iPhone users noticing weird bug where media starts playing automatically on iOS 18

A strange bug has been making iPhone users scratch their heads and, in some cases, rush to hit the mute button. After upgrading to iOS 18, many users report that their phones start playing random media — from YouTube videos to podcasts — without any input. And it’s not just happening to one or two people. The issue seems widespread, affecting users on various devices running iOS 18.0 through the latest beta of 18.2.

I experienced the bug firsthand on my iPhone 13 running iOS 18.2 beta a couple of days ago. However, I assumed that I might have accidentally tapped the play button. My phone’s volume was set low, so I didn’t notice right away. Hours later, I realized it had been playing Joe Rogan podcast episodes in the background. Even more bizarre, the playback controls on the lock screen didn’t show what was playing. The only way to stop it was to force close the app.

It was only after that ordeal that I stumbled upon many similar complaints. A user on Reddit shared how their YouTube app starts playing audio randomly, even when the app isn’t open. Others chimed in with similar experiences. Some have been startled awake by random videos playing, while others faced embarrassment during meetings or presentations. One frustrated user said, “A random video I’ve never watched before started playing out loud during a meeting. It was so disruptive.”

While most reports mention YouTube as the culprit, it’s not alone. Some other users, like myself, noticed the problem even with Spotify. Some users theorize that background app refresh might be the culprit. A Reddit user claimed turning off this setting for YouTube seemed to stop the issue, but this is clearly just a temporary solution.

Interestingly, not everyone is experiencing the bug in the same way. While some hear full videos or podcasts, others report strange snippets of audio — random sounds, voices, or even ads. One Reddit user described their phone suddenly playing the sound of a hydraulic press, followed by gibberish.

So far, Apple hasn’t officially acknowledged the issue, and no clear fix is in sight. Users have resorted to disabling app notifications or outright deleting the offending apps to stop the random playback. While these temporary solutions help, they come at the cost of convenience.

This bug has been around since the early versions of iOS 18 and seems to persist even after updates. It’s unclear whether the issue is tied to specific apps or a major bug in iOS 18 itself. For now, all we can do is hope that Apple addresses it in an upcoming update. Until then, turning down your phone’s volume might save you from a podcast or video blaring at an awkward moment. Or you could always go old-school and leave your phone in another room.