Microphone Not Working on Android

Test it here first

Open this page in Chrome, press START and speak. A moving bar means the microphone works and one app needs fixing. If Chrome cannot use the microphone at all, start with step 1.

1. The Microphone access switch

Android 12 and later have a switch that blocks the microphone for every app. When it is off, apps record pure silence.

1. Swipe down twice from the top of the screen and look for the Microphone access tile (on Samsung it may be called Mic access). Turn it on.
2. If the tile is not there, look in Settings › Security & privacy › Privacy (names vary by manufacturer).

2. App permissions

1. Open Settings › Apps, choose the app and tap Permissions › Microphone. Select Allow only while using the app.
2. For websites in Chrome, tap the icon at the left of the address bar, open Permissions and allow the microphone. The site list is in Chrome › Settings › Site settings › Microphone.
3. When an app uses the microphone, a green dot appears at the top right of the screen. If you see it while you are not using any app, another app is holding the microphone.

3. Find which microphone fails

• Record with the voice recorder app (bottom microphone), then record a video (top or back microphone). If only one recording is silent, that microphone is blocked or damaged.
• Remove the case and screen protector and clean the small holes with a soft dry brush.
• Disconnect Bluetooth earbuds, smartwatches and car kits: calls may be using their microphone.

4. Samsung Mic mode

On Samsung phones, open the quick panel during a call or video call and check Mic mode. Voice focus filters out background sound and can cut out quiet speech; choose Standard to test.

5. Safe mode, cache and updates

1. Restart the phone in safe mode (press and hold the power button, then press and hold Power off or Restart until safe mode is offered). If the microphone works in safe mode, an app you installed is blocking it.
2. Clear the cache of the app that fails: Settings › Apps › [app] › Storage & cache › Clear cache.
3. Install system updates in Settings › System › Software update (Samsung: Settings › Software update).