Audio feedback with iPhone

Question

Level 2

261 points

Audio feedback with iPhone

I need help with audio feedback when I use my iPhone as a webcam. This problem occurs with Webex and Zoom. I like the iPhone as a webcam because I like to look at people on the big monitor for the Mac. The problem is that everybody on the other end complains of feedback. Apparently my iPhone repeats back to them what they say. I am sure it is annoying and distracting. But I do not hear it.

What I have used as audio output on my Mac Mini are 1) speakers plugged into the headphone jack and 2) the internal speaker of the Mac. With both of those audio outputs, my correspondents report the feedback. Because of the urgency of the meetings, I have not yet experimented with trying to play the audio through the iPhone speaker itself. I do not know if I will get the audio feedback using the speaker of the iPhone. Given the size of an iPhone speaker, it would be my last preference.

I have not yet tried this with the new FaceTime. No one in my business uses FaceTime.

Does anyone know of any way of eliminating audio feedback that comes out of the computer when it is connected to an iPhone?

Or should I just go with headphones?

I am in iOS 16.1.1, MacOS 13.0.1, and EpocCam.

Mac mini, macOS 13.0

Posted on Nov 22, 2022 12:01 PM

Reply

Answer 1

destiny241

Community Specialist

Nov 24, 2022 08:48 AM in response to R_55a

Hello R_55a,

We'd definitely test this further using the built-in FaceTime app on your Mac. That would tell us if the issue happens in multiple apps (including Apple apps) or not.

Should it persist in the FaceTime app, were you able to test the iPhone speaker? Have you tried updating WebEx and Zoom apps since you upgraded the Mac to Ventura? As a workaround, does it help to mute yourself when others talk during these calls? That will tell us more, so we can continue to help out.

Wishing you well, take care.

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Answer 2

R_55a Author

Level 2

261 points

Nov 24, 2022 11:53 AM in response to destiny241

I won't be able to test the audio set-up with FaceTime. In our business Webex predominates. Zoom has some popularity. FaceTime is restricted to Mac users. We are still in the minority.

My copies of Webex and Zoom are up to date.

I have taken some earbuds to the office. Next time I have a video conference, I will unplug the external speakers from the headphone jack of the Mini and plug in the earbuds. I expect that that will break the audio loop from the external speakers back into the iPhone microphone.

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Answer 3

jdo_apple

Community Specialist

Nov 24, 2022 12:18 PM in response to R_55a

R_55a,

Thank you for these additional details.

You don't have to be in a business or work conference to isolate the issue.

If possible, initiate a FaceTime call with a friend or family to test your set up.

Testing your set up with earbuds is a great plan. Please keep us posted on how that goes.

Also, if you are using your iPhone's microphone as an audio input, it may help if you move it far from your device's speaker.

Take care!

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Answer 4

R_55a Author

Level 2

261 points

Nov 24, 2022 07:36 PM in response to jdo_apple

Yes, I have moved the iPhone from the top of my desk to the top of the monitor and back again. I did so in conjunction with switching back and forth between the external speakers and the internal speaker. I tried, unsuccessfully, to find a set up that would move the iPhone far enough from one or the other audio output that the iPhone would not pickup that audio output. If was after these experiments that I brought in my earbuds.

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Answer 5

steve626

Level 6

13,035 points

Nov 24, 2022 08:01 PM in response to R_55a

I have done Webex meetings with both an iPhone and MacBook Pro (connected to a large Dell monitor) simultaneously ... I normally don't do that but had to for a couple of days when my MacBook Pro's camera stopped working and eventually was repaired.

This works without feedback but for that you need to both mute the speakers and the microphone on the iPhone (or vice versa), completely. In other words you select MUTE (no microphone) on the iPhone Webex controls and turn off all sound on the iPhone (or vice versa for the Mac). I experienced no feedback (nor did other Webex participants) when I set it up this way.

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Answer 6

R_55a Author

Level 2

261 points

Nov 25, 2022 07:20 AM in response to steve626

I had not gone in that direction yet. Between the two, I would be more likely to disable the audio function of the Mac Mini, because it has no microphone of its own. In my setup, I need the microphone of iPhone. I have been reluctant to rely on the iPhone for both input and output, because the speaker of the iPhone is so tiny.

I have brought in earbuds. I will plug them into the 3.5 mm audio jack of the Mini. I expect that doing so will eliminate the audio loop.

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Answer 7

nathan430

Community Specialist

Nov 25, 2022 08:05 AM in response to R_55a

R_55a,

Based on the information you've provided and the troubleshooting you've done so far, it sounds like this may simply be expected behavior. Audio feedback can be a byproduct of this type of setup, so when you are able to isolate that noise - such as by using your earbuds - it will definitely help minimize this type of disruption.

We hope you're able to use those earbuds and get everything working in a way that works best for you!

Cheers.

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Audio feedback with iPhone

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