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sysEngDude
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Audio stream(media + ringtone) merging annoying bug

Ios26 and now even Ios27 have this weird audio stream merging bug.


Say you keep your ringtone volume to max(which usually most of us do) and lower the media volume, say you’re in public watching a media in silence.


what happens now is, when you receive a call your media vol switches and matches the ringtone volume, which literally means blasting out your media content in public abruptly.


Issue is see. with/without earphones on ios27, well in ios26 keeping phone in silent didn’t switch media volume to ringtone volume, but ios27 made this bug even worse.


its really embarrassing and annoying that apple hasn’t patched this bug yet and its such a ‘everyday usecase bug’.


Switching of audio stream i believe isn’t a feature, it’s definitely a very very annoying bug.


I was able to reproduce this on 17 pro max and 17 as well.

Posted on Sep 16, 2026 1:56 AM

2 replies

SravanKrA
User level: Level 10 (454,138 points)

Sep 16, 2026 2:24 AM in response to sysEngDude

Now with Feedback Assistant available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and the web, it's easier to submit effective bug reports and request enhancements to APIs and tools ...


Feedback Assistant


SravanKrA
User level: Level 10 (454,138 points)

Sep 16, 2026 2:24 AM in response to sysEngDude

Adjusting Audio Settings on an iPhone

  1. Set Volume with Media
    1. To ensure media volume is properly controlled:
    2. Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics
    3. Under Ringer and Alerts, toggle Change with Buttons ON if you want volume buttons to adjust media volume instead of ringer volume.
    4. Alternatively, adjust the media volume by playing audio and using the volume buttons while media is playing.
  2. Background Sounds (Optional feature for accessibility and focus)
    1. If background sounds interfere with media playback:
    2. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual
    3. Tap Background Sounds
    4. If enabled, toggle Use When Media Is Playing to ON or OFF, depending on your preference.
    5. Adjust the volume slider accordingly.
  3. Screen Time Restrictions & Loud Audio
    1. Go to Settings > Screen Time
    2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions (Enable if it’s OFF)
    3. Tap Reduce Loud Sounds
    4. Set to Allow, ensuring iOS doesn’t automatically limit loud audio playback.
  4. Third-Party App Audio Settings
    1. For apps like Spotify, YouTube, Netflix, or games:
    2. Open the app
    3. Look for Settings (Toothed Wheel)
    4. Navigate to Audio, Sound, or Playback settings
    5. Adjust equalizer, volume levels, or specific audio enhancements as available.


Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256357947