The other day, the latest model of 2022 was released “iPhone”. There are many users, but some people don’t know exactly where their microphones and speakers are.
In this article, we’ll show you where the iPhone’s microphone is and what to do when you have audio problems.
[iPhone]Where is the microphone?
The iPhone is now becoming a multi-functional mobile phone that can be used in a wide variety of ways, but it was originally developed as a device that allows you to make calls, send emails, browse the web, and play music.
So, of course, a microphone for making calls is installed, but it is difficult to tell where the microphone is attached just by looking at it.
iPhone has 3 microphones
As a major premise, the current iPhone microphone is installed in three places.
I will explain in detail later on where they are located and their roles in each of the three locations.
The location is slightly different with and without the home button
Most of the iPhones currently on sale are full-display iPhones without a home button, but the iPhone SE (3rd generation), which is very popular and has a home button, is also on sale.
Note that the location of the microphone is slightly different between an iPhone without a home button and an iPhone with a home button.
[iPhone]Microphone location
Let’s take a look at where the three iPhone microphones are actually located.
As mentioned above, the iPhone’s microphone is designed so that it is difficult to know where it is at first glance.
Make sure you know where the microphone is to avoid audio problems.
Microphone ①Both sides of the Lightning connector
The first location of the iPhone’s microphone is on both sides of the Lightning connector.
Remember that the microphone is also installed in the part that is also the speaker.
Microphone (2) Display side
The second location of the iPhone’s microphone is on the display side. Just remember that the position of the microphone on the display side is slightly different depending on the model.
with home button
An iPhone with a home button has a wide frame called a bezel, and a microphone is installed near the speaker when calling.
no home button
Since the iPhone without a home button has a full display, it is slightly higher than the iPhone with a home button.
There is a microphone next to the in-camera, so if you don’t know where it is, use the in-camera as a landmark.
Microphone (3) Near the out-camera
The third microphone on the iPhone is installed near the out-camera.
Actually, the exact position differs depending on the model, but the small hole near the out-camera is the third mic.
[iPhone]The role of the microphone
There are three microphones on the iPhone because each of the three has a role.
We will introduce each role.
Main microphone on both sides of Lightning connector
The microphones installed on both sides of the Lightning connector are the iPhone’s main microphones.
Many iPhone users use a cover, but remember that the microphone is easily affected by the cover.
Display side/back is noise canceling and auxiliary
The mic on the display side and the mic on the back are for noise canceling and assisting the main mic.
Note that the microphone on the in-camera side is easily affected by the tempered glass or film that protects the display, and the microphone on the back side is easily affected by the cover.
[iPhone]Causes of microphone trouble
Now that you know where the iPhone’s microphone is located, let’s take a look at some of the common causes of iPhone microphone problems.
Microphone troubles that can occur on iPhone include “hard to hear voice” and “noise”.
Cause 1: The microphone is covered with a protective film or case
The most common cause of iPhone microphone trouble is when the microphone is covered with a protective film or case, causing the sound to be muffled or noisy.
Cases and films are also produced so as not to affect the microphone, but there are many products that are officially released by Apple and those that are not.
If you know where the microphone is, you can choose a case or film that can avoid audio problems, so make sure you know where the microphone is.
Cause 2: Holding down the microphone during a call
If you hold down the microphone during a call, the quality of the voice transmitted to the other party will naturally deteriorate.
This is just because you don’t know where the iPhone’s microphone is attached, and if you’ve read this far, you already know the location, so you can avoid future troubles.
Cause 3: Dust has accumulated on the microphone
I think most people use their iPhone every day, but dust can accumulate on the microphone, which can cause microphone trouble.
It’s similar to holding a mic down with your hand, so be aware that if there’s a lot of dust, the audio quality will suffer considerably.
In particular, the microphones on both sides of the Lightning have large grooves and may collect dust and debris, so be careful.
Cause ④ App trouble (other than the default phone app)
In addition to the default phone app, iPhone has released many apps that can make calls.
Keep in mind that even if there is no problem with the microphone, the quality of the call may be degraded due to problems with the app.
Cause ⑤ Microphone failure
It’s been over a decade since the iPhone was released, and it’s gotten a lot tougher than when it first came out.
However, it is also possible that the microphone may be damaged due to dropping it or applying excessive pressure.
If the microphone breaks down, it is possible that the voice quality will drop, so if the causes so far do not apply, you may need to repair it.
[iPhone]How to deal with microphone problems
If you don’t know what’s causing your microphone trouble, there are a few things you can try to figure out what’s causing it.
From here, we will introduce 4 ways to deal with iPhone microphone problems.
Remedy ① Remove the protective film or case
If you have trouble with the microphone on your iPhone, you can find the cause by first removing the protective film or case.
If the sound returns to normal quality with the film/case removed, then either the case or the film is the culprit.
The case can be easily removed, but if the film is removed, it will take time and effort to put it back on, but it may be covering the microphone, so be sure to try it.
Countermeasure ②call with earphones
If you feel that the iPhone’s microphone is strange, try using earphones to make a call.
By using earphones, you can make calls without using the iPhone’s microphone.
If the voice quality improves when you make a call with an earphone microphone, there is a high possibility that there is some kind of problem with the microphone itself, so try cleaning it.
Solution 3: Update the app
If the voice quality does not improve only with apps other than the calling app, it is important to try updating the app.
