Why do I hear my own voice on phone calls?

01What is sidetone?

Phones send a tiny amount of your voice back to the earpiece instantly. This is called sidetone. It helps you hear yourself naturally and keeps you from talking too loudly. Because it is quiet and instant, you usually do not notice it. The problem is when your voice comes back delayed, as a clear echo.

02What causes echo?

• The other person is on speakerphone. Your voice comes out of their speaker and back into their microphone.
• Connection quality. Weak signal or a busy network delays the sound.
• Internet calls. App and Wi-Fi calls are more prone to delay.
• Headsets and Bluetooth. On some headsets the microphone sits close to the speaker and picks it up.
• Cases and protectors. Cases that cover the microphone or earpiece can reflect sound.
• A hardware fault. Earpiece or microphone damage, especially after liquid contact, can cause echo.

03What should you do?

1. Find out where it comes from. If the echo only happens with one person, the problem is most likely on their side.
2. Remove the case. Make sure the microphone and earpiece openings are clear.
3. Turn off Bluetooth. Disconnect the headset and test with the phone itself.
4. Change location. Call again from a place with good signal; if Wi-Fi calling is on, turn it off and test.
5. Restart and update the phone. Software-related audio problems can be fixed this way.

04When should you contact a service?

If the echo happens on every call with everyone, the sound crackles, or people hear you quietly, the earpiece or microphone should be checked. Choose your model on our iPhone models or Samsung models page and ask about the fault.

05How to get your phone to us