Find the cause step by step
- Turn off Bluetooth and remove the case.
- Record a clip in the voice recorder (bottom mic) and a video with the rear camera (usually the top mic).
- Clean the hole that failed with a soft dry brush or compressed air, never a needle.
- Works in the recorder but not in one app: allow that app’s mic permission.
Symptom, cause and fix
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Silent everywhere | Mic hole blocked, or a fault | Clean it; repair shop |
| Silent only on calls | Bluetooth or the bottom mic | Turn off Bluetooth; clean |
| Silent in one app only | Permission denied | Allow the permission |
| Muffled voice in videos | Top mic dirty or covered | Clean it; remove the case |
Where to find it on your device
- Android: Settings › Security & privacy › Privacy › Permission manager › Microphone (the path varies by brand).
- iPhone: Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone.
Related questions
How many mics does a phone have?
Most have two or three: one at the bottom (calls and voice notes), one at the top (noise cancellation and videos) and sometimes one near the camera.
Does water damage the mic?
It can make the sound muffled until it dries. Turn the phone off, let it dry somewhere airy and don’t use a hair dryer or rice.
Does the test on this page work on a phone?
Yes: open it in the phone’s browser, tap Test microphone and allow access.
My iPhone mic is not working. Anything iPhone-specific?
Record a Voice Memo, a selfie video and a rear-camera video to test each mic. If only calls fail, check that audio isn’t going to AirPods and, during a call, set Mic Mode to Standard in Control Center.
The mic doesn’t work on calls but works on speaker. Is it the same?
That’s a specific case: the phone uses a different mic on speakerphone. See our page on the phone mic only working on speaker.
More problems: microphone test
- Mic not working on PC: how to fix it on Windows
- Headset mic not working on PC: how to fix it
- Laptop mic not working: how to fix it
- Mic not working on Discord: how to fix it
- Mic not working in Google Meet: how to fix it
- Mic not working in Teams: how to fix it
- WhatsApp mic not working: silent voice messages and calls
- Mic too quiet on PC: how to turn up the volume
- Mic static and background noise: how to get rid of it
- Mic echo: why other people hear their own voice
- Mic cutting out on Discord: how to fix it
- Phone mic only works on speaker: why and how to fix it
- OBS mic too quiet: how to make it louder without hiss
- How to test a mic on PC, laptop, phone, iPhone and Teams
Open the full microphone test →
Updated November 12, 2026.