Audio input change from iOS 18

[mk313]

After updating an iPad to os 26, and then getting a MacBook Neo also on OS 26, I decided to upgrade one of my phones (iPhone Mini 13) to iOS 26. Overall, I don't have any real issues with it. It seems about as fast as 18, doesn't seem to destroy my battery life, etc.

There is one issue I'm struggling to fix though & wonder if anyone has any thoughts or has run into this before. I don't have CarPlay in my car, and use a lightning to USB-A & 3.5mm adapter. The USB-A goes to a cigarette plug charger in my car & the 3.5mm plug goes into an AUX plug in my car that plays through the car radio. It's worked fine since forever.

Since I upgraded to iOS 26, I can no longer use voice to text when I am plugged into that jack. Like it I try to add a calendar item by voice, or say something to Siri, the phone doesn't hear me. As soon as I unplug the cable, everything goes back to normal.

The only setting I can find that seems related is in Settings>Sounds & Haptics>Input. There is either iPhone Microphone or USB Input. It had defaulted to USB input. I changed that to iPhone Microphone, but it still doesn't recognize anything I say.

Has anyone run across this before or have any other ideas how to fix this issue?

Thanks in advance,

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Seems it’s mistaking your charging cable for an audio-capable device. 🤔

Try swapping out USB cables. Using MagSafe might solve the issue too, if you have one.

 

[mk313]

Thanks. I did order another cable so hopefully that helps. We'll see. The interesting this is it still works fine on my other phone, which is still on iOS 18.

I found a thread about this same issue (Except not in ios26) and the solution is to go to audio settings & remove prior stored headphones and read them, but the setting to do so is missing in iOS 26. It does show up on my other phone still on iOS 18.