Don't Cry Over iPhone Audio Skipping! Try These Proven Fixes

Updated by Brian Davis on Dec 16, 2025 • Category: Fix iPhone Issues
6 mins read

"Lately, my iPhone audio has been skipping every few seconds across all apps, no matter which output I use. I have contacted Apple Support, and I'm curious if anyone else has experienced this issue?" -- From Apple Community

There have been many reports from iPhone users experiencing iPhone audio skipping during music and media playback. Songs may stutter, glitch, or skip unexpectedly, and in some cases, the audio sounds robotic or falls out of sync with videos. This issue can be especially frustrating when it interrupts your favorite tracks.

In this guide, we'll walk you through 8 effective ways to fix iPhone audio skipping. The solutions are simple, easy to follow, and don't require advanced technical skills. Some methods can even resolve the issue quickly. Let's take a look at the fixes that actually work.

fix iphone audio skipping

Part 1. Why Is My iPhone Audio Skipping?

iPhone audio skipping is usually caused by a few common issues. Here are the most likely reasons, from most to least common.

1. Bluetooth interference – Unstable wireless connection can cause audio dropouts or skipping.

2. Low device battery – Power-saving behavior may interrupt audio playback.

3. App-specific issues – Bugs or glitches in a single app can cause skipping.

4. Poor network connection – Streaming audio may skip due to weak Wi-Fi or cellular signal.

5. iOS software bugs – System-level issues can affect audio performance.

6. Low storage or high system load – Limited resources can interrupt smooth playback.

7. Hardware problems – Speaker, port, or internal component issues may cause skipping.

Part 2. How to Fix iPhone Audio Skipping

Now that we've covered the common reasons why iPhone audio may skip or cut out, it's time to look at how to fix the problem. The good news is that most audio skipping issues can be resolved with simple adjustments or quick checks. Below are eight practical and effective solutions you can try to restore smooth, uninterrupted sound on your iPhone.

Fix 1. Soft Restart Your iPhone

There is a simple workaround but worked for some users. It turns out that when you perform a soft reset or simply reboot your iPhone, the problem goes away. For starters, here's how you can reboot your iPhone:

Step 1. Continue to press the Sleep/Wake button and the Lower Volume button. On the iPhone X and later models, you'll find the Sleep/Wake button on the right side of the phone.

Step 2. When you see the Slider, rest your finger on it and then swipe to the right.

Step 3. To turn your device back on, press and hold the Power button again until you see the Apple logo appear.

icon Note

If you're using an iPhone SE or an iPhone 8 or earlier, hold down the Sleep/Wake button until the slider appears to shut down your iPhone.

soft restart iphone

Fix 2. Force Restart Your iPhone

Another procedure you can use to reset your iPhone is to do what Apple officially calls a "force restart".

For iPhone 8 or later models,

  • Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, follow up by the Volume Down button.
  • Press and hold the Power button until you see the Apple logo.

For iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus,

  • Keep pressing the Power button and the Volume Down button at the same time until the Apple logo appears.

For iPhone 6S or earlier model,

  • Hold the Power button the Home button together until you see the Apple logo.

force restart iphone

Fix 3. Relaunch Problematic App

Apps on your iPhone might occasionally start to behave erratically. That's why you'll find the stabilizing iPhone audio skipping. You can choose to launch the built-in App Switcher. It allows you to manage all of the apps on your phone. This way you can fix temporary issues that may occur in your app.

Step 1. On iPhone X or later: Swipe upward from the bottom edge of the screen, pause slightly near the middle of the screen, and then lift your finger; On iPhone with Home button: Double-press the Home button quickly.

Step 2. You can swipe left or right to look through to choose the audio playing app and click on the red icon.

Step 3. Tap on the app once again to relaunch it and play audio to check if it works as expected.

force close apps on iphone

Fix 4. Update the Apps

If precious steps can't solve the problem, try to update the apps. In the new version, the developer regularly fixes bugs, improves its stability and compatibility, and introduces the newest features. So, it's essential and useful to ensure the apps are updated. Here is the way to do so. Let's have a look!

To manually update apps on iPhone:

Step 1. On the iPhone Home screen, long-press the App Store.

Step 2. Choose Updates → Update All or UPDATE near the individual apps.

update apps on iphone

To automatically update apps on iPhone:

Step 1. Head to the iPhone Settings directly.

Step 2. Click on App Store.

Step 3. Under Automatic Downloads, toggle on App Updates.

automatic update software iphone

Fix 5. Re-install the Specific App

After applying the above methods, does the audio still keep skipping or pausing constantly? If yes, don't panic. Try to delete the app and install it once again to resolve iPhone audio skipping problem. Delete and install a new one can restore any of your third-party apps to their initial state. A new app usually fixes any problems you might be having. But note that reinstalling an app will erase all of its settings.

