How to Get Your iPhone Out of Headphone Mode

headphones iphone 11

If your iPhone is stuck in headphone mode — even after you’ve connected headphones or AirPods — it’s probably because there’s something wrong with the speaker. The good news is that the problem is usually easy to fix, and this guide will walk you through the steps necessary to get your iPhone out of headphone mode.

Why Your iPhone Is Stuck In Headphone Mode

Your iPhone might get stuck in headphone mode if there’s something wrong with the headphone port, or the Lightning port that you use to connect headphones. This can happen when lint or debris gets stuck in the port, or when water damages your device and causes it to believe that you’ve plugged in headphones.

The best way to find out if your headphone port is the culprit is to open up Control Center. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone (or swipe up if you have an iPhone with a Home button) and check whether or not the volume slider shows a headphone icon or a normal speaker icon. If you’re using AirPods, this will show an AirPods icon instead of a headphone icon.

It’s also a good idea to make sure there are no wires connected to your headphone port, like your cable or auxiliary cord. Coiling up the wires can cause the connection between your headphone and your iPhone to loosen, which can also lead to issues like the one described above.

You can prevent this by keeping your earphones unplugged and stored in a protective case or pouch.

This is especially important if you’re wearing headphones while exercising or doing other physical activities, as the constant pull on your headphones’ wire can weaken the connection between them and your iPhone’s motherboard.

Apple’s official wireless earphones offer superior audio quality with a built-in remote that lets you skip tracks, adjust the volume, activate Siri or call out to people on your phone. They’re designed to work with the iPhone 11 and are available in a variety of colors.

Another option is to use a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter, which will let you use your existing pair of wired headphones with your iPhone. If you have an iPhone X or later, you can buy one for just $9/PS9 from the Apple Store.

The most common reason that your iPhone is stuck in headphone mode is because the 3.5mm headphone port or Lightning port is clogged with lint or debris. To clear the port out, remove your headphones and wipe out the port with a dry cloth or cotton ball.

Alternatively, you can remove the headphone port on your iPhone and clean it with a soft-bristled brush or a toothbrush. You can do this safely, though you should turn off your device before doing so to avoid damage.

If none of these solutions help, there might be a software issue causing the problem, in which case you’ll need to try resetting your iPhone’s network settings or enabling flight mode. This will return the iPhone’s settings to their default state, and should solve the issue for good.