Keep in mind that if the default phone app glitches, you’ll need an iOS update.
Solution ④ Consult Apple Support (0120-277-535)
If the problem persists after trying various solutions, we recommend contacting Apple Support.
Professionals will give you advice such as suggestions for countermeasures that have not been tried so far, suggestions for repairs, etc.
However, if you consult without trying the basic coping methods introduced so far, you will be guided to try them first, so if you want to avoid the hassle twice, deal with it and consult if there is no improvement. .
[iPhone]How to test the microphone
Here are 4 ways to test if your iPhone’s microphone is working normally.
Test method ① Movie (video) shooting
On iPhone, you can shoot videos using the default camera app.
There is no problem with a short video of about 10 seconds, so let’s shoot a video with sound by speaking or making a sound.
Check the audio of the video you shot and if there is no problem, you will know that there is no problem with the microphone.
Test method ② Recording voice memo
Even if you don’t want to show it to others, if you’re hesitant about recording videos, use Voice Memos, the iPhone’s default app.
Voice Memos is an app like a voice recorder that allows you to record your voice.
If you can confirm that there is no problem with the microphone, there is no problem, so let’s record a short time of about 10 seconds.
Test method ③ Make a call from the phone app
If a friend or acquaintance complains of poor audio quality with a third-party calling app, try a call test using the default phone app.
Test method ④ Make a call with a third-party calling app
If you’re having audio issues with your default phone app calls, test calling with a third-party app just in case.
[iPhone]Recommended External Microphone Types
Now, we live in an era where you can stream to a streaming service with just one iPhone.
When distributing videos, etc. to distribution services, external microphones are often introduced to improve audio quality.
From here, we will introduce the types and characteristics of recommended external microphones.
Recommendation ① Unidirectional microphone
A “unidirectional microphone” is a microphone that can easily pick up sound from one direction, and is characterized by the fact that it is difficult for noise to enter.
It is recommended to purchase a unidirectional microphone if you want to record or distribute only yourself at a specific position.
Recommendation ② Omni-directional (omni-directional) microphone
An omnidirectional microphone is a microphone designed to pick up sound from all directions.
An omnidirectional microphone is recommended if you want to use it in a meeting where many people are speaking.
Recommendation ③ Two-directional microphone
A bi-directional microphone is a microphone that has the characteristic of picking up sound from the front and rear.
It is recommended when people face each other and record or distribute.
[iPhone]How to choose an external microphone
In the previous section, we introduced the features and types of external microphones.
From here, we will introduce how to choose an external microphone.
How to select (1) Connection terminal
When choosing an external microphone, the connection terminal is important. The iPhone uses a dedicated Lightning connector.
If you choose a microphone with a Lightning terminal, you can connect it as it is, but if you want to use a microphone with a different terminal, you will need a conversion cable, so be careful.
How to choose ② type
There are various types of microphones such as condenser mics and pin mics.
We recommend that you think about how you want to use it in the future and choose the type of microphone that suits it.
How to select ③ Input method
There are two types of input methods: stereo/monaural. Remember that the input method is also one of the ways to select a microphone.
- Stereo input: Lightning jack
- Monaural input: headphone jack
[iPhone]5 recommended wireless earphones
Finally, we will introduce 5 recommended wireless earphones for iPhone.
Nowadays, you can make calls using wireless earphones without holding your iPhone to your ear.
There are many wireless earphones on the market, but here are some recommended earphones.
Recommended wireless earphones ①Air Pods Pro
The most recommended wireless earphone for iPhone is “Air Pods Pro”, the second generation of which was launched the other day.
In addition to being equipped with an external sound capture mode and noise canceling function, it is a wireless earphone that can be seamlessly linked as an Apple product.
However, since the wireless earphones are quite expensive at about 40,000 yen including tax, depending on the usage environment, there is no need to purchase such expensive earphones.
Recommended wireless earbuds ② Air Pods (3rd generation)
Apple’s wireless earphones include “Air Pods Pro” and “Air Pods”.
“Air Pods (3rd generation)” is also a highly recommended wireless earphone, and although the shape is similar to Air Pods Pro, it is a simple wireless earphone without functions such as noise canceling.
However, this is also expensive at about 27,000 yen, so if you don’t really want to use Apple’s wireless earphones, we recommend other earphones with good cost performance.
Recommended wireless earbuds ③Beats Fit Pro
In addition to the Air Pods series of Apple genuine wireless earphones, Apple also sells wireless earphones of the acoustic brand called Beats.
It is gaining popularity as an earphone that can be seamlessly linked like Air Pods and has a stronger deep bass than Air Pods.
Among them, “Beats Fit Pro” is recommended.
Recommended wireless earbuds ④Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro
The “Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro” sold by Anker, which sells smartphone peripherals, is also a recommended wireless earphone.
You can use 3 types of noise canceling functions, and you can use them properly depending on the situation.
The price is also not cheap at about 13,000 yen, but it is recommended because it can be purchased at about half the price compared to the Air Pods series.
Recommended earphone ⑤urbanista LISBON
The “urbanista LISBON” is a small case and the earphone itself weighs only 4g.
These wireless earphones are very comfortable to wear, and have received very good reviews from users.
summary
What did you think? Were there some users who didn’t know where the iPhone’s microphone was or that there were more than one?
If you don’t know where the mic is, it can lead to audio problems.
If you don’t know where the microphone is, hopefully this article will help you figure it out.