Delete the app:

Step 1. Long-press the app icon that you want to remove.

Step 2. Select Remove App command.

Step 3. When you receive a prompt, tap Delete to confirm.

delete apps on iphone home screen

Redownload the app:

Step 1. Open App Store on your iPhone.

Step 2. Tap the profile icon in the top right corner.

Step 3. Choose Purchased then My Purchases.

Step 4. Do redownload an app, tap the cloud arrow symbol for the app.

redownload apps iphone from app store

Fix 6. Restore iPhone Using iTunes

Another proven solution for the problem is to restore your iPhone. For most iPhone software problems, this has proven to be an effective solution. This procedure, however, results in the loss of data. So, it usually discourages many iPhone users from using it. Before you proceed to restore our iPhone using the following steps, back up your data first.

Step 1. Open the iTunes app on a computer.

Step 2. Plug an Apple USB cable into your iPhone.

Step 3. Once you have chosen the "Restore iPhone..." option, wait for the process to complete.

Step 4. Start your iPhone and see if song skipping continues.

restore iphone using itunes

As an alternative to restoring your iPhone, you can use the following third-party application that helps you resolve your problem without compromising the security of your data.

Fix 7. Fix iPhone Audio Skipping with Software

iPhone audio skipping may trigger by an iOS issue. Under this circumstance, using a third-party program is one of the simplest ways to fix software issues or bugs on your iPhone. TunesKit iOS System Recovery is the amazing one for you to clear up all your annoyances of iOS after comparing it with others. Besides being able to fix 150+ possible iOS issues, it doesn't affect your data at all. In more, it can fix iPhone boot loop, iPhone won't update or any other iOS issues with ease. Yes, it's compatible with all the iOS devices from iPhone, iPad, iPod touch.

Fix iPhone Audio Skipping Instantly

TunesKit iOS System Recovery helps you eliminate iPhone audio skipping by repairing system issues quickly and safely—no data loss required.

Try It Free safe 600,000+ Downloads

Let's download this feature-rich tool and follow the step-by-step guide to repair stabilizing iphone audio skipping issue.

Step 1Install and Launch the Program on Your Computer; Connect iPhone to PC

Firstly, get TunesKit iOS System Recovery on a computer and connect your iPhone to the computer via USB cable. Click the iOS System Repair option to proceed. And then click the Start button to continue.

connect iphone

Step 2 Select Standard Repair

After the device gets recognized, choose Standard Repair. This mode can fix your iPhone audio skipping issue without data loss. Then this software will automatically let your iPhone into recovery mode, and you should follow the on-screen guide to put your iPhone into DFU mode.

select standard mode

Step 3Automatically Download the Firmware

This program will automatically detect your iPhone and show you the device information. Check and confirm. Select the "Download" button to enable the program to download the firmware.

download firmware

Step 4Start to Repair Your iPhone Device

Within a few minutes of the firmware download, the program will repair your iPhone. Click the Repair button to initiate the next process. Do not disconnect your iPhone from the computer during the process.

fix iphone audio skipping

Fix 8. Have Apple Check Your iPhone

You might need an Apple-certified technician if you can't do the last method by yourself. The technician needs to ensure that a corrupted iOS system isn't responsible for the problem. Once the hardware on your phone has been tested, if the problem persists, they may need to check the hardware. Apple stores are equipped to provide all of these services.

ask apple support for help

Part 3. FAQs about iPhone Audio Skipping

  • 1. Could low storage cause audio to skip?

    Yes. If your iPhone storage is nearly full, or the device is running many apps simultaneously, audio playback can lag or skip. Freeing up storage and restarting the device often helps.

  • 2. How to test if it's the iPhone or the audio device?

    You can play the same audio on another device using the same headphones, and try a different pair of headphones with your iPhone. If skipping happens only on one combination, the issue is with that device or connection.

  • 3. Does it happen with wired headphones too?

    Yes. Audio can skip over wired or Lightning headphones if the headphone plug or port is damaged, dust or debris is in the port, and the audio file itself is corrupted.

  • 4. Why does audio skip over Bluetooth?

    There are some reasons causing this issue, for instance, weak signal between iPhone and Bluetooth device, interference from Wi-Fi routers or other Bluetooth devices, low battery on the audio device, and using older Bluetooth codecs that can't handle high-quality audio smoothly.

Part 4. Summary

It might surprise you to learn there are actually a couple of ways to go about fixing iPhone audio skipping. Now you're ready to listen to your favorite music. Compare with other methods, using TunesKit iOS System Recovery, you can service your device yourself, straight-forwardly, and reliably. I hope this guide was helpful and answered what you were looking for. If you have any queries, write them down in the comments below and hit submit to contact us.

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