iPhone microphone not working? 7 Ways to fix it!

Have you ever been on a call when suddenly the person on the other end cannot hear you? It can be pretty frustrating if your device has decided to go mute on you. Fear not! The following guide will show you how to fix the error when the microphone on your iPhone is not working properly.

1. Clean the iPhone microphones
2. Disable Bluetooth on your iPhone
3. Disconnect external headphones
4. Run audio diagnostics on iPhone
5. Give the app microphone access
6. Disable noise cancellation on iPhone
7. Other basic fixes

1. Clean the iPhone microphones

It may sound like a no-brainer, but sometimes your iPhone microphone stops working due to debris or dirt clogging it. As a result, I’d recommend cleaning your iPhone every once in a while. Before proceeding, remember to exercise caution to not damage the delicate hardware components.

1. To begin, inspect the microphones located at the bottom of your iPhone and near the rear camera.
2. If there is visible dirt or lint, gently clean them off with a soft-bristled brush or compressed air.

It’s the basic cleaning, and there’s more! Go through our detailed guide to deep clean your iPhone speaker and microphone. Once done, make calls or record audio to ensure that the mics are functioning correctly again.

2. Disable Bluetooth on your iPhone

Although Bluetooth facilitates smooth connectivity to various devices and accessories, it sometimes can interfere with the functionality of microphones on your iPhone. So, disable Bluetooth when not required to eliminate any potential conflicts and allow the microphone to resume proper operation.

1. Navigate to Settings → Tap Bluetooth.
2. Toggle off Bluetooth → Hit Turn Off when prompted.
3. Alternatively, open Control Centre → Tap the Bluetooth icon if enabled.
   
   

It will prevent your iPhone from automatically connecting to paired devices and use the mic on that device. Remember that this fix is specific for issues related to Bluetooth interference and may not resolve other underlying microphone problems.

3. Disconnect external headphones

If you are encountering issues with the iPhone’s microphone, try disconnecting any external microphones, wired headphones, or speakers that may be connected to your device.

This simple step can often resolve the problem as these external audio devices often interfere with the internal microphone functionality. By disconnecting all external audio accessories, you allow the iPhone’s built-in microphone to take over and function properly.

4. Run audio diagnostics on iPhone

When you suspect that the microphone on your iPhone is not working, perform a manual diagnostic test yourself to get the gist of the error. To do so, remove the case of your iPhone if you use any, and consider the following:

For the primary microphone:

1. Launch the Voice Memos app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the record icon and start talking.
3. After 10-20 seconds, pause the recording.
4. Now, play the recorded audio.
   
   
5. If you can hear your voice clearly, then your primary microphone is working correctly.

For back microphone:

1. Open the Camera and shift to Video.
2. Switch to the rear camera view.
3. Hit the record option and let the recording run for a while.
4. Now, stop the recording and play your recent video from the Photos app.
   
   
5. Your back microphone is also delicate if you can hear your voice without interruptions.

For front microphone:

1. Now repeat the same with the front-view camera.
2. Simply record and play the video.
3. If you can hear your voice clearly, the front microphone is working correctly.

These tests will allow you to test both internal microphones and determine if there are any faults or malfunctions. Thus, you can pinpoint any underlying problems with your iPhone’s microphone and take appropriate measures to resolve them effectively.

5. Give the app microphone access

If the mic stopped working on your iPhone for a specific application, maybe the respective app lacks the necessary permissions to comply. As a result, ensure the individual app has been granted microphone access. To do so:

1. Navigate to Settings → Select Privacy and Security.
2. Tap Microphone to view all installed apps that require microphone access.
3. Toggle on the app in which you want to use the mic.
   
   

While most apps ask for microphone access upon installation or initial usage, others might require manual adjustment in their settings. So, ensuring the needed app has microphone authorization will resolve any software-related issues.

6. Disable noise cancellation on iPhone

The noise cancellation feature is designed to enhance the audio quality while on call by reducing background noises. However, if your iPhone microphone does not work but the speaker does, this function can result in a malfunctioning microphone. It is just a software glitch, so don’t worry.

1. Open Settings → Navigate to Accessibility.
2. Now, select Audio/Visual.
3. Toggle off Phone Noise Cancellation.
   
   

Note: This feature is only available in iPhone 12 & earlier models. The newer iPhone models have advanced Voice Isolation feature.

However, it’s important to note that if the problem persists even after disabling noise cancellation or voice isolation, there may be other underlying factors causing this inconvenience.

7. Other basic fixes

• Restart your iPhone: If your iPhone microphone is not working, a simple restart may resolve the problem. This tends to refresh the operating system of your device and potentially fix minor glitches causing the microphone malfunction.
• Update to the latest iOS version: Another effective solution to this problem is to update your iPhone to the newest version. With the latest firmware, any software-related issues affecting your microphone will be addressed and resolved.
• Reset all settings: If the microphone is not responding even after updating your iPhone, it’s time to try something extreme. Consider factory resetting your iPhone to clear out potential glitches and incompatible configurations that might tamper with the mic’s functionality.

Revive the silence!

That’s it! From unraveling the enigma of software glitches to diving into the hardware realm, we’ve explored it all. If this problem persists, seeking assistance from Apple customer support is your only hope. Also, let me know which solution helped you unravel the mystery of your iPhone mic woes in the comments below.

Read more:

• How to Remove Microphone Icon from Keyboard on iPhone and iPad 
• AirPods microphone not working? 11 Ways to fix it! 
• How to use iPhone as microphone for Mac 

Readers like you help support iGeeksBlog. When you make a purchase using links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read Disclaimer.