Where to find microphone settings on your iPhone

Microphone settings on iPhone live in two places depending on what you want to change. For most apps — like voice memos, calls, or video recording — you control mic access through Settings > Privacy > Microphone. For call-specific settings like noise cancellation or speaker mode, you adjust them during the call itself or in the Phone app settings. There is no single "microphone settings" menu that controls everything at once.

The Privacy section shows you which apps have permission to use your microphone and lets you turn that access on or off per app. If an app you use for recording or calls suddenly sounds muffled or won't pick up your voice, the first thing to check is whether the app still has microphone permission — iOS updates or app reinstalls sometimes reset these permissions.

Key Takeaways

  • Microphone permissions for individual apps are found in Settings > Privacy > Microphone, where you can toggle access on or off for each app.
  • During phone calls, tap the speaker icon or mute button to control audio routing and muting, not microphone sensitivity.
  • Voice Memos and similar recording apps let you choose which microphone to use (built-in, headset, or external) when you start recording.
  • If your microphone sounds quiet or distorted, restart the app first, then check that the app has microphone permission before assuming hardware failure.

Turning microphone access on or off for specific apps

Open Settings and tap Privacy, then select Microphone. You will see a list of every app that has ever asked for microphone permission. Apps with a green checkmark next to their name have access; apps without it do not. Tap any app name to toggle its access on or off.

If an app is not in the list, it has never asked for microphone permission. The next time you open that app and try to record or make a call, iOS will prompt you to allow or deny access. Tap "Allow" to grant permission, or "Don't Allow" to block it. You can change your mind later by coming back to this same Privacy > Microphone screen.

Turning off microphone access for an app does not delete the app or erase any recordings you have already made. It straightforward prevents that app from using your microphone going forward. If you turn it back on, the app will work normally again.

Choosing which microphone to use during recording

If you use Voice Memos, a third-party recording app, or video recording, you can often choose which microphone captures sound. On iPhone, your options are the built-in bottom microphone, a microphone on a connected headset, or an external microphone plugged into the Lightning or USB-C port.

In Voice Memos, start a new recording and look for a microphone icon near the record button — tap it to see available microphones and select the one you want. In the Camera app, you cannot switch microphones directly, but if you have headphones with a built-in mic plugged in, the phone will use that mic instead of the built-in one automatically.

Third-party apps vary in how they let you choose. Check the app's settings or look for a microphone icon in the recording interface. If you do not see an option to switch microphones, the app is probably using whatever microphone is currently available — usually the built-in one unless headphones are connected.

Adjusting audio during phone calls

During a call, you control audio with buttons that appear on your screen. The mute button (a microphone with a slash through it) silences your microphone so the other person cannot hear you. The speaker button routes audio to your speaker instead of the earpiece. Neither of these buttons changes microphone sensitivity or quality — they only control where sound goes and whether your mic is on.

If the other person says they cannot hear you clearly, mute is usually the culprit. Check that the mute button is not active (it will be highlighted if it is). If mute is off and they still cannot hear you, the problem is likely microphone permission for the Phone app, a poor connection, or a hardware issue rather than a setting you can adjust.

Some iPhone models support noise cancellation during calls. This is not a separate setting — it happens automatically. If you want to disable it, there is no toggle; noise cancellation is always on. If it is making the call sound worse, the issue is usually a poor network connection rather than the feature itself.

Fixing a microphone that sounds quiet or muffled

Before assuming your microphone is broken, try these steps in order. First, restart the app you are using — close it completely and open it again. Second, check Settings > Privacy > Microphone and confirm the app has permission. Third, restart your iPhone by powering it off and back on.

If the microphone still sounds quiet after those steps, check the physical microphone holes on the bottom of your iPhone. Lint, dust, or debris can block sound. Use a soft, dry brush or a clean toothbrush to gently brush the microphone area. Do not use water or compressed air, as both can damage the microphone.

If you are using headphones with a microphone, unplug them and test the built-in microphone. A faulty headset mic can sound muffled or quiet while the built-in mic works fine. If the built-in mic works but the headset mic does not, the headset is the problem, not your iPhone.

Using external microphones with your iPhone

You can connect external microphones to your iPhone through the Lightning port (on older models) or USB-C port (on iPhone 15 and newer). Once plugged in, most apps automatically detect the external mic and use it instead of the built-in one. You do not need to change any settings — the phone handles the switch.

Popular external mics for iPhone include the Rode VideoMic Me, Shure MV51, and various USB-C lavalier mics. When you plug one in, open your recording app and start recording. The external mic should pick up sound when ready. If it does not, check that the app has microphone permission and that the mic is fully inserted into the port.

If you want to switch back to the built-in microphone, straightforward unplug the external mic. Your iPhone will revert to the built-in microphone automatically on the next recording or call.

Microphone settings in FaceTime and video calls

In FaceTime, tap the screen during a call to reveal audio controls. You will see a mute button and a speaker button. Mute silences your microphone; speaker routes audio to your speaker instead of the earpiece. There are no other microphone settings to adjust within FaceTime itself.

For other video call apps like Zoom, Google Meet, or Teams, open the app's settings before or during a call. Most of these apps have their own audio settings where you can choose which microphone to use and sometimes adjust input volume. Check the app's settings menu or look for a gear icon during a call to find these options.

If a video call app cannot hear you, first confirm it has microphone permission in Settings > Privacy > Microphone. Then restart the app. If it still does not work, try a different app to test whether the problem is the app or your iPhone's microphone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does an app say it does not have microphone permission?

The app lost permission because you denied it when first prompted, or iOS reset the permission after an update or reinstall. Go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone, find the app, and toggle permission back on. The next time you open the app, it should work.

Can I make my iPhone microphone louder?

You cannot increase microphone sensitivity from iPhone settings. If your recordings sound quiet, the microphone itself may be blocked by dust or debris — clean the microphone holes gently with a soft brush. If it is still quiet, try moving closer to the microphone or using an external mic.

What is the difference between mute and speaker during a call?

Mute turns off your microphone so the other person cannot hear you. Speaker routes the call audio to your speaker instead of the earpiece so you can hear them louder. You can use both at the same time — muted and on speaker — if you need to listen without being heard.

Do I need to change microphone settings for every app?

No. Once you grant microphone permission to an app in Settings > Privacy > Microphone, that permission stays on until you turn it off. You only need to change it if you want to block an app from using your microphone or if you want to switch between built-in and external mics during recording.

Why does my microphone work in one app but not another?

The app without microphone access probably does not have permission. Check Settings > Privacy > Microphone and turn permission on for that app. If permission is already on, restart the app and your iPhone. If it still does not work, the app itself may have a bug — try uninstalling and reinstalling it.