diff --git a/utils/audioSession.ts b/utils/audioSession.ts
index 48101f2..9ba9f6d 100644
--- a/utils/audioSession.ts
+++ b/utils/audioSession.ts
@@ -51,29 +51,31 @@ export async function configureAudioForVoiceCall(): Promise<void> {
 
     if (Platform.OS === 'ios') {
       // iOS-specific configuration
+      // IMPORTANT: Use 'videoChat' mode instead of 'voiceChat' to enable speaker by default
+      // voiceChat + defaultToSpeaker causes OSStatus error -50 on some iOS versions
       console.log('[AudioSession] Step 1: Setting Apple audio config...');
       await AudioSession.setAppleAudioConfiguration({
         audioCategory: 'playAndRecord',
-        // Note: removed 'allowBluetoothA2DP' - it's incompatible with playAndRecord
-        // on some iOS versions and causes "status -50" error.
-        // 'allowBluetooth' (HFP profile) is sufficient for voice calls.
+        // Only use options that are safe with playAndRecord category
+        // Removed 'defaultToSpeaker' - it conflicts with some iOS versions
+        // Instead, using 'videoChat' mode which defaults to speaker
         audioCategoryOptions: [
           'allowBluetooth',
-          'defaultToSpeaker',
           'mixWithOthers',
         ],
-        audioMode: 'voiceChat',
+        // Use 'videoChat' instead of 'voiceChat' - it enables speaker by default
+        audioMode: 'videoChat',
       });
 
-      console.log('[AudioSession] Step 2: Setting default output...');
+      console.log('[AudioSession] Step 2: Starting audio session...');
+      await AudioSession.startAudioSession();
+
+      console.log('[AudioSession] Step 3: Setting default output to speaker...');
       await AudioSession.configureAudio({
         ios: {
           defaultOutput: 'speaker',
         },
       });
-
-      console.log('[AudioSession] Step 3: Starting audio session...');
-      await AudioSession.startAudioSession();
     } else if (Platform.OS === 'android') {
       // Android-specific configuration
       // IMPORTANT: Using 'music' stream type to force output to speaker
@@ -154,18 +156,15 @@ export async function reconfigureAudioForPlayback(): Promise<void> {
     }
 
     if (Platform.OS === 'ios') {
-      // Just reconfigure the same settings - this "refreshes" the audio routing
+      // Reconfigure with same safe settings - this "refreshes" the audio routing
       await AudioSession.setAppleAudioConfiguration({
         audioCategory: 'playAndRecord',
-        // Note: removed 'allowBluetoothA2DP' - it's incompatible with playAndRecord
-        // on some iOS versions and causes "status -50" error.
-        // 'allowBluetooth' (HFP profile) is sufficient for voice calls.
         audioCategoryOptions: [
           'allowBluetooth',
-          'defaultToSpeaker',
           'mixWithOthers',
         ],
-        audioMode: 'voiceChat',
+        // Use 'videoChat' - defaults to speaker
+        audioMode: 'videoChat',
       });
     } else if (Platform.OS === 'android') {
       // Reconfigure Android audio to ensure speaker output
@@ -209,22 +208,20 @@ export async function setAudioOutput(useSpeaker: boolean): Promise<void> {
     }
 
     if (Platform.OS === 'ios') {
-      // iOS: Configure audio output
+      // iOS: Update configuration based on desired output
+      // Use 'videoChat' mode for speaker, 'voiceChat' for earpiece
+      await AudioSession.setAppleAudioConfiguration({
+        audioCategory: 'playAndRecord',
+        audioCategoryOptions: ['allowBluetooth', 'mixWithOthers'],
+        audioMode: useSpeaker ? 'videoChat' : 'voiceChat',
+      });
+
+      // Also set default output
       await AudioSession.configureAudio({
         ios: {
           defaultOutput: useSpeaker ? 'speaker' : 'earpiece',
         },
       });
-
-      // Also update the full configuration to ensure it takes effect
-      // Note: removed 'allowBluetoothA2DP' - causes "status -50" error
-      await AudioSession.setAppleAudioConfiguration({
-        audioCategory: 'playAndRecord',
-        audioCategoryOptions: useSpeaker
-          ? ['allowBluetooth', 'defaultToSpeaker', 'mixWithOthers']
-          : ['allowBluetooth', 'mixWithOthers'],
-        audioMode: 'voiceChat',
-      });
     } else if (Platform.OS === 'android') {
       // Android: Switch stream type to control speaker/earpiece
       // - 'music' stream goes to speaker by default