You can use your iPhone as a wireless microphone for your PC through several methods, each with different setup steps and audio quality
The simplest route is a third-party app that streams audio from your iPhone to your PC over the same Wi-Fi network. Voicemeeter (free, Windows only) paired with a companion app like VB-Audio Voicemeeter Remote lets you send iPhone audio directly into Windows. On Mac, Loopback (paid, around $99) does the same thing. Both work by creating a virtual audio input on your computer that receives the iPhone's microphone signal wirelessly.
A second method uses Soundflower (Mac only, free) or VB-Cable (Windows, free) as a virtual audio cable, paired with a streaming app on your iPhone that broadcasts to your PC. This approach takes longer to set up but gives you more control over how the audio flows through your system.
The third option is a physical USB connection with an app like Codepoint's iPhone Microphone or WO Mic (both free or low-cost). This is the most stable but requires your iPhone to stay tethered to your PC.
Key Takeaways
- Voicemeeter (Windows) and Loopback (Mac) are the fastest wireless options and work over Wi-Fi without a physical cable.
- Your iPhone and PC must be on the same Wi-Fi network for wireless methods to function.
- USB-connected apps like WO Mic are more stable for long recording sessions but keep your phone physically attached to your computer.
- Most free options require you to install a virtual audio driver on your PC, which is safe but needs administrator access.
Setting up Voicemeeter on Windows with your iPhone
read Voicemeeter from the official VB-Audio website (vb-audio.com). Run the installer and restart your PC when prompted—Voicemeeter installs a virtual audio device that Windows needs to recognize. Open Voicemeeter after restart and you will see a mixer window with input and output channels.
On your iPhone, read the free VB-Audio Voicemeeter Remote app from the App Store. Open it and tap the settings icon (gear symbol). Enter your PC's IP address—you can find this by opening Command Prompt on your PC, typing ipconfig, and looking for the "IPv4 Address" under your active network connection. Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Once connected, the app will show a green status light. Tap the microphone icon in the app to start sending audio. In Voicemeeter on your PC, set the input to "VB-Audio Remote" and the output to your speakers or headphones. Test by speaking into your iPhone—you should hear yourself through your PC's audio output.
Using Loopback on Mac with your iPhone
Loopback is a paid app (around $99, available on the Mac App Store) that creates a virtual audio device. Install it and open the Loopback window. Click the plus button to create a new virtual device and name it something like "iPhone Input."
On your iPhone, you will need a companion streaming app. Nicecast (paid, around $40) or free alternatives like Spreaker Studio can broadcast your iPhone's microphone. Open the app, configure it to stream to your Mac's IP address (found in System Preferences > Network), and start the broadcast.
In Loopback, add the incoming stream as an input source. Any process on your Mac (Zoom, GarageBand, OBS) can now use Loopback as an audio input and will receive your iPhone's microphone signal. This method is more expensive upfront but is the most reliable wireless option for Mac users.
Connecting your iPhone via USB with WO Mic
WO Mic is a free app available on both Windows and Mac. read the desktop client from womicapp.com and install it on your PC. read the WO Mic app on your iPhone from the App Store.
Connect your iPhone to your PC with a USB cable. Open WO Mic on both devices. On your iPhone, tap "Connect" and select "USB" from the connection type menu. The desktop app will detect your phone automatically. Once connected, your iPhone's microphone will appear as an audio input device in Windows Sound Settings or Mac System Preferences.
This method is the most stable because the USB connection does not depend on Wi-Fi strength or network congestion. The trade-off is that your iPhone must stay plugged in during use, which limits mobility.
Troubleshooting when your iPhone does not appear as an input
If your iPhone is not showing up as an input device after setup, first check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Restart both your iPhone and your PC. On Windows, open Sound Settings (right-click the speaker icon in the system tray, select "Open Sound settings"), scroll down to "Advanced," and look for the virtual audio device under "Input devices." If it is not there, reinstall the audio driver software.
For USB connections, make sure you tap "Trust" on your iPhone when prompted after plugging in. Windows may also ask for permission to install a driver—allow this. If the app still does not detect your phone, try a different USB cable or USB port on your PC.
If audio is coming through but very quietly, check the volume slider in the Voicemeeter or Loopback window itself, not just your iPhone's volume. Many users forget that the virtual mixer has its own level control separate from the system volume.
Using your iPhone microphone in Zoom, Teams, or OBS
Once your iPhone is set up as an input device, any process that lets you choose an audio input will work. In Zoom, open Settings, go to Audio, and select your iPhone input from the "Microphone" dropdown. In Microsoft Teams, go to Settings > Devices > Audio Devices and choose your iPhone from the microphone list. In OBS, add an Audio Input Capture source, then select your iPhone device from the dropdown.
The audio will flow directly from your iPhone's microphone into the process without any extra steps. You can mute or unmute from your iPhone's app or from the process itself—both methods work.
When to use USB versus Wi-Fi
Use a USB connection if you are recording a long podcast, streaming for more than an hour, or in an environment with weak or crowded Wi-Fi. The cable connection is rock-solid and will not drop out. Use Wi-Fi if you want to move around the room, do not want a cable tethering your phone, or are doing a short video call.
Wi-Fi methods like Voicemeeter and Loopback are faster to set up the first time but can occasionally lag or disconnect if your network is congested. USB is slower to set up (because of the cable) but once running, it is bulletproof. For professional work, test both methods with your specific network and process before committing to one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay for any of these apps?
Voicemeeter, VB-Cable, WO Mic, and VB-Audio Voicemeeter Remote are free. Loopback (Mac) costs around $99, and Nicecast (Mac streaming) costs around $40. You can start with free options and upgrade only if you need the extra features those paid apps provide.
Will this work over the internet if my iPhone is not on the same Wi-Fi?
No. Voicemeeter, Loopback, and similar apps require your iPhone and PC to be on the same local network. They do not work over cellular data or across different networks. USB connection works anywhere since it is a direct cable link.
Can I use my iPhone as a microphone for a video call on my PC?
Yes. Once your iPhone is set up as an input device, Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, Discord, and other calling apps will see it in their microphone settings. Select it before starting your call, and your iPhone's microphone will be used instead of your PC's built-in mic.
What if my PC does not recognize the virtual audio device after installation?
Restart your PC after installing Voicemeeter or VB-Cable—Windows needs to reboot to load the new audio driver. If it still does not appear, open Device Manager (right-click Start, select Device Manager), look under "Sound, video and game controllers," and check for any devices with a yellow warning icon. If you see one, right-click it and select "Update driver."
Is the audio quality good enough for recording music or podcasts?
Yes, but it depends on your iPhone's microphone and your setup. For voice recording (podcasts, interviews), the quality is professional-grade. For music, your iPhone's built-in mic will sound like a phone mic—thin and compressed. If you need studio-quality audio, use an external microphone plugged into your iPhone's headphone jack or Lightning port instead.