iOS 18 bug silences iPhone 16 videos in Spatial Audio, but there’s a quick fix

If you’ve just updated to iOS 18 and you’re experiencing mysterious audio issues when recording videos, you’re not alone. In particular, some iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max users have been left wondering why their new phones suddenly go mute when they record videos in Spatial Audio mode. The good news? There’s a simple workaround that could save the day — and it’s linked to a feature that’s supposed to help, not hurt: Vocal Shortcuts.

The audio glitch seems to rear its ugly head when users try recording with Spatial Audio enabled. Videos play back without a peep, despite all other settings being spot-on. However, some tech-savvy iPhone users have stumbled upon a surprising solution: turning off Vocal Shortcuts in settings. That’s right! The very feature designed to boost accessibility and productivity is somehow muting your sound.

But that’s not all. This odd fix has also been helping users facing other audio headaches on iOS 18. For instance, some found that their Apple Music app was freezing or pausing out of nowhere, only to magically start working when Vocal Shortcuts were disabled. Even CarPlay users were left wondering why their music stopped mid-drive until they tried the same trick. And now, with the rise of this Spatial Audio recording issue, it’s looking more and more like Vocal Shortcuts may be bugged.

So, what gives? Why are these shortcuts causing more trouble than they’re worth? Well, while Apple hasn’t officially weighed in on this, all signs point to a glitch in how iOS 18 handles audio when certain features overlap. While turning off Vocal Shortcuts may not be an ideal long-term solution, it’s a quick fix to get your audio back on track until Apple rolls out a permanent patch.

Oh, and if you’re one of those who still has no sound even after disabling Vocal Shortcuts—don’t despair! Another handy workaround that’s been helping folks is switching from Spatial Audio to Mono Audio in settings. It might not have the same immersive feel, but at least you’ll be able to hear what you’re recording.

For now, while we wait for Apple to patch things up, remember: if your iPhone’s audio is acting up, Vocal Shortcuts might be the culprit. Who knew a feature meant to make life easier could end up causing so much trouble? Fingers crossed Apple sorts this out soon.