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iOS 14: How to activate sound detection

Milan Jovicic by Milan Jovicic
June 28, 2020 - 2:48 PM CEST
in Apple Tips & Tricks
0
Galati, Romania - October 26, 2018: Apple launch the new smartphone iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. iPhone Xs Max on black background.

Galati, Romania - October 26, 2018: Apple launch the new smartphone iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. iPhone Xs Max on black background.

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Apple has implemented numerous useful features in iOS 14. But sound detection is definitely one of the most useful functions. 

As part of the major iOS and iPadOS updates, Apple has implemented a remarkable feature in the area of accessibility. Sound detection is a function that is primarily intended to help people with hearing impairments. The description states:

iOS 14: Twelve different sounds 

The iPhone constantly listens for certain sounds and will use artificial intelligence on the device to try to notify you when sounds are detected.

A total of twelve different sounds are available, divided into four categories. 

alarm

  • Fire
  • Siren
  • smoke

Animals

  • Cat
  • Dog

Household

  • household appliances
  • car horn
  • doorbell
  • door knocking
  • Running water

persons

  • baby crying
  • shouting

Although the feature could prove useful, Apple warns against it. The description states:

You should not rely on sound detection when you are in situations where you could be injured or harmed, in high-risk or emergency situations, or when navigating.

So I would like to show you, of course with reservations, how to activate the function. 

How to enable sound detection on your iPhone or iPad

To enable sound detection in iOS 14, you need to go to the "Accessibility" section of the iOS Settings and select "Sound Detection." You can then enable the feature. 

Screenshot: Apfelpatient
Screenshot: Apfelpatient

Please note: Enabling this option will require approximately 5.5 MB of storage space on your device. You can now choose from the sounds mentioned above under "Sounds." 

Screenshot: Apfelpatient
Screenshot: Apfelpatient

From now on, your iPhone or iPad will continuously search for the sounds you have selected. As soon as a match is found thanks to the device's internal intelligence, you will receive a notification.

How to add sound detection to your control center

Since most people probably won't use the feature all the time, sound detection must be deactivated and reactivated from time to time. Using the iOS settings would be much longer – Apple knows this too. For this reason, the function can be stored in the Control Center. The prerequisite for this: The feature must be enabled. So, open the iOS settings and navigate to the "Control Center" menu item. This is where you can add the function. If you now open the Control Center and click on the "Sound Detection" option, you can deactivate or activate it. 

Screenshot: Apfelpatient
Screenshot: Apfelpatient

If you press and hold, a submenu opens where you can turn the individual sounds on or off. From here you can also access the full settings. (Photo by manae / Bigstockphoto)

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Milan Jovicic

Milan Jovicic

Milan founded Apfelpatient in 2016 and has been responsible for all editorial content since 2018 – news, rumors, how-to guides and product reviews. Here, Apple devices aren't review units kept for two weeks, they're everyday tools: from iPhone to MacBook Pro, MacBook Air and iMac all the way to Apple Vision Pro, at least one device from every product category is in daily use, many of them replaced every year. Every menu path in a guide is checked on the device before it goes live.

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