Apple has disarmed an automatic headphone safety feature that is causing a lot of annoyance among iOS 14 users. In the future it will be possible to assign a device type to Bluetooth speakers, for example “Autostereo” or “Speakers”, like testers of the iOS beta 14 .4 reports. As a result, the iPhone should no longer automatically turn the audio output on such clearly categorized devices quietly, because they are no longer included in the noise level measurement for headphones.

iPhone automatically turns down – also Bluetooth speakers To prevent hearing damage, the iPhone automatically reduces the headphone volume after reaching the “recommended 7-day limit”, as Apple explains. So far, this includes – up to the current version iOS 14. 3 – but also classic Bluetooth speakers or infotainment systems in cars that act as headphones and thus erroneously included in the measurement of the operating system for headphone volume.

The consequence: the iPhone suddenly turns the music playback on all these devices quietly if it thinks the user has had too long and too loud Listening to music through his “headphones” – much to the frustration of the owner.

Apple refers to guidelines of the WHO Apple’s limit values ​​are based on a combination of volume and time, as the manufacturer explains, the exposure limits were set according to the guidelines of the World Health Organization. If the volume exceeds, for example 80 decibels, iOS regulates 14 after 40 hours (within 7 days). If you hear louder than with 90 decibels, the volume is reduced after four hours. With Apple’s own headphone hardware like AirPods, the measurement of the audio level seems to be relatively accurate, but with third-party hardware the operating system has to fall back on estimates.

To make matters worse, the headphone security function can not be switched off in certain regions such as Europe. Apple refers here to “regulations and safety standards”, and this does not seem to change with iOS 14. 4

(lbe)