How to unlock the microphone for Yandex on Xiaomi smartphones: full instruction

Are you trying to use voice search in Yandex.Browser, ask a question to Alice or record a voice message in Yandex.Mail, but the system stubbornly refuses to turn on the microphone? on Xiaomi smartphones, this problem is more common than on other devices - the fault of the feature shell MIUI, aggressive energy saving policies and multi-level privacy settings. 80% In some cases, the problem is solved for 2-3 minutes, if you know where to look for a lock.

In this article, we will discuss all possible reasons why the microphone can be blocked for Yandex services on Redmi, POCO Mi – from basic Android resolutions to hidden settings MIUI 12/13/14 We will focus on models with HyperOS (e.g. Xiