Android microphone not working: how to test and fix it

How to test the mic on Android

Find out whether the phone hears you at all before changing anything.

1. Open the phone's voice recorder (on Samsung: Voice Recorder), record a few words and play them back.
2. Record a short video with the front and the rear camera while you talk. Phones have more than one mic, and video can use a different one than calls.
3. Open our mic test in Chrome or Samsung Internet, tap Start microphone test, allow the microphone and speak. Normal speech moves the meter to roughly −30 to −12 dBFS, and you can record a few seconds and play them back.

If the recorder works but one app or website does not, it is a permission problem. If every recording is silent or muffled, look at the mic access switch, Bluetooth and the mic hole.

Samsung phones also have a built-in hardware test: our phone test codes guide explains the Samsung Members check and the dial code.

Turn on Microphone access (Quick Settings)

Since Android 12 there is a privacy switch that blocks the microphone for all apps at once. With it off, recordings are silent and the browser test shows nothing, even though every app has permission.

1. Swipe down twice from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings.
2. Look for the Mic access tile (on Samsung: Mic access in the quick panel). If it is crossed out or grey, tap it to turn access back on.
3. If the tile is not there, tap Edit (Samsung: the pencil or ⋮ › Edit buttons) and drag it in.

You can find the same switch in Settings:

1. On Pixel and stock Android 14/15: Settings › Security & privacy › Privacy › Privacy controls › Microphone access.
2. On Samsung One UI: Settings › Security and privacy (called Privacy and safety in newer versions) › Privacy, then Microphone access.

While an app uses the mic, a green dot appears at the top right. Swipe down and tap it to see which app.

Allow the microphone for the app

Each app needs its own Microphone permission. If you once tapped Don't allow, the app stays silent.

1. Open Settings › Apps. If you don't see the app, tap See all apps (Samsung lists all apps straight away).
2. Tap the app, then Permissions.
3. Tap Microphone and choose Allow only while using the app or Ask every time.
4. Close the app and open it again.

To see every app with mic access at once, use the permission manager: on Pixel Settings › Security & privacy › Privacy › Permission manager › Microphone; on Samsung Permission manager inside the privacy menu above. The Privacy dashboard in the same menu shows which apps used the mic in the last 24 hours, which helps when an app keeps grabbing it.

Allow the mic in Chrome and Samsung Internet

A website needs two permissions: the browser app needs the mic from Android, and the site needs it from the browser.

Chrome

1. On the page, tap the icon to the left of the address, then Permissions, and turn Microphone on. Or open ⋮ › Settings › Site settings › Microphone.
2. Make sure the default lets sites ask for the microphone (not Don't allow sites to use your microphone), then find the site under Blocked, tap it and choose Allow.
3. If Chrome itself is blocked, open Settings › Apps › Chrome › Permissions › Microphone and allow it.

Samsung Internet

1. Tap the menu (☰) › Settings › Sites and downloads › Site permissions.
2. Open Microphone and allow the site, or remove it from the blocked list.
3. Check Settings › Apps › Samsung Internet › Permissions too.

Pages opened inside Instagram, TikTok or Facebook often can't reach the mic. Tap the ⋮ menu and choose to open in your browser. Our browser permissions guide covers every browser.

Bluetooth, cases and the mic hole

• Bluetooth. A connected headset, watch or car kit can take over the mic. Open Settings › Connections › Bluetooth on Samsung (or the Bluetooth tile on other phones), turn it off and test again.
• Accessories. Unplug wired headphones and USB-C adapters.
• Case and screen protector. Take them off; a case edge can cover the bottom mic.
• Dirt. Look at the small hole at the bottom edge. Clear dust with a soft, dry brush or a short puff of compressed air held at a distance. Never push a pin into it.

Safe mode, updates, service

1. Restart the phone and test again.
2. Safe mode turns off downloaded apps, so you can see whether one of them interferes (call recorders and voice changers are common culprits). On Samsung: press and hold the power key (or side key), touch and hold Power off until Safe mode appears, then tap it. Restart to leave safe mode.
3. Update the system: Settings › Software update on Samsung, Settings › System › Software updates on Pixel.
4. Service. If recordings are muffled in every app after cleaning, the mic is likely damaged and needs a repair.

Once the mic works, check speaker output with our speaker test and a whole video-call setup with webcam + mic. Other devices: iPhone and Windows PC.