Beep Sound Not Playing on iOS

On iOS, there is a peculiar behavior where sounds played through the WebAudio API are muted if the iPhone's ringer is set to silent, even though the volume is turned up.

See Apple’s help page for info on how to get out of silent mode.

On some devices, the setting is controlled by a physical switched on the side of the device. In others, it's a system setting. Check the iOS settings and make sure you that audio is not muted system-wide.

Also go into your iOS Control Center and try toggling the bell icon. This is a poorly communicated button that controls your device’s audio. This might also be affected by your device’s ringer. Turn your ringer on — this might well unmute the audio.

This situation is made even more confusing by the fact that certain apps, such as YouTube, have special privileges to ignore the system-wide audio setting. This can fool you into believing your audio is not muted when it actually is.

Screenshot of an iOS device with the STRICH demo app open, and audio controls highlighted
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