Phone mic not working in calls but works on speaker? How to fix it
If people can hear you on speakerphone but not on a normal call, or the other way round, the cause is usually one specific microphone, a setting or something covering a hole. Here’s how to narrow it down.
Open the Microphone TestYour phone has more than one microphone
Most modern phones have at least two or three microphones, and they don’t all do the same job. The exact layout varies by model, but the general pattern looks like this:
Bottom microphone
Near the charging port. It’s the main mic for normal calls held to your ear and for voice recordings. Apple’s test for call audio is to record a voice memo while speaking at the bottom of the iPhone. Google says the Recorder app tests the bottom mic on Pixel phones.
Top and rear microphones
Near the earpiece or the camera. These are used for video recording, speakerphone, and for noise reduction, where the phone compares sound from several mics to filter out background noise. Apple tests speakerphone audio by recording videos while speaking at the top of the iPhone, and Google tests the top mic on Pixel phones by recording a video in the Camera app.
How to test each mic
- Record a short voice memo (Voice Memos on iPhone, Recorder on Pixel, or your phone’s recorder app) while speaking toward the bottom of the phone. Play it back. Clear sound means the bottom mic works.
- Record a short video while speaking toward the top of the phone. On iPhone, Apple suggests recording one video with each camera. Play them back.
- Use our Mic Test to see a live level meter and record a quick sample in your browser. If the meter moves when you speak, the browser can reach a working mic.
- If one test is clear and another is silent or muffled, you’ve found the mic that’s struggling.
Check what might be covering the holes
This is the most common fix and the easiest one. Apple, Samsung and Google all list it as the first thing to check.
- Remove the case and test again. Some cases don’t line up with the mic holes, especially third-party ones.
- Remove any screen protector or film. Samsung notes that protective film left on from purchase can block the microphone hole.
- Look for lint or grime in the mic holes with a flashlight and clear it gently with a soft, dry brush. Don’t poke pins into the holes.
Settings and apps to check
- Mute: during a call, make sure the mute button isn’t highlighted.
- Bluetooth: if a headset or car system is connected, the call may be using its microphone instead. Turn Bluetooth off and test again.
- App permissions: if the problem is only in one app (WhatsApp, Zoom, Meet), check that the app is allowed to use the mic. On iPhone: Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone. On Android, check the app’s permissions in Settings. On Pixel, the Mic access tile in Quick Settings shows whether the mic is blocked.
- Noise reduction: on iPhone with iOS 16.4 or later, you can choose a Mic Mode such as Voice Isolation during a phone call from Control Center. On Pixel 7 and later, Clear Calling is under Settings > Sound & vibration. Try switching these to see if your voice sounds different.
- Restart the phone and install any software update.
- Recently installed calling or messaging apps can interfere. Samsung suggests uninstalling a new one if the problem started recently.
Rule out the network
If recordings sound clear but calls don’t, the problem might not be the phone at all. Samsung points out that network conditions are often the main cause of poor call audio. Call a different person from the same place, then from a different location. If the problem only happens in certain spots, weak signal is a likely culprit. If you use Wi-Fi calling, try a call with it turned off, and the other way round.
When to get it repaired
If a mic is silent or badly muffled in your own recordings, even with the case off and the holes clean, it’s probably a hardware fault, and the manufacturer or a repair shop should look at it. The same goes if the problem started after a drop or water exposure. Apple notes that if you still sound unclear during calls, recordings or apps after these checks, you might need service.
Our Mic Test can confirm whether your browser can hear you, but it can’t tell exactly which internal microphone it’s using, and it can’t fix a faulty one. PhoneTools is not affiliated with Apple, Samsung or Google.