USB C to 3.5mm adapter not working with iOS 26

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Level 5

4,356 points

USB C to 3.5mm adapter not working with iOS 26

Hey everyone!

After updating to iOS 26, I can’t seem to get my USB C to 3.5mm headphone adapter to work with my iPhone 16 Pro Max. When plugged in, audio plays through the iPhone speakers, and nothing plays down the 3.5mm line.

I’m starting to think it’s a more widespread issue because I went into store, bought a brand new USB-C to 3.5mm adapter (thinking my old adapter was busted), but the new one also didn’t work.

I thought maybe it was an issue with my phone, but I plugged the brand new andapter into the store’s demo phones and even that didn’t work!

Does anyone else have a USB to 3.5mm headphone adapter working on iOS 26, and did you have any issues with it?

Messing around with “Wired Accessories” settings in Privacy & Security also doesn’t fix the issue.

Apple Support has raised a ticket internally but are telling me no one else seems to be reporting this issue, so I’m keen to see if anyone else on here is having this problem.

iPhone 16 Pro Max

Posted on Oct 3, 2025 6:58 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

jacobacci

Level 1

25 points

Oct 15, 2025 11:36 AM in response to ShadowDust99

I have the same issue as the OP. When the Apple USB-C to 3.5mm dongle / 3.5mm earpods is plugged into my iPhone 17 Pro or my iPad Air 13" (2022) both running iOS26, it produces only periodic faint clicks, but it is not recognized by the iPhone / iPad.

A Samsung EE-UC10JUWEGWW USB-C dongle with the Apple 3.5mm earpods works fine on the iPhone.

Apple need to get this fixed!

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Answer 2

Nov 17, 2025 11:35 AM in response to ShadowDust99

replying for additional support.

i am now on ios 26.1 and it has entirely broken all audio. i have audio, but the speaker and everything have been FAR quieter since updating from ios 18. Now when connecting powered USB-C speakers (in my case, Creative Pebble Pro) i have to MAX out the volume slider to hear anything at all. Mind you, these speakers are capable of 50 watts when plugged into power. they are normally very, VERY loud. EXTREMELY. So, it's not just you guys. there is a problem that apple needs to fix. audio is broken. I've reset everything, force rebooted iPhone, etc. In addition to all of that, my entire Bluetooth stack is broken. it glitched out, disconnected and now refuses to connect to new hardware or existing. major, major problems with iOS 26. I'm really disappointed this was not tested before release, and apple has become lax on quality control in the last 5 years. Apple needs to do better.

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Answer 3

Oct 10, 2025 5:50 PM in response to ShadowDust99

Hi. I have approximately the same situation BUT on latest iOS 18 and on phone calls. I can listen music, radio, video, games, but I can’t use the on phone calls. iPhone doesn’t see headphones option. iPhone 16 Pro Max

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