Learn how to limit the maximum volume of the built-in speaker in your iPhone and iPad to protect your hearing while listening to music, watching movies and more.
In the early days, the iPhone’s built-in speaker was pretty quiet. Starting with the iPhone 7 family (2016), Apple’s handset is equipped with two speakers at the bottom for stereo sound and another speaker inside the earpiece at the top of the handset.
Those three speakers can get pretty loud, especially at full volume, which can lead to various hearing issues over time. To address this, Apple lets you limit the volume of the built-in speakers just like you can limit audio volume for AirPods and other compatible headphones. Those who listen to music on full blast should definitely use this feature to protect their hearing and keep the internal speaker from blowing out.
Limit the maximum volume of an iPhone’s built-in speaker
You can limit the maximum volume of the built-in speaker by following the steps below, but you’ll need at least iOS 18.2 or iPadOS 18.2 for that.
1) Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
2) Select Sounds & Haptics or Sounds in the main list.
3) Scroll near the bottom and hit Volume Limit under the Built-In Speaker section.
4) Turn on the Limit Maximum Volume switch, turned off by default.
5) Drag the Maximum Limit slider that appears to change the volume limit in ten percentage point increments. You can set it between 20% to 90%.
Setting a maximum volume level determines how loud the built-in speaker can play songs, audio from movies, and more. For example, a fifty percent volume limit caps the sound output at half of the iPhone’s maximum volume, even if you crank the volume slider all the way up. Keep in mind that the volume limit doesn’t affect phone calls, FaceTime calls, emergency calls, ringtones, alarms, system sounds, and alert tones produced by the Find My app.
Unsafe sound levels can damage your hearing
Apple cautions that noise-induced hearing loss can occur due to repeated exposure to loud sounds over time. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that repeated exposure to 85 decibels or higher sound levels can damage your hearing over time. These sound levels are typical for things like lawnmowers, sirens, and firecrackers. For example, a typical siren produces around 120 decibels.
Sounds around 85 decibels can be discomforting. Prolonged exposure over time can result in distorted or muffled sound or difficulty understanding speech, especially in older people and children. Anything up to 69 decibels is acceptable and should not cause hearing damage, including normal talking sounds, noise from a running refrigerator, and air conditioner sounds.
To glean details about your hearing practices, open the Health app on your iPhone, select the Browse tab at the bottom, and choose Hearing.
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