iPhone 17 Pro Max – Static / hissing noise from speaker while charging

I’ve noticed a strange issue on my iPhone 17 Pro Max and I’d like to know if anyone else can reproduce it.


When the phone is plugged in and charging, if you play some audio (for example a song, an Instagram Reel, or TikTok), turn the volume all the way down to mute, and then put your ear close to the bottom speaker, you can hear a faint static, buzzing, or hissing noise, similar to the sound of an old radio.


I’ve tested this with both an official Apple cable and charger, and the issue is still present. This sound can also be heard even when no audio is playing, although it’s a bit quieter in that case.


I’m curious if this is a widespread issue or specific to my device.

iPhone 17 Pro Max, iOS 26

Posted on Sep 22, 2025 1:51 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 14, 2025 4:44 AM

Hello everyone,

Also my brand new 17 pro max 512 make a grey noise when plugged in and I open the camera app.


I contacted a senior support engineer in apple using the official channel into the apple support app.

They called me and completed a full hardware diagnostics.

They tell me that Apple is aware of the issue and they are working to release a software update (by diagnostics there isn’t hardware fault).


Apple ask you to choose, wait for a software update or replace the phone (I rejected this solution, because of software issue. Also the replaced phone may have same noise problems).


My case is still open, and if the future software update doesn’t work they recall me for other options.


I swear these information are useful for the community :)


so… waiting the next buggyiOS26 release ;)

75 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 14, 2025 4:44 AM in response to MrWolfery

Hello everyone,

Also my brand new 17 pro max 512 make a grey noise when plugged in and I open the camera app.


I contacted a senior support engineer in apple using the official channel into the apple support app.

They called me and completed a full hardware diagnostics.

They tell me that Apple is aware of the issue and they are working to release a software update (by diagnostics there isn’t hardware fault).


Apple ask you to choose, wait for a software update or replace the phone (I rejected this solution, because of software issue. Also the replaced phone may have same noise problems).


My case is still open, and if the future software update doesn’t work they recall me for other options.


I swear these information are useful for the community :)


so… waiting the next buggyiOS26 release ;)

Sep 25, 2025 11:41 AM in response to MrWolfery

I tested with both the Apple charging cable and the Apple MagSafe wireless puck, and in both cases the crackling sound comes out of the bottom speaker. With MagSafe the sound is much quieter, likely because of the lower charging current.

I replaced my phone and the new one has the same issue, so I’m wondering if this is a broader manufacturing flaw and have reported it to Apple.

Sep 30, 2025 4:23 AM in response to MrWolfery

For those that can't hear it, try scrolling (or just gently swiping the screen with a very light touch) whilst your phone is charging.


That's when I heard mine, 17 pro Max, first thought the cable was moving something, then wondered if I had a rough part of skin on my thumb, then realised it was just my skin touching the screen.

It reminded me of the electrical "buzz" I get from many devices (apple and non-apple) when they're charging and I gently touch a metal surface. Like the MacBook Pro 2012 model I still have, and my surface book pro 1.

Sep 24, 2025 1:07 AM in response to MrWolfery

Same problem. But to test it people have to use their phone, open apps like TikTok for example, but with sound lvl 0 (no sound, off). If your phone is plugged, and even more if you’re charged at max level (with a limit or not doesn’t matter), you will hear the buzzing noise from the left speaker even louder. It’s like if the speaker was on, able to produce sound, but since your sound level is at 0, there’s just a hissing noise. If you scroll TikToks with no sound you will hear it even more. Phone off, or just on but without using anything or any apps, it will still be there but in a faint way, barely noticeable. Try again please. Of course in a quite room it’s better.

Sep 24, 2025 3:22 AM in response to MrWolfery

I have this problem on the 17 Pro Max (512), and I reported it to Apple Support today. I also shared links to this discussion and another one on Reddit. I was asked to record these sounds if possible.


For me, there are two situations. The first is a sound coming from the back, in the middle of the camera island, when opening the Camera app. It is a constant hum that starts and stops when the Camera app is launched or closed. I recorded it by holding the phone close to the microphone of my iPad Pro, and by repeatedly opening and closing the Camera app the hum and its absence were distinguishable. Additionally, when recording video directly on this iPhone (in quiet conditions at home), the sound is also audible during playback.


The second is the one mentioned here, a sound I call a "burning candle" coming from the left speaker while charging. I also managed to record it in a similar way as before, by plugging and unplugging the cable.


I’m supposed to get another update tomorrow before it gets escalated further.

Oct 5, 2025 5:11 PM in response to MrWolfery

Okay Update #1 my Anker MagSafe battery was the issue only happens after music or video stops playing but if nothing is playing and I pluck the battery it hisses but after playing video or music it sounds like Morse but very rapid my brain thinks it could be the coil sensing feature that pulses to detect the phone same as the blocks that you’d connect your type c

Sep 23, 2025 8:07 AM in response to ChrisJ4203

After doing more research, I’ve noticed that many people are experiencing the same issue (even those who exchanged their phones, with the problem still persisting). It seems to be faint, but it is present. I also checked the display units at my local Apple Store, and they had the same issue. It occurs on both the bottom and top speakers. To notice it clearly, you need to be in an absolutely silent room. For example, if you plug in your phone, place your ear near the speaker, and then scroll through TikTok without sound playing, the static becomes more noticeable.


I’ve already contacted Apple Support, but they don’t seem to be aware of this issue yet. I suspect it might be a software-related bug with this year’s iPhones that could be fixed in a future update.


When I visit the Genius Bar, I’d prefer to receive a replacement rather than return the device, in case it is considered a defect. My concern is that I don’t know whether replacement stock is separate from the store’s regular inventory. Is there any way to check in advance? Alternatively, can the Genius Bar reserve an iPhone 17 Pro Max with the same configuration for me so I can do a direct exchange, without going through the 14-day return, refund, and re-ordering process?

Oct 15, 2025 11:52 AM in response to MrWolfery

I’ve experienced the same static / hissing noise issue with my iPhone 17 Pro Max while it’s charging. After I bought the device, I contacted Apple Support and they arranged a call with a senior engineer.


A couple of days later, the same engineer followed up and said the recommended solution was to replace the device. She made an appointment for me at my nearest Apple Store, but when I went there, the Genius Bar team said they couldn’t issue a replacement because they couldn’t replicate the problem in-store.


I contacted Apple again afterward, and they scheduled another call with a different engineer. This time, the engineer also concluded that the best solution was to replace the phone. He processed a replacement order, which required a $1,199 + tax hold on my credit card, but it’s been three days now and there’s still no update on the replacement shipment.


I’ve heard that some other new iPhone 17 units are showing the same issue, so I’m honestly not sure what the best course of action is at this point.

Oct 15, 2025 1:11 PM in response to MrWolfery

I noticed that charging the phone is not the key to obtain the noise. Can anyone check this? Open camera app and put your ear near to the back side of the phone, where the three cameras are located; I can hear the noise even if the phone is not under charge. If you switch to the front camera, the noise stops, if you return to main camera, the noise starts again. In my case don’t seems the speaker, the noise came from the back, similar to an interference in an old radio.

Sep 22, 2025 2:02 PM in response to MrWolfery

I'm sorry, this is the first time that I've seen this. I tried to duplicate your issue with my iPhone 17 Pro Max and was unable to hear the noise you describe. I couldn't hear anything, sorry. You are welcome to contact Apple Support or make a Genius Bar appointment at the nearest Apple Store to have them listen if you can duplicate the issue. If you purchased from an Apple Store, you have 14 days to return the device, no questions asked.

iPhone 17 Pro Max – Static / hissing noise from speaker while charging

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