Relatively few iPhone users know about the existence of live listen function. This is an inconspicuous option hidden in the settings that can turn the phone into a microphone that transmits sounds from the environment straight to our headphones. Apple It created it for hearing impaired people, but also has more applications.
How does Live Listen work and where does it work?
The Live Listen function turns the iPhone into a microphone that transmits the sounds of the environment straight to the headphones. For people with hearing problems, it works great in loud places to break through the noise and better hear your interlocutor. Many parents use this function as a makeshift electronic nanny. They leave the iPhone in the room child And through Airpods they hear every sound, even being in a different room.
We turn on the wiretap step by step
Launning live listen is easy:
- We enter the phone settings
- We find the “control center” option
- We look for “hearing” on the list of available functions and add it
- Now just slide your finger from the upper right corner of the screen, touch the ear icon and start live listening
Important – the function works only with the original Apple headphones: all AirPods models (ordinary, PRO and Max) and Powerbeats Pro. Ordinary wired or other wireless headphones will not work.
How do we know that someone eavesdrops on us?
Apple did not want the function to be used for spying, therefore The phone always signals the work of the microphone. An orange dot appears in the upper right corner of the screen – exactly the same as when recording video or calling by phone. If you notice such a signal on someone's iPhone, it probably means that someone eavesdrops on us.
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Live Listen function works only within Bluetooth, So a maximum of 10-15 meters from the phone, and with direct visibility. Walls and other obstacles significantly reduce this range.
The sound quality is also not perfect. In a quiet room we will hear conversations quite clearly, but in a noisy surroundings the microphone collects all sounds, not only those we want to hear. In addition, when Live Loen is turned on, we cannot listen to music or other sounds at the same time.
The idea was born as an alternative to hearing aids. For people with a slight hearing loss, the function can actually be helpful. Over time, users found other applications for her – from the aforementioned electronic nanny to facilitating communication in a loud environment.