How to clean iphone speakers, exactly? Like most people, you probably take your iPhone everywhere with you. That means your iPhone’s speakers are exposed to dirt and grime. Over time, this can cause your iPhone’s speakers to sound muffled or distorted. Luckily, there are a few easy ways to clean your iPhone’s speakers and get them sounding like new again.
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Check To Make Sure Your iPhone Speakers Are Working.
Whether you’re not sure if your iPhone speakers are operating properly, there’s an easy-finding method.
Go to the Settings app on your iPhone and, depending on the iOS version, choose “Sounds” or “Sounds & Haptics.” Locate and move the “Ringer and Alerts” slider back and forth.
This should generate a ringtone with changing loudness levels. If you don’t hear any sound or the speaker button on the “Ringer and Alerts” slider is muted, your speaker may need servicing, so contact Apple.
How To Clean iPhone Speakers And Improve The Sound Quality
Method 1: A soft-bristled brush
Apple advises cleaning the speakers with a soft bristles brush.
- Remove any iPhone covers and screen protectors.
- Shine a flashlight into the speaker apertures, such as the Energizer LED Tactical Flashlight ($9.98, Amazon), to see what you’re dealing with.
- Check that the brush you’re going to use is soft-bristled, clean, and dry to avoid causing harm. This is how to get paint out of phone speaker or cosmetics brushes come in handy. The 30-piece Round Paint Brush Set ($6.99, Amazon) comes highly recommended.
- Begin with the receiving speaker and brush from side to side, angling the brush so that dust is swept out rather than pushed in.
- Repeat, pressing any extra dust out of the brush between strokes.
- A soft bristles brush may also be used to clear extra dust from the bottom speaker holes near the charging port. Insert the bristles carefully into the holes, twist gently, and then remove dust and debris.
Method 2: Painter’s tape
Painter’s tape or masking tape is another common approach. This tape is not as strong as others and will not leave any residue on your phone.
- Remove the case and screen protector to access the speakers.
- Use your flashlight to see the debris better.
- Wrap a tiny piece of painter’s tape, adhesive side down, around the tip of your finger. Our recommendation is Duck Clean Release Painter’s Tape ($4.77, Amazon).
- Roll your finger from side to side over the receiving speaker to gather dust. You don’t need to apply much pressure, just enough to get the tape into the speaker.
- To be successful on the tiny speaker holes at the bottom of your phone, roll the tape into a point.
Method 3: Toothpick
Toothpicks may be used for this task, but exercise caution since they can cause internal injury if handled wrongly. As a result, you should only utilize this approach at your own risk. Toothpicks should be used solely on the bottom speakers near the charging port if they are congested.
- If required, remove your phone cover and have a flashlight handy to see what you’re doing.
- Gently place the pointed end of a wooden or plastic toothpick into the speaker holes. Use no pressure when doing this, and stop pushing soon as you encounter resistance.
- Gently tilt the toothpick sideways and up as you draw it out until the debris is spat out. To prevent damage, make sure you don’t tilt it down.
Method 4: Air blower
Some websites propose cleaning iPhone speakers with compressed air. However, this may easily cause harm. An air blower, such as the Soft Tip Silicone Super Air Blower ($7.99, Amazon), is safer. After using one of the procedures above, this may be used to blow away any excess dust.
- Hold your air blower a short distance away from the speakers and clear dust and dirt in brief bursts. It won’t be as powerful as compressed air, but that’s okay.
- Bring your air blower closer if required for more impact.
- Check the progress with your flashlight and repeat if required.
If the sound quality on your iPhone remains distorted, you may have a problem with the software rather than obstructed speakers. To resolve this, try turning it off and on again. If the issue continues, you may be forced to take it in for repairs.
Now that you know how to clean the speakers on your Apple phone, why not check out our other iPhone tutorials, such as avoiding spam messages on iPhone, activating Back Tap on iPhone, and detecting plants on iPhone.
The “Don’ts” Of Cleaning Your iPhone Speakers
While cleaning your iPhone speakers is important for maintaining their performance, there are certain things you should avoid doing to prevent damage to your device. Here are some of the “don’ts” of cleaning your iPhone speakers:
- Don’t use sharp or abrasive objects: Avoid using toothpicks, needles, or any other sharp or abrasive objects to clean your iPhone speakers. This can cause scratches or punctures to the speaker grill, which can affect sound quality or even damage the speaker itself.
- Don’t use water or cleaning solutions: Never use water or any cleaning solutions to clean your iPhone speakers. Water can damage the internal components of your iPhone, and cleaning solutions can cause discoloration or other damage to your device.
- Don’t blow into the speaker: Blowing into the speaker can actually push debris further into the speaker grill, making it harder to clean. It can also cause moisture to form in the speaker, which can damage the device.
- Don’t disassemble your iPhone: Do not attempt to disassemble your iPhone to clean the speakers. This can cause permanent damage to the device and void any warranties or insurance policies you may have.
Don’t overdo it: Avoid over-cleaning your iPhone speakers, as this can cause unnecessary wear and tear to your device. Only clean your speakers when necessary, and use gentle methods like soft-bristled brushes or compressed air to remove any debris or dust.
What’s Apple’s Official Advice?
Apple‘s official advice for cleaning iPhone speakers is to use a soft-bristled brush, like a clean and dry toothbrush, to gently brush any debris or dirt out of the speaker grill.
You should not use any liquids or cleaning agents on the speakers as they can damage the speaker and affect its performance.
If there is still debris in the speaker grill after brushing, Apple recommends using a small amount of compressed air to blow it out. However, do not hold the can too close to the phone or shake the can as this can cause moisture to form, which can also damage the speaker.
Noting that the speakers on an iPhone are sensitive and should be handled with care. Avoid using sharp or abrasive objects to clean them, and never try to disassemble the phone or remove the speakers yourself as this can cause permanent damage to the device.
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FAQ
How do I clean a muffled iPhone speaker?
Remove any screen protectors, films, or cases attached to your smartphone. Examine the speaker aperture to check whether it is obstructed or unclean. Check that the receiver on the iPhone is not obstructed or filthy. Use a tiny, soft-bristled brush to clean the speaker or receiver aperture if required.
Why does my iPhone speaker sound scratchy?
Check your sound settings and apply the most recent iOS upgrades if your iPhone speaker sounds distorted. Then, clean the speaker using a soft cloth, electrical tape, or a soft-bristled brush. If the problem continues, schedule a Genius Bar visit to see if there is a hardware issue.
Can dust damage speakers?
Dust is the number one adversary of speaker performance, and it’s not simply a cosmetic issue. Excess dust might harm the speakers themselves in extreme circumstances. To eliminate dust accumulation, put speakers in a protective case while not in use, and clean the speakers as needed.
How long can speakers last?
High-quality speakers may last up to 40-50 years before displaying indications of wear and tear, depending on the materials used and the ambient circumstances in which they are utilized.
Conclusion
If you can’t hear well on your iPhone, it might be time to give the speakers a cleaning. Though you might not think it, iPhone speakers can get just as dirty as any other speaker. iPhone speakers can accumulate dust, lint, and other debris, muffling sound quality.
