iPhone’s headphone security feature has been controversial and irritating, but there are reasons why you shouldn’t turn it off just yet.
iPhone headphone security feature, released with ios 14, aroused many different emotions among users. to some, the feature is admirable because it’s meant to keep people safe. on the other hand, the constant alerts and automatic volume adjustments are annoying and repressive.
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To make matters worse, even after deciding to turn it off, not all users can easily turn off the iphone headphone security. and apple’s restrictions to disable this feature doesn’t help either.
If you’re one of the many people who just want this feature to go away, we’re here to help! Here’s everything you need to know about the iPhone’s headphone security feature and steps to take if you decide to turn it off.
what is iphone headphone security feature?
iPhone’s headset security feature notifies users if the phone’s volume needs to be lowered. Apple released this feature to protect its users from potential hearing damage caused by listening too loudly for too long. also, the device will automatically lower the volume the next time you plug in your headphones.
key features of the iphone headphone security function
iPhone headset security feature is primarily based on two sets of recommendations. First of all, it is from the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. the other set of recommendations comes from the international electrotechnical commission (iec) standard for safe listening.
according to the who standard, adults should only listen to a maximum of 85 decibels for 8 hours a day. anything beyond that increases the risk of hearing damage. on the other hand, the iec standard recommends a protocol for notifying users of high sound output levels every 20 hours.
the iphone headphone safety feature automatically activates once you have reached the 7 day recommended audio exposure limit of 80 db for 40 hours.
The function has two ways of addressing its listening state. the first is through headset notifications where alerts are sent to you once you have reached the volume limit. the second way is called reduce loud sound where your device automatically limits the volume of its sound output.
why disabling iphone headphone security could harm you?
Whether we want the responsibility or not, it’s up to us to prevent hearing loss. As mentioned above, listening to anything louder than 85db for more than 8 hours a day can cause hearing damage.
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According to a 2017 study, the number of people suffering from hearing loss from the age of 20 is increasing. by 2060, 73 million adults are expected to suffer from hearing loss.
Things like the iPhone’s headset security feature are there to help you avoid being part of that number. therefore, disabling the feature leaves you out of control and at risk of crossing the security line.
then why do people still want to disable iphone headphone security?
There are several reasons why users want to disable the security feature of the iphone headphone. one is because the feature feels like an invasion of their freedom. another reason is how it negatively affects listening experience and enjoyment.
impact on personal freedoms
iPhone headset security is a protocol that is imposed on users. And a lot of people are calling out Apple to prevent the brand from forcing more limiters in the future.
For those who can’t disable the feature, this security feature seems patronizing. some people even compare it to your mom asking you to turn down the music. for these people, choosing which phone features to control is a right. not being able to do so represents a violation of their freedom.
reduced enjoyment of music
It’s no secret that some people prefer loud music, whether it’s for special occasions like parties or for everyday listening sessions. who can blame them? others just want to make their airpods louder because it’s fun.
Research suggests that music volume and enjoyment are more closely related than we thought. Loud music is known to heighten excitement and facilitate socializing. in the same city, loud music has been known to drown out both external sound and unwanted thoughts.
so if you stop the music from turning up when people want it to play, that’s like stopping them from having a good time.
how to disable iphone headphone security
The hatred towards the iphone headphone security feature isn’t exactly for the feature itself. after all, the feature was created to protect users from hearing damage. what annoys people is how the feature works, for example how difficult it is to turn it off.
However, if you’ve decided to turn off the iPhone’s headphone security feature, we’re here to tell you about the various ways you can do that.
The standard method is preferred, as it is the official way to disable the security feature. however, some people may need to resort to other ways. this includes altering bluetooth device settings or jailbreaking. read about them below:
standard method
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The standard method follows the official steps provided by apple. If you are thinking of disabling the headset’s security feature, we recommend that you follow this to avoid complications.
disabling the function via the standard method is very simple, here’s how to do it:
- Open Settings > Sounds & Haptics
Sounds and Haptics settings on iOS - Tap Headphone Safety.
Headphone Safety settings on iOS - Toggle the Headphone Notifications button to disable the notifications.
Turning off the iPhone Headphone Safety feature
solutions
several users will not be able to use the standard method, possibly due to regulations in their country. if you are one of them, don’t give up hope just yet because there are still some solutions you can try.
bluetooth device classification trick
your iphone classifies third-party wireless audio devices into various categories, including headphones. if the speakers are counted in your headphone data, you will surely reach the limit faster.
Fortunately, Apple allows you to classify third-party devices, as it doesn’t know which category they should belong to. You can even deliberately misclassify your headphones as speakers to bypass the iPhone’s headphone security feature.
Classifying your bluetooth devices requires some work, but solves this problem with the headset’s security feature. so, this is how you can do it for each of your bluetooth devices:
- Go to Settings > Bluetooth
Bluetooth Settings on iOS - Click the āiā button beside your chosen Bluetooth device.
Bluetooth additional settings - Choose Device Type.
Device Type Bluetooth Settings on iOS - Classify the device accordingly.
Reclassifying Bluetooth devices on iOS
jail break
This workaround has been used by redditors to bypass sound limits. Jailbreaking is the process of rewriting your device’s software to remove the restrictions imposed by Apple. doing so will allow you to disable the headset’s security feature even if you are in a country where this is not allowed.
However, jailbreaking offers a serious security risk to users. jailbroken phones are easily penetrated through pirate app stores. these stores are full of unregulated apps that can harbor viruses. Without apple security support, you won’t be able to turn to anyone for help if you’re compromised.
As a result, jailbreaking is strongly discouraged. but if you’re willing to give it a try, here’s a tutorial from icrackuridevice that you can follow at your own risk.
conclusion
Now you know the risks and possible repercussions of turning off the iphone headphone security tool. With this information, you can now freely decide whether to turn it off or not. At the end of the day, this feature can be annoying, but it exists for a good reason.
how did you decide to deal with the iphone headphone security feature? have you turned it off or not? let us know in the comments.
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