Where to find microphone controls on your iPhone
Your iPhone stores microphone permissions in Settings, not in the app itself. Open Settings, scroll down to find the app you want to adjust, tap it, and toggle the microphone permission on or off. This is the main way you control which apps can use your phone's microphone.
If an app is using your microphone right now, you'll see an orange dot in the status bar at the top of your screen. Tap that dot to see which app has access. You can also check your microphone's physical condition—make sure the small holes near the bottom of your phone aren't blocked by a case or dirt.
Key Takeaways
- Microphone permissions live in Settings under each individual app, not in a single microphone menu.
- An orange dot in your status bar means an app is actively using your microphone right now.
- You can turn microphone access on or off for any app without uninstalling it.
- If an app says it can't hear you, check both the permission toggle and whether your microphone holes are physically blocked.
- Some apps need microphone permission to work at all—turning it off may break core features like phone calls or voice recording.
Step-by-step: Turn microphone access on or off for an app
Open the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down past the blue section at the top until you see a list of apps—these are in alphabetical order. Find the app you want to change (for example, Zoom, Discord, or Voice Memos).
Tap the app name. You'll see a row labeled "Microphone" with a toggle switch next to it. The toggle is green when the app can use your microphone, and gray when it cannot. Tap the toggle to switch it. That's the entire change—you don't need to restart the app or your phone.
If you don't see the app in Settings, it either doesn't use a microphone or hasn't asked for permission yet. The next time you open that app and try to use a microphone feature, it will ask you to allow access. You can say yes or no at that moment.
What to do if an app keeps asking for microphone permission
Some apps ask for permission every time you use a microphone feature, even after you've already said yes once. This usually means the app's permission settings got reset, or the app itself is buggy. The fastest fix is to turn the permission off and back on again.
Go to Settings, find the app, tap Microphone, toggle it off, wait three seconds, then toggle it back on. Open the app and try the microphone feature again. If it still asks, the problem is with the app itself, not your iPhone—contact the app's support team or check for an update in the App Store.
How to check if your microphone is physically blocked
Your iPhone has a small microphone hole near the bottom of the phone, next to the charging port. If your case covers this hole completely, or if lint and dust are packed inside it, your microphone won't pick up sound even if all permissions are turned on.
Remove your case and look at the hole with a flashlight. If you see debris, use a dry toothpick or a small brush to gently clear it out—do not use water or compressed air, which can push dirt deeper inside. If the hole looks clean and you're still having trouble, the microphone hardware itself may be damaged and need repair.
Microphone settings for specific apps and features
Phone calls and FaceTime: These need microphone permission to work at all. If you turn off microphone access for the Phone app, you won't be able to make or receive calls. The same applies to FaceTime.
Voice Memos and Voice Control: Voice Memos records audio files and needs microphone permission. Voice Control (which lets you speak commands to your phone) also requires it. If you turn these off, those features won't work.
Third-party apps like Zoom, Discord, or Slack: These apps ask for microphone permission the first time you try to join a call or record audio. You can turn access on or off anytime in Settings without affecting other apps.
Siri: Siri uses your microphone to listen for voice commands. If microphone permission is off, Siri won't hear you, but you can still type to Siri instead.
Troubleshooting: Microphone not working even with permission on
If an app has microphone permission turned on but still can't hear you, try these steps in order. First, restart the app by closing it completely and opening it again. Second, check that the microphone hole isn't blocked by your case or debris. Third, restart your iPhone by turning it off and back on.
If the microphone still doesn't work after those three steps, the problem may be a software bug in the app itself. Check the App Store to see if an update is available. If an update exists, install it and try again. If there's no update and the microphone still fails, the app may have a known issue—search online for the app name plus "microphone not working" to see if other users are reporting the same problem.
How to see which apps have used your microphone recently
Open Settings and go to Privacy. Tap Microphone. You'll see a list of every app that has asked for microphone permission, with a green dot next to apps that currently have access. This list helps you spot apps you didn't know were using your microphone.
If you see an app you don't recognize or don't trust, tap it and toggle off the microphone permission. You can always turn it back on later if you change your mind. This privacy check takes about 30 seconds and is worth doing once a month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my iPhone microphone for multiple apps at the same time?
Yes. Your iPhone can send microphone input to multiple apps simultaneously if they're both running. However, in practice, most apps will only record or transmit audio from one app at a time—the one you're actively using. If you're on a FaceTime call and open Voice Memos, FaceTime will keep the microphone.
What happens if I turn off microphone permission for the Phone app?
You won't be able to make or receive phone calls. Your iPhone will still ring when someone calls, but you won't hear them or be able to speak. Turn the permission back on to restore calling. This is why it's rare to turn off microphone access for the Phone app unless you're troubleshooting.
Does turning off microphone permission for an app use less battery?
Not significantly. Microphone access itself uses very little power. If an app was constantly recording audio in the background, turning off permission would save battery, but most apps only use the microphone when you actively ask them to. The orange dot in your status bar shows when an app is actually using the microphone right now.
Can I change microphone settings from within an app, or only from Settings?
Most apps don't have their own microphone controls—they rely on iOS permissions. Some apps (like Zoom or Discord) have audio quality or input device settings inside the app, but the on/off permission must be changed in Settings. Check the app's settings menu first, then go to Settings if you need to turn access on or off entirely.
Why does my microphone sound muffled or quiet?
The most common cause is a blocked microphone hole. Remove your case and check for lint or dust. If the hole is clear, try restarting the app and your phone. If the microphone is still quiet, the app itself may have volume controls—check inside the app's settings. If every app has a quiet microphone, the hardware may be damaged and need professional repair.