iPhone 13 Won’t Play Audio Through USB, How-to Fix

A lot has been said about how the iPhone 13 series is more of an iterative update over a revolutionary one. Even more, has been said about how the camera system is second to none, and we’re getting even closer to being able to stop using traditional cameras.

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But one of the key reasons to use an iPhone, or any smartphone for that matter, is to enjoy our favorite music. That’s why accessories like the AirPods 3 or AirPods Max are so popular. Apple even introduced a completely new Apple Music plan for those who want to enjoy their favorite music with the HomePod Mini.

iPhone 13 Won’t Play Audio through USB

While it’s great to be able to use any of the AirPods with your iPhone, there are those who still rely on plugging their phone in. This is largely for those who don’t have Bluetooth audio in the car and need to plug in the iPhone for things like CarPlay or to get directions playing through the speakers.

But what are you supposed to do if your iPhone 13 won’t play audio through USB? Luckily, there’s a pretty easy fix, and you don’t have to worry about taking your iPhone into your local Apple Store for a replacement. Here’s how you can fix if your iPhone 13 won’t play audio through USB:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap Music.
3. Under the Audio section, tap EQ.
4. Tap Off at the top of the page.

If you continue to have issues even after turning off the equalizer, we would recommend restarting your iPhone. This ensures that the EQ settings remain off, even after plugging the USB cable back into your iPhone.

You might be asking yourself why would you use USB audio instead of Bluetooth. Well, the truth is that to fully enjoy the wonder of Lossless Audio playback with Apple Music, the best experience is using wired headphones. These need to be compatible with the iPhone, of course, but audiophiles much prefer to use wired headphones instead of Bluetooth.

And in order to use those wired headphones, you’ll need to use a Lightning to USB adapter, or a DAC (digital audio converter). Then, you can plug in your favorite headphones, sit back and enjoy your favorite songs and playlists in ways you never thought possible.

Andrew Myrick

Andrew Myrick is a freelance writer based on the East Coast of the US. He enjoys everything to do with technology, including tablets, smartphones, and everything in between. Perhaps his favorite past-time is having a never-ending supply of different keyboards and gaming handhelds that end up collecting more dust than the consoles that are being emulated.