iPhone Microphone is Not Working – Solution Guide

Is your iPhone microphone not working?  A malfunctioning microphone is way more than an inconvenience but can make your phone virtually unusable. The microphone is one of the most important pieces of hardware on our iPhones. It’s not just for calls, but for Siri, voice memos, messages, and all kinds of uses. Fortunately, there are several quick fixes that can get your microphone running perfectly in no time. Check out these essential tips:

Signs of iPhone Microphone Problems

This can happen on your iPhone, iPad, or any iOS device when you experience problems making calls, using FaceTime and Siri, or recording audio. Additional examples include: 

• Others can’t understand you during a FaceTime or regular phone call.
• Siri says, “sorry I didn’t get that” when you make requests or doesn’t hear the whole command.
• When playing back recorded audio, you don’t hear anything or it is unclear.
• If you are unable to change audio sources during Facetime or calls.

Know the Location of Your Microphones

So you actually have three microphones on your microphone. There are two on the front and one in the back between your camera lenses—depending on your iPhone model, the exact location may slightly vary:

You can test the primary microphone located on the bottom of your phone by opening Voice Memos. Press record and speak into the mic. End the recording and play it back. If you don’t hear your voice clearly, then this microphone is malfunctioning.

To check your front microphone, open up your camera and record a video with the front camera. To check the rear microphone, do the same except using the back camera. When you play back either video, you should be able to hear yourself clearly in the video recordings.

Sometimes, your voice might sound muffled during a call. Make sure your rear microphone isn’t obstructed by anything. Likewise, if you are having difficulty with Siri, be sure the front receivers aren’t obstructed or dirty.

Quick Fixes for Your iPhone Microphone Not Working

If you are having trouble with your microphones, don’t panic just yet. There are plenty of easy tips that can help fix your iPhone in no time.

• Make sure there are no Bluetooth headsets connected to your microphone that may be preventing normal function. Turn off Bluetooth and try testing again. In some cases, you may need to delete Bluetooth devices under the Forget this Device under the Bluetooth settings for a soft reset.
• Disconnect any headphones or other external accessories that may have microphone features or interfere with the connections.
• Remove any screen protectors, cases, or films which may be covering one of your microphones.
• Quit out of any apps that might be using your microphone connection.
• Check if there is a problem with your cellular/Wi-Fi connection or apps. For example, you can try a test call using Skype.
• For connection problems, try switching from cellular to Wi-Fi or vice versa. In some cases, you may need to take out your sim card and put it back in again.

For app malfunctions, check to see if there are any new updates. If not, delete and reinstall the app. Sometimes apps may not have permission to access the microphone so make sure they are enabled for whichever one you are trying to use.

Try a Hard Reboot of Your Device

If these techniques aren’t working for you, you may need to do a hard reboot of your phone. Think of hard reboots a more thorough restart of your phone clearing out more memory. Don’t worry, it won’t erase your data.

For iPhone 8/8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XR, iPhone XS

Press and release the Volume Up button, then press and release Volume Down. Then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears on your screen.

For iPhone 7/7 Plus

Press and hold the Volume Down button and Side button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.

For iPhone 6 and earlier models along with iPad

Press and hold the Home Button and Side button at the same time until the Apple logo shows up on the screen.

Update Your iPhone

iPhone updates are your best friend. Anytime Apple issues an update, you should update right away. Most importantly, they tend to be vital security patches. However, every time you update your phone, you also perform a deep system check and reset that will go through your entire phone and often can fix any bugs and issues you may be experiencing. You can also try a complete system restore although you will lose all the data on your iPhone so only resort to that as a final option. Make sure your sync your phone to iCloud before you do a restore. 

Microphone Still Not Working? Test Your Accessories

If you are still having issues with your iPhone microphone not working, check and see if you have any luck with accessories. You can connect with Bluetooth devices, headphones or other devices and see if they work. If these work normally then you are likely experiencing a hardware malfunction with your built-in microphones. However, if you’re still unable to hear your voice or it sounds unclear, there may be another problem going on somewhere in the iOS. In that case, your best option will be to take your iPhone over to your nearest Apple repair shop. 

Ultimately, a malfunctioning microphone isn’t too big of a problem. If you’re phone isn’t covered by Applecare, you can find affordable DIY kits online. Or if your microphone is just one of the many issues you might be experiencing with your iPhone, then maybe it’s time for an upgrade. Check out this helpful guide on how you can upgrade your iPhone in just a few easy steps!