diff --git a/hooks/useLiveKitRoom.ts b/hooks/useLiveKitRoom.ts
index 8841213..85282ee 100644
--- a/hooks/useLiveKitRoom.ts
+++ b/hooks/useLiveKitRoom.ts
@@ -435,6 +435,19 @@ export function useLiveKitRoom(options: UseLiveKitRoomOptions): UseLiveKitRoomRe
 
       logSuccess('Connected to room!');
 
+      // ========== CRITICAL: Start Audio Playback ==========
+      // This is REQUIRED for audio to play on iOS and Android!
+      // Without this call, remote audio tracks will NOT be heard.
+      logInfo('Starting audio playback (room.startAudio)...');
+      try {
+        await lkRoom.startAudio();
+        logSuccess(`Audio playback started! canPlaybackAudio: ${lkRoom.canPlaybackAudio}`);
+        setCanPlayAudio(lkRoom.canPlaybackAudio);
+      } catch (audioPlaybackErr: any) {
+        logError(`startAudio failed: ${audioPlaybackErr.message}`);
+        // Don't fail the whole call - audio might still work on some platforms
+      }
+
       // Check if connection was cancelled after connect
       if (isUnmountingRef.current || currentConnectionId !== connectionIdRef.current) {
         logWarn('Connection cancelled after room.connect()');