How to Clean Your iPhone Speakers

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Updated July 27, 2022

While top-rated speakers are the best for audio quality, you need clean iPhone speakers to hear phone calls and music on the go. Since your expensive smartphone travels everywhere you go, it’s easy to get bits of dirt and dust stuck in the speaker holes. Luckily, you don’t need Apple Support to get clean speakers. Stick around to learn how to clean your iPhone speakers and ensure the best sound quality for calls and music.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • You can clean your iPhone speakers with basic household supplies and dry cloth.
  • Use a soft-bristle brush to displace dirt from your speaker vents gently.
  • If there is still lodged dirt or lint left over, use painter’s tape or electronics putty to capture the remaining bits.

How to Safely Clean an iPhone

Knowing how to clean speakers is critically essential for great outdoor speakers and other active models. Cleaning your phone speaker also maintains the connections you need for a model like the Philips Fidelio 8850 stereo speaker. Understanding and maintaining your smart devices let you thoroughly enjoy speaker settings like playing music across two Bluetooth speakers.

Insider Tip

You can cause permanent damage to your phone by cleaning it with household cleaners or abrasive cloths.

STEP 1

If your phone is in a case, remove it and wipe your phone’s surface with a dry lens cloth.

STEP 2

Use a flashlight to see how much dirt buildup is left in the speaker vents.

Warning

Window cleaner and other abrasive materials can destroy the oil-resistant coating on your iPhone screen.

STEP 3

Grab a small, soft-bristled brush and gently brush the dirt away from the speaker. A paint brush will work best, but you can use a soft-bristled toothbrush or a makeup brush.

STEP 4

Wrap a piece of painter tape around your finger. Roll your finger from side to side on the speaker holes to pick up dirt. Use a tape that won’t leave residue on your phone.

STEP 5

If you still have stubborn dirt left over, consider using electronic cleaning putty to catch remaining stuck dirt. This is a special putty, and you should not use gum, Silly Putty, or anything other than electronics putty on your speaker grille.

STAT: According to a 2021 Pew Research Center survey, 85% of Americans use a smartphone. (source)

F.A.Q.S

Why should you clean your iPhone speakers?

Over time bits of dirt can build up inside the speaker grills, the actual speaker, and the headphone jack. If you have clogged speaker ports, you will experience bad sound quality with calls and music. You can mitigate the risk by regularly wiping the exterior surface with a microfiber cloth or soft-bristled brush.


How do I make an iPhone speaker louder?

There are a couple of methods to make your iPhone louder. Go to the speaker settings in your iPhone and turn off the volume limiter. Next, adjust the EQ settings to tailor the sound profile. Lastly, place your phone in a bowl or cup to help reverberate the sound waves. That said, you will see better results by connecting it to external speakers.


How can I get water out of iPhone speakers?

If you have waterlogged iPhone speakers, start by drying the exterior with a soft, lint-free cloth. Next, place the iPhone on the fabric with the speakers facing down, and put a fan or air blower nearby. Allow up to 48 hours to pass while the water falls from the speakers or evaporates. Do not place the unit in rice or connect the charger before the phone is completely dry.


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