Rear microphone working but very muffled

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iPhone 15 Pro

Repair, disassembly, and troubleshooting information for Apple's "smaller" 2023 flagship smartphone, released September 22nd. It features a 6.1" ProMotion OLED display, a triple-lens rear camera system, and 5G. Successor to the iPhone 14 Pro.

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Chayant Gonsalves @chayantgon86700

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Posted: Aug 30, 2026

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Rear microphone working but very muffled

A friend's iPhone 15 Pro records muffled audio whenever using the rear cameras to take videos (the audio sounds like a really bad version of noise cancellation). I believe the earpiece and bottom microphones are functioning fine. I don't see guides or parts to diagnose / fix / replace this piece, was wondering if anyone can shed some light or provide suggestions? My suspicion is that it simply requires removing the rear panel, extracting the rear microphone under the bracket, cleaning out the opening in the rear glass and possibly replacing the mic, but I'd prefer guidance if anyone has performed this repair already. I'm not based in the US, so ordering a replacement directly from Apple might be tricky -- if anyone has suggestions for alternative platforms that would be fantastic.

Thanks in advance!

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Jerry Wheeler @dadibrokeit

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Posted: Aug 30, 2026

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Generally we don't replace microphones; rather, it's done by replacing the assembly that holds the microphone. In this case it's the entire rear charging coil/flash/microphone assembly. Note that on the iPhone 15 models, the charging coil is paired to the motherboard, so you will receive a genuine parts warning if you replace it with an aftermarket part (such as those sold by iFixit). You can install a used genuine Apple part and the Repair Assistant will allow you to pair it to your phone, as long as it wasn't taken from a phone that has been reported as lost or stolen. To the best of my knowledge, you shouldn't lose any functionality, but you will have to live with a permanent badge on your Settings icon indicating the non-genuine parts warning. If you're confident in your soldering skills, you may be able to purchase an aftermarket part and salvage the microphone from it for use on your original coil; otherwise you'll have to replace the complete assembly.

So yes, you're definitely on the right track as to what steps you should take. As far as guides go, I didn't find any written iFixit-style guides, but there is a pretty good YouTube video available showing how to replace the charging coil.

iPhone 15 Pro NFC Wireless Charging Coil and Flashlight Flex Cable Replacement - YouTube

You can get halfway there with the iFixit Back Glass Replacement guide if you want.

iPhone 15 Pro Back Glass Replacement - iFixit Repair Guide

Personally, I would go with your instincts and open up the phone to clean and check the microphone's access hole. 90% or higher concentration isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol is a good choice to clean it out, as it won't leave any residue. You can follow the first part of the video to dismount the flash then the microphone and stop there to do the cleaning. If you end up having to replace the mic, then the rest of the video will show you how.

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3 Comments:

Thank you Jerry, this is much appreciated! Will give this a go or recommend that the device is taken to a more experienced technician if that's what the owner of the phone prefers. Cannot say that I love how all three modules (flash, microphone, wireless charging coil) have to be treated as a single unit and the parts pairing of course is criminal, but this doesn't seem to be too difficult a job for a novice like myself.

Cheers!

Aug 30, 2026 by Chayant Gonsalves

@chayantgon86700 It's not a bad job; certainly easier than it would be on an iPhone without a removable back. I've done this job on an iPhone X and pretty much had to gut the phone just to get to it.

Use plenty of heat and/or 90% or higher concentration isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol to loosen the adhesive; if it's resisting, use more. Also, go gently around the magnets as they're easy to knock off - although it's not a big deal to just stick them back on if they do come off.

Hopefully you'll find nothing worse than the microphone hole gummed up, but at least you're prepared if that's not the problem. I'd go ahead and preorder a sheet of adhesive to glue the back on once you're done; you'll need it whether you replace the charging coil assembly or not.

Aug 30, 2026 by Jerry Wheeler

Excellent, I'll update here if I end up doing this job. Thank you for the guidance!

Aug 30, 2026 by Chayant Gonsalves

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Thank you Jerry, this is much appreciated! Will give this a go or recommend that the device is taken to a more experienced technician if that's what the owner of the phone prefers. Cannot say that I love how all three modules (flash, microphone, wireless charging coil) have to be treated as a single unit and the parts pairing of course is criminal, but this doesn't seem to be too difficult a job for a novice like myself.

Cheers! — Chayant Gonsalves
@chayantgon86700 It's not a bad job; certainly easier than it would be on an iPhone without a removable back. I've done this job on an iPhone X and pretty much had to gut the phone just to get to it.

Use plenty of heat and/or 90% or higher concentration isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol to loosen the adhesive; if it's resisting, use more. Also, go gently around the magnets as they're easy to knock off - although it's not a big deal to just stick them back on if they do come off.

Hopefully you'll find nothing worse than the microphone hole gummed up, but at least you're prepared if that's not the problem. I'd go ahead and preorder a sheet of adhesive to glue the back on once you're done; you'll need it whether you replace the charging coil assembly or not. — Jerry Wheeler
Excellent, I'll update here if I end up doing this job. Thank you for the guidance! — Chayant Gonsalves

iPhone 15 Pro

Rear microphone working but very muffled

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