iPhones act really weird sometimes. They are stuck in the headphone mode even when they’re not connected to headphones or earbuds. Hence the question, how to fix my iPhone stuck in headphone mode?
There is no clear reason this happens, apart from the fact that you may have debris stuck in your headphone jack. Of course, you could carry on with your life without fixing this issue but we are sure you would rather find out how to get rid of it once and for all.
Here’s a quick and easy guide on how to get your iPhones out of headphone mode. Continue reading to find out what our experts have to say.
Why Is My iPhone Stuck in Headphone Mode?
Before we dive in and find out how to get your iPhone out of the headphone mode, we thought it would be best to walk you through the reasons why your iPhone is stuck in headphone mode in the first place.
According to experts, your iPhone may be stuck in headphone mode due to some underlying hardware-related issue. Keep in mind, however, that there are chances that it could be because of a software-related problem as well. However, the chances of the latter happening are comparatively lower.
Around 99% of the time, your iPhone will be stuck in headphone mode because the headphone port is acting up. The port may be malfunctioning if there is dust or dirt stuck in it.
If this is the case, your iPhone will deduce that you have your headphones plugged into the headphone jack, even when you don’t. As a result of this, your iPhone’s headphone mode is automatically activated.
8 Quick Hacks to Fix Your iPhone Stuck in Headphone Mode
If you notice your iPhone’s headphone mode turned on even when there are no headphones connected to it, there are a few things you can try to get your iPhone out of headphone mode.
1. Restart Your iPhone
Basically, restart your iPhone. This is a universal hack. If any electronic device isn’t working the way it should be, restarting seems to be an instinctive fix. To get your iPhone out of headphone mode, all you have to do is press the power button on your iPhone until you see the “slide to power off” bar. Slide to the right and your iPhone will turn off.
Now, let it remain off for a couple of seconds. Then hold the power button till you see the Apple logo appear. Once you have done this, you should find that your iPhone is no longer stuck in headphone mode.
2. Clean the Headphone Jack
Another approach you could try is get your hands dirty (although we are sure this won’t be needed) and clean the headphone jack. There are chances that there may be some dust and debris caught in the headphone port, which are causing your iPhone to be stuck in headphone mode.
Keep in mind that the headphone jack needs to be treated with the utmost care when cleaning it. You can find headphone jack cleaning brushes on the market. Otherwise, use a cotton cleaning cloth. Blow a few times into the headphone jack. Take the cloth and wipe the port clean. Ensure you remove any specs of dust and dirt you see.
You can also use a cotton ear bud and gently clean the headphone jack. Make sure you don’t let any water or moisture get into the headphone port though!
3. Connect a Pair of Headphones
At times, your iPhone will just assume that you have a pair of headphones plugged in. It’s almost like a ‘ghost’ effect. To fix this issue, you can actually plug in a pair of headphones.
Once done, wait for a couple of seconds and check to see if the iPhone detects your headphones. There are chances that you will need to do this a couple of times for your iPhone to come out of the headphone mode. Use the best Lightning to 3.5 mm headphone jack adapters to connect your earbuds/headphones to your iPhone.
4. Remove the iPhone Cover
Quite a few times, your iPhone’s phone case may be pressing into the headphone jack, causing your iPhone to be stuck in headphone mode. All you have to do is remove your iPhone cover to get rid of the issue. Pretty simple, isn’t it?
5. Check for Moisture/Water
Nothing is worse than having moisture or water enter your iPhone. Since the headphone port has an opening, it provides a direct entry path for water to get into your iPhone’s hardware. Sweat, a tiny water droplet, humidity, moisture; these are a few things that can easily enter through the headphone jack and damage your iPhone.
If you are even the slightest bit doubtful that water or moisture may have entered your headphone jack, the first thing you should do is place your iPhone in a bag or container of unwashed rice and leave it for a few hours.
6. Switch On the Airplane Mode
Turning on Airplane mode on your iPhone is almost as good as restarting it (keyword: almost). It is a quick and simple solution to fix most of the issues your iPhone gives you. If you are sure that your iPhone’s headphone port is damage-free and water-free, and yet your iPhone is stuck in headphone mode, Airplane mode will come to the rescue.
After you have unlocked your iPhone, swipe up to view the Control Center. Over here, you will see a circular icon with an airplane in it. This is the icon for Airplane mode. Tap to activate airplane mode on your iPhone. After around 10 to 15 minutes, tap the Airplane mode icon again to turn it off. Hopefully, you should find that your iPhone is no longer stuck in headphone mode.
7. Connect Your iPhone to Bluetooth Speakers
Some users found that you can fix your iPhone when it is stuck in headphone mode by connecting your iPhone to Bluetooth speakers. For some reason, and we aren’t exactly sure why, doing this can get your iPhone out of headphone mode. Unlock your iPhone, go to Settings and turn Bluetooth on.
A shortcut for doing this is via the Control Centre. Once you have paired to your Bluetooth speakers, play your favorite song. Now, while the song is playing via your speakers, turn off Bluetooth on your iPhone. You should find that your iPhone is no longer stuck in headphone mode.
8. Update the Software
If, no matter what you do, you can’t seem to fix your iPhone when it is stuck in headphone mode, it’s time for a quick software update. If you have been delaying updating your software for a while, there are chances that your phone will start dropping hints, such as being constantly stuck in headphone mode, no matter what you do.
To do this, head over to Settings, and scroll down till you see General. Over here, tap on Software Update. If you have a pending software update, you should see it here. In that case, tap on ‘Download and Install’, and you are good to go.
Final Words
Any of the above approaches should help you fix your iPhone and get it out of headphone mode. Having said that, if you have tried all of the above methods, but still can’t seem to get your iPhone out of headphone mode, it’s time for a factory reset. What this means is that you head over to Settings on your iPhone, and tap on General.
Here, you will see ‘Reset.’ Tap it, to open up a wide range of different reset options. Select ‘Reset all Settings’. You will be prompted to enter your passcode in order to initiate the reset.
If this doesn’t seem to help you either, perhaps it’s time to head over to the Apple Store or contact customer support. We are sure they will be able to resolve the issue in no time!
