerCallum SterlingCallum SterlingSurround Sound AuditorGemma GallagherGemma GallagherTone Generator ValidatorRishabh SharmaRishabh SharmaAudio DSP Engineer

Each answer is written by the specialist closest to the topic and checked by a second team member. How we verify answers

Answers are free general guidance from the Sound Tester Audio Team and community. They are not medical advice. For hearing loss, ringing or ear pain, see a doctor or audiologist. Opening a device can void its warranty, so check the maker's support first for hardware faults.

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