If you’ve ever been on the phone while a babbling newborn steals the show, you’ll appreciate the latest enhancement from Apple. The new Voice Isolation feature on the iPhone can dramatically improve the clarity of your voice while blocking out background noise, making for a better calling experience.
Launched with iOS 16.4 in 2023, Voice Isolation is a game changer. While Apple introduced Wide Spectrum for FaceTime calls back in iOS 15, Voice Isolation is currently the only mode available for standard phone calls. This means you can focus on conversation without distractions from your surroundings.
Activating Voice Isolation is straightforward, but it’s done on an active call since it’s not listed in the Settings app. Once enabled, the feature remains active for future calls until you decide to switch it off.
How to Enable Voice Isolation
1. Open your Phone app.
2. While on a call, swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone to open the Control Center.
3. Select Phone Controls near the top of your screen.
4. Tap Voice Isolation.
To turn off Voice Isolation, simply follow the same steps and select Standard in Phone Controls. This will restore your microphone to its default setting.
Exploring Wide Spectrum and Automatic Modes
In addition to Voice Isolation, you’ll see two other options in Phone Controls: Wide Spectrum and Automatic. Each serves a different purpose. While Voice Isolation minimizes background noise, Wide Spectrum amplifies sounds around you, making it ideal for group calls. This feature currently works only for FaceTime calls, but its presence in Phone Controls hints at potential future updates.
The Automatic mode dynamically selects the best microphone setting based on your situation. For example, it uses Voice Isolation when you’re on the receiver and switches to Standard when using speakerphone, optimizing your calling experience.
If you’re keen on staying updated, keep an eye out for further enhancements as Apple continues to roll out features in iOS 26. A deeper dive into the latest updates highlights crucial improvements worth noting.