If you’ve noticed that the audio on your WhatsApp status is quieter or lower in volume than you’d expect, there are a few potential reasons why this might be happening on iPhone.
Your iPhone’s Ringer Volume is Low
The most common reason for low WhatsApp status volume is that your iPhone’s ringer/media volume is set too low. Here’s how to check and adjust it:
- Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics on your iPhone.
- Under ‘Ringer and Alerts’ check that the slider is set to your desired volume level.
- Play a WhatsApp status update and check if the volume is now at the expected level.
The volume buttons on the side of your iPhone adjust this media/ringer volume by default, so you can also use them to turn the volume up.
A Specific Status Has Low Volume
It’s possible that a particular WhatsApp status update you’re trying to view has an inherently low volume, if the original video was recorded quietly. Try viewing a different status update from a different contact – if those are an expected volume, then it’s likely just a problem with that specific status.
Do Not Disturb is Enabled
If Do Not Disturb mode is enabled on your iPhone, this can override your ringer and media volumes and mute sounds. Check if Do Not Disturb is on by swiping down from the top right corner of the screen to open Control Center, and look for the crescent moon icon.
If it’s on, tap the icon to disable Do Not Disturb. You can also adjust Do Not Disturb settings by going to Settings > Do Not Disturb on your iPhone.
Check App-Specific Volume Settings
It’s possible you have the system/ringer volume turned up, but the WhatsApp volume set lower specifically. Here’s how to check:
- Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Change with Buttons
- Make sure ‘Change with Buttons’ is set to ‘Ringer and Alerts’
- Now when you press the iPhone volume buttons, it will change the ringer volume.
- Play a WhatsApp status and see if the volume is as expected.
If it’s still low, follow these steps:
- Close WhatsApp
- Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Scroll down and tap WhatsApp
- Make sure the WhatsApp slider is set to your desired volume level
- Open WhatsApp and check a status – the volume should now be adjusted
Check if Silent Mode is Enabled
Silent Mode mutes all sound on your iPhone. To check if it’s enabled:
- Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen to open Control Center
- Look for the bell or ringer icon – if it has a line through it, Silent Mode is on
- Tap the icon to disable Silent Mode
With Silent Mode disabled, WhatsApp status volume should play as normal.
Restart Your iPhone
A simple device restart can often resolve temporary glitches like this. To restart your iPhone:
- Press and hold the Side/Power button until the power off slider appears.
- Drag the slider to turn your iPhone completely off.
- After 30 seconds, press and hold the Side/Power button again to turn your iPhone back on.
Once it has restarted, open WhatsApp and try viewing a status update again.
Check if WhatsApp Audio is Muted
It’s possible to mute audio within WhatsApp itself. To check and unmute:
- Open WhatsApp Settings > Notifications > Uncheck ‘Mute’ (if enabled)
- Close and reopen WhatsApp
- View a status – audio should no longer be muted
Update to the Latest WhatsApp Version
An outdated version of WhatsApp could potentially cause audio issues like this. To ensure you’re running the latest version:
- Open the App Store on your iPhone
- Tap your profile icon in the top right
- Scroll down and tap ‘Available Updates’
- Install any available WhatsApp updates
- Restart WhatsApp and check status volume again
Check if a Headphone Jack is Connected
If you have headphones or an audio cable connected to your iPhone’s headphone jack, this can override the main speaker and route all audio through that instead.
Make sure you disconnect any wired headphones or audio cables and try viewing the WhatsApp status directly through the iPhone speaker.
Rule Out Hardware Issues
In some cases, it may be a hardware issue causing low audio volume. To test this:
- Play music or video from another app – is the volume low here too?
- Try making a voice memo – is your recorded voice quiet?
- Blow into the bottom speaker grille – do you hear a lot of air movement?
If audio volume is low across multiple apps and recordings, or the speaker doesn’t seem to be outputting proper air movement, there may be an issue with the iPhone’s hardware itself – speaker damage, faulty audio components etc. You may need to get the device checked out by Apple or an authorized repair center.
Reset All Settings
If you’ve tried the above steps with no luck, a last resort is to reset all iPhone settings. This will delete any customized settings and revert everything back to defaults.
To do this, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings. You’ll still keep all your data and content, but may need to reconfigure some settings afterward.
Conclusion
Some common reasons for WhatsApp status having low volume on iPhone include low ringer volume, app-specific muting, Do Not Disturb mode, Silent mode, outdated app version, connected headphones, or hardware damage. Adjusting volume levels, ensuring no muting is enabled, updating WhatsApp, and checking audio components can typically resolve the issue.
For persistent problems a factory reset may help, or getting the iPhone serviced if a hardware fault is suspected. With the right checks and adjustments, you should be able to get WhatsApp status audio playing loud and clear.