A few months ago, in an internal document obtained by MacRumors, Apple acknowledged that some iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus users may experience a grayed-out speaker button during phone calls, or not be heard during phone calls or FaceTime chats. Apple didn't identify a cause for the issues.

iphone 7 call
If an affected iPhone is no longer covered by warranty, Apple's document said Genius Bars or Apple Authorized Service Providers could escalate the case to Apple, and the company would grant an exception, resulting in a free repair for the customer. Of note, this was never a full-out service program.

"I just had my wife's iPhone 7 replaced this morning," said one MacRumors forum member, in a discussion thread about these issues. "Out of warranty and Apple took care of the bill. The mic on the device had failed."

As of last week, however, Apple appears to have stopped offering that exception. Reliable sources at multiple Apple Authorized Service Providers informed MacRumors that Apple has now deleted its internal document related to these issues, and they are no longer able to put through free repairs via Apple's system.

Instead, if an affected iPhone is past its warranty period, Genius Bars and Apple Authorized Service Providers must charge a standard out-of-warranty fee for the repair to be completed, according to the sources we spoke with.

While only a limited number of customers are affected, one source told us that the microphone issues are still prevalent, and do not appear to have been resolved, so it's unclear why Apple chose to stop offering exceptions. We've reached out to Apple for comment on the matter — we'll update if we hear back.

iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus devices still within Apple's limited one-year warranty period or covered by AppleCare+ should remain eligible for a free repair.

Repairs can be initiated by booking an appointment at a Genius Bar, or at an Apple Authorized Service Provider, via the Contact Apple Support page: iPhone → Repairs & Physical Damage → Unable to Hear Through Receiver or Speakers → Built-in Speaker → Bring In For Repair and select a location and time.

Related Forum: iOS 11

Top Rated Comments

MTW Avatar
95 months ago
Tim Cook strikes again! Always about Wall Street, never about customers.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MTW Avatar
95 months ago
When you think about it though why would they?
You, I and countless others will fancy our chances and still go out and buy their products.
Treating people right (like Apple used to) benefits Apple more than it benefits the customer. People who are happy come back. It's a more reliable way to make money than to raise prices on everything, make AppleCare suck a lot, generally nickel and dime people to death.

It's a long term play. Something Tim has zero patience for, he is beholden to Wall Street in a way Steve never allowed himself to become.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thadoggfather Avatar
95 months ago
Kinda bad timing imo in light of Apple standing firm they won’t replace 2016/2017 keyboards with the “fixed” new keyboard

Between this And $299 for a screen replacement $549 for a whole x phone if you crack the back... it’s feeling like they’re milking customers more than ever these days

Excellent support, for the most part, support wise. But the price you pay is getting outlandish even by Apple pricing standards.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
roguedaemon Avatar
95 months ago
Once again Apple just can’t admit they stuffed up. Just like with the MBP keyboards. SAD.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
avanpelt Avatar
95 months ago
Slow clap for the out-of-warranty repair program that lasted for two and a half months. :rolleyes:
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Radon87000 Avatar
95 months ago
Planned Obsolescence with a capital P. Bendgate, Throttlegate, Touch Disease, Error 53. Tim Cook just never ceases to amaze.
[doublepost=1531851680][/doublepost]
@gnipgnop @TimmeyCook

This iPhone 7 issue is just user mistreatment and conspiracy too, right...?
Anyone who speaks against the almighty Apple is a hater
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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