FaceTime Microphone Not Working

Test the microphone first

Press START above in Safari and speak. If the bar moves, the microphone works and FaceTime is the problem. If it stays flat, the microphone is blocked, covered or broken.

Quick checks

• Check that the microphone button in the call is not highlighted as muted.
• Open Control Center during the call and look at Mic Mode. Voice Isolation removes background sound and can cut off a quiet voice; Wide Spectrum picks up everything. Choose Standard if in doubt.
• Disconnect AirPods or a car's Bluetooth if you are not using them.

FaceTime microphone not working on iPhone

1. Make sure FaceTime is on in Settings › Apps › FaceTime.
2. Check Settings › Screen Time › Content & Privacy Restrictions: FaceTime and Camera must be allowed under Allowed Apps & Features, and Microphone should be set to Allow Changes.
3. Record a short video with the front camera and play it back. FaceTime uses the microphone next to the front camera; if the video is silent too, clean that opening near the earpiece with a dry soft brush and remove any screen protector that covers it.
4. Restart the iPhone and update iOS in Settings › General › Software Update.

FaceTime microphone not working on iPad

1. Follow the same steps as for iPhone: FaceTime switched on, Screen Time restrictions allowing it, and Mic Mode set to Standard.
2. The iPad microphones are at the top edge, near the camera. Hold the iPad so your hand does not cover them, and check that a keyboard case does not cover them in landscape.
3. If you use a USB-C or Bluetooth headset, unplug it to test the built-in microphone.

FaceTime microphone not working on Mac

1. Open FaceTime and choose Video in the menu bar: the microphone list is there. Pick the right one; macOS may have switched to a display, webcam or AirPods microphone.
2. Open System Settings › Sound › Input and check that the level meter moves when you speak.
3. A MacBook with the lid closed cannot use its built-in microphone. Open the lid or use an external microphone.
4. If the microphone list is empty or the meter never moves, open Terminal and run sudo killall coreaudiod to restart the Mac's audio system, or simply restart the Mac.