Some Apple Watch Series 8 and Ultra Users Experiencing Microphone Issues

[MacRumors]

A growing number of user reports online suggest the microphone on some new Apple Watch Series 8 and Ultra models can become persistently unresponsive after an unspecified amount of time, causing apps that rely on the mic to throw up errors and stop working.

Photo shared by MacRumors forum member 2259 depicting the issue​

Users have taken to the MacRumors forums and the Apple Support Community forums to relate the issue, which results in the following error notification from the Noise app, and also prevents system functions including Siri, Dictation, and Handwashing detection from working:

Measurement Suspended
The Noise app cannot check sound levels when Apple Watch is in Water Lock or while the microphone or speaker is in use.

Based on reports, the issue can be temporarily resolved by restarting the Apple Watch until the bug eventually manifests itself again, suggesting the problem is software-related rather than a hardware defect.

Updating affected Ultra watches to the latest post-release version of watchOS 9 doesn't fix the issue, which Apple is apparently aware of. The company has been replacing new models under warranty, presumably until it patches the bug in a forthcoming software update. We'll update this article if we learn more.

(Thanks, Henrik and Anthony!)

Article Link: Some Apple Watch Series 8 and Ultra Users Experiencing Microphone Issues

 

[DMG35]

No issues on my Ultra. In fact, the speakers and mic are so good I've started using the walkie talkie feature again.

 

[JonathanParker]

Here we go again

 

[David1964]

Problem after problem after problem 🤷‍♂️

 

[FridgeToaster]

I've got the exactly same issue on my Series 7.

 

[contacos]

I've got the exactly same issue on my Series 7.

I randomly have had that issue on Series 6 as well. Not even on the latest OS

 

[Leon Ze Professional]

What will it be called this time, Microphone Gate?

 

[Joniz]

causing apps that rely on the mic to throw up errors and stop working.

Oh, Great!

If I wanted to see behavior like this, I coukd just go into work Monday mornings

 

[FridgeToaster]

I randomly have had that issue on Series 6 as well. Not even on the latest OS

After reboot the watch I can get it working for less than 1 second, then it stopped working. Just weird.

 

[aries81]

In before “this would not have happened if Steve Jobs was still around”

 

[japanime]

I guess we should start calling it "Ultrasonicgate."

 

[matrix07]

I've got the exactly same issue on my Series 7.

Got none of the issues on my S5. I thought it only applies to S8 & Ultra. Guess not.

I don't even have the paste issue many seem to have on my X (iOS16), that you have to allow it every time.

 

[Mrjoedot]

meh, it's expected for any devices. can always be fixed

 

[antiprotest]

What will it be called this time, Microphone Gate?

There seems to be no more gates recently because problems are routine now and people are only surprised when things work.

 

[tonie walker]

…i wonder how many of the features managed to escape in the last stage of software verification.

 

[0134168]

Worst new devices release EVER.

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

I randomly have had that issue on Series 6 as well. Not even on the latest OS

I've seen it pop up on my S5 several times, and I'm sure I've seen it once (very briefly) on my S8.

 

[iSepp]

Never seen this behavior on any of my Watches (Series 2, 3, 4, 6, Ultra).

 

[ocdeal]

Can confirm this is happening on my Ultra unfortunately.

 

[TVreporter]

“It just works… sort of… trust us!”

 

[MrGimper]

I've had various Apple Watches replaced via AC+/Express Replacement due to mic issues. I don't get this error, but almost every time I've had to resort to speaking loudly about 5 inches from the mic to get it to register anything.

 

[Titillating Bustline]

I've got the exactly same issue on my Series 7.

Me too.

 

[Aston441]

Microphones, and quality sound in general, have never been a thing for Apple. For each sound engineer there are probably five accountants watching over them, forbidding and admonishing absolutely anything and everything they want to do to improve the sound.

Quality microphones are EXPENSIVE, and Apple excels at “the cheapest possible component that is just barely good enough” sold with the finest marketing, and with a higher than previously considered possible price.

Sound engineering is probably the saddest job at Apple.

 

[Eldaerenth Faexidor]

Microphones, and quality sound in general, have never been a thing for Apple. For each sound engineer there are probably five accountants watching over them, forbidding and admonishing absolutely anything and everything they want to do to improve the sound.

Quality microphones are EXPENSIVE, and Apple excels at “the cheapest possible component that is just barely good enough” sold with the finest marketing, and with a higher than previously considered possible price.

Sound engineering is probably the saddest job at Apple.

Lol. The OG HomePod is the most sophisticated piece of engineering feat Apple has ever created. The beamforming mics on those things are absolutely bonkers. They’re so good that they’re able to pick up sound from the other side of my house and I have a pretty big house (just for reference). The speakers on the iPhone 14 Pro are crystal clear and have an incredibly wide soundstage. The APP2’s are very pleasant to listen to without developing any ear fatigue. Apple’s sound engineering is close to stellar and I’m not an Apple fanboy.

 

[5105973]

Lol. The OG HomePod is the most sophisticated piece of engineering feat Apple has ever created. The beamforming mics on those things are absolutely bonkers. They’re so good that they’re able to pick up sound from the other side of my house and I have a pretty big house (just for reference). The speakers on the iPhone 14 Pro are crystal clear and have an incredibly wide soundstage. The APP2’s are very pleasant to listen to without developing any ear fatigue. Apple’s sound engineering is close to stellar and I’m not an Apple fanboy.

Yeah but only fairly recently have the mics been as good as the ones on my older Androids like the HTC 10 and my Samsungs. I’ve upgraded so many iPhones over the years hoping to get better sound on calls and videos, while those older Androids had them from the get go.

I’m still having a horrible time in conversations with people calling me from older iPhones due to their mics being so bad. It wasn’t the design of the phone that was a problem because my SE3 is based on an old design but picks up sound well.

I’ve had mixed results with the mics on my Apple Watches.