Apple released iOS 17.5 on May 13, which included a new puzzle game and third-party tracker detection. However, a feature that could greatly enhance phone call quality was introduced in iOS 16.4 over a year ago. This feature, called Voice Isolation, muffles distracting background noises during phone calls to ensure a clearer communication experience. While Wide Spectrum was also added for FaceTime calls in iOS 15, Voice Isolation is the only option currently available for phone calls. To activate Voice Isolation, users need to be on a phone call and swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to access the Control Center. From there, users can tap on Mic Mode and select Voice Isolation. This feature will remain active for all subsequent phone calls until manually turned off.
Voice Isolation works by reducing background noise during phone calls, allowing users to have more focused and uninterrupted conversations. By turning on this feature, users can avoid distractions such as a barking dog or loud construction noise while on a call. To disable Voice Isolation, users can follow the same steps as enabling it and select the Standard option in Mic Mode. Additionally, another feature called Wide Spectrum is available for FaceTime calls, which amplifies background sounds without affecting the user’s voice. While Wide Spectrum is not yet available for phone calls, it may be introduced in the future as it is present in Mic Mode during phone calls.
Wide Spectrum is particularly useful for group calls on FaceTime, enabling all participants to be heard clearly. This feature amplifies background sounds to enhance the overall communication experience. While Voice Isolation is currently limited to phone calls, Wide Spectrum is exclusive to FaceTime calls. However, since Wide Spectrum is still present in Mic Mode during phone calls, there is a possibility of it being introduced for phone calls in future updates. For more information on iOS 17 and its features, users can refer to the iOS 17.5 release notes and the iOS 17 cheat sheet. Additionally, users can anticipate potential updates and features in iOS 18 at WWDC 2024.
In conclusion, Apple continues to enhance the user experience on iPhones with new features and updates. The introduction of Voice Isolation in iOS 16.4 and its subsequent availability for phone calls in iOS 17.5 marks a significant improvement in call quality. By muffling distracting background noises, Voice Isolation enables users to have clearer and more focused conversations. While Wide Spectrum remains exclusive to FaceTime calls, it may be introduced for phone calls in the future. Users can benefit from these features by following simple steps to enable and disable Voice Isolation during phone calls.Overall, the inclusion of Voice Isolation and the potential introduction of Wide Spectrum for phone calls demonstrates Apple’s commitment to improving communication experiences on iPhones.
