Listening to music at full volume when wearing headphones can cause damage to your ears, which is why Apple introduced the Headphone Safety feature with iOS 14. But how to turn off headphone safety?
The feature elicited a wide range of responses from iPhone users. While lauded by some for its emphasis on safety, others found having alerts pop up all the time and having the volume change on its own obnoxious and restricting.
Many people don’t like this feature, so you can count on us if you are one of them. In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about the Headphone Safety feature on the iPhone and how to disable it if you so choose.
What Is Headphone Safety?
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that adults not listen to sounds louder than 100 dB in their new guidelines to tackle hear loss. Above that level, there is an increased possibility of sustaining a permanent hearing loss.
On the other hand, the IEC standard advises following a procedure that alerts users about excessively high sound output levels once every twenty-four hours. Damage to your hearing can occur if you listen to music on headphones that are too loud for too long.
iPhone’s Headphone Safety is a hearing-safety feature that sends you notifications when wearing headphones. If you’ve listened to music for longer than the recommended seven days, you’ll get alerts on your phone.
The next time you pair your headphones or Bluetooth device, the feature will reduce your headphone volume to adjust the notification. Only audio is subject to the exposure limit. However, headphone audio exposure is not affected by phone calls.
How to Turn Off Headphone Safety on iPhone?
With the assistance of its Headphone Safety feature, the iPhone can handle unexpectedly high headphone audio levels. Overexposure of 80 dB for 40 hours in a row for 7 days activates the headphone notification feature called Headphone Safety on iPhone.
The feature automatically reduces the volume if the volume level is set higher than the default or manually by the user on the slider. Nevertheless, there are situations in which you don’t want the iPhone to reduce the volume on its own.
For instance, if you’re listening to music through Bluetooth speakers connected to your iPhone via the Bose connect App while driving or having trouble hearing in general.
Here are a few ways to disable the iPhone’s Headphone Safety feature:
Use the Reduce Loud Sounds Feature on iPhone
Reduce Loud Sounds may be a better option than disabling Headphone Safety. When enabled, this feature allows you to specify a maximum decibel level.
Turn Off Headphone Notifications
There are two ways of turning off headphone notifications. Here’s how you can do it.
- Go to Settings App
- Tap Sounds and Haptics option
- Then, tap Headphone Safety
- Disable Headphone Notifications in your phone’s settings
Or
- Open Settings
- Choose the Accessibility option
- Tap the Audio/Visual option when you get to the Hearing section after scrolling down
- Tap Headphone Notifications icon, and then use the toggle to disable it
A Word of Caution: Disable the Headphone Safety Notifications only if you do not wish to have your iPhone send you any health alerts about the 7-day limit. Apple advises against this because it claims that prolonged exposure to loud audio can cause irreparable damage to your hearing. In addition, some iPhones may not allow you to disable Headphone Safety, depending on the region or operator.
Turn Off Headphone Safety on Locked iPhones
In certain countries and regions of the world, you will not be able to deactivate the Headphone Safety notification feature. Moreover, the slider to disable headphone notifications will only be visible on unlocked iPhones. Nevertheless, there is a simple alternative solution.
Altering the Bluetooth device type is an option to consider if you cannot turn them off in your nation or region. By switching the device type from “Headphone” to “Other,” you can prevent your volume from being automatically reduced and headphone notifications from appearing.
How to Change the Type of a Bluetooth Device
- Navigate to Settings from the home screen of your device.
- Select Bluetooth.
- To change a device, click the “I” Information button next to it.
- Tap Device Type.
- From the menu, select the device of your choice.
- Your choices are as follows:
- Headphone
- Car Stereo
- Hearing Aid
- Speaker
- Other
- Choose the device accordingly
iOS Jailbreaking
Redditors have gotten around the sound limits by using this workaround. The term “iOS jailbreaking” refers to rewriting the software on your device to remove Apple’s restrictions. Even if it is against the law where you live, you can turn off the Headphone Safety feature. However, jailbreaking poses a significant threat to the users’ privacy and safety.
Bootleg application stores can easily infiltrate jailbroken phones. Some of these app stores are full of unregulated apps that can spread viruses. In the event of a security breach, you won’t have anyone to turn to for help.
Final Words
Now you know what could happen if you turn off the iPhone Headphone Safety Tool and what risks are involved. Now that you are aware of this information, you have the freedom to choose whether or not to turn it off. However inconvenient, this feature serves an essential purpose.
