Microphone broken? This is how you check it
Are you calling with your iPhone, but is it difficult to hear? Or are you making an iPhone video and hearing a very loud hum in the sound of the recording? These are just two problems that indicate problems with your iPhone’s microphone. Unfortunately, if your iPhone microphone is not working, it is quite difficult to determine the underlying cause. Here we discuss problems such as: the sound drops out during a call, noise or little sound during a call.
- Where is the microphone?
- Is the case in the way?
- Test microphone
- Microphone not working
- Problems with apps
- Problems while calling
Are you unable to make calls and are unable to establish a connection? Then there may be something else going on and we would like to refer to the tip below:
Where is the iPhone microphone located?
An iPhone has multiple microphones. If one microphone is having problems but the other is not, then you will only experience problems in some apps or in some situations. How do you find which iPhone microphone is broken?
In total, there are 2 to 4 microphones in your iPhone, depending on the model:
- At least one microphone on the bottom of your iPhone, next to the charging port (recognizable by the slightly wider grille).
- At the top of the screen near the front camera (on models with Dynamic Island this can be felt as a narrow line along the edge of the screen).
- On the back of your iPhone, next to the camera lenses (this can be recognized by a small hole).
If the microphone does not work properly, this is almost always caused by the main microphone at the bottom. The other microphones mainly have a supporting role, for example for noise reduction during telephone conversations.
Option 1: Microphone does not work due to case
A problem that is sometimes overlooked is that the microphone is blocked by a case. Maybe the holes in your case are in the wrong place, or there is something else blocking the microphones. The case may be poorly designed or there may be a manufacturing error. That it can happen to the best of people is evident from the fact that some copies of Apple’s official silicone cases were delivered without speaker and microphone holes (see the left photo with the green cover).
Option 2: Test your iPhone’s microphone
To test the different microphones in your iPhone, you first need to know which application uses which iPhone microphone. It is important that you do not accidentally block one of the microphones with your hand during testing. It is also wise to remove the device from any iPhone case to prevent it from blocking a microphone. Of course, also make sure that you do not have (wireless) headphones connected when you test.
You can test the different iPhone microphones as follows:
- Is the iPhone microphone sound too quiet? You can test the microphone on the bottom by making a recording with the Dictaphone app. Make a short recording in a quiet environment and listen to see if it sounds good.
- The microphones on the front and back are used when you make a video recording. By making a short iPhone video you will notice if one of those two microphones has a problem.
Option 3: Microphone problems with specific app
Does the microphone work during testing, but not within a specific app? You probably haven’t given the app permission to use your microphone. You can still do this in the Settings app under Privacy and security > Microphone. If the app has access, but your microphone still doesn’t work, the problem may be caused by a bug in the app.
Another tip is to go to Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone to disable microphone access for that app and then use a feature that requires the microphone. The app will then show a pop-up with the option to grant permission for the microphone again.
Option 4: iPhone microphone not working when calling
Are you unintelligible when you call with your iPhone? People can’t hear you with your iPhone? Then this could be caused by noise canceling. You can disable this setting by going to General > Accessibility in the Settings app and then turning off Noise Canceling.
My iPhone microphone isn’t working!
If you notice during testing that one of the iPhone microphones is not working properly, it is good to double check that there is nothing covering the microphone. This could also be a screen protector, for example. You can also clean the microphone with a cotton swab or (carefully) with a can of compressed air. The problem can be caused by caked-on dirt and you can spray it away. If your iPhone has been in (salt) water for some time, salt or lime crystals can block the opening of the microphone.
Do you continue to have iPhone microphone problems? Then the iPhone microphone is probably broken and it is better to make an appointment for an iPhone repair. If your device is less than a year old, it is covered by the warranty. Read our tip for more information about iPhone warranty.
No more warranty? Then you can make an appointment with Apple Support for the best service. Other options are through an Apple Service Provider or an unofficial repairer. We have an iPhone repair tip that tells you everything you need to know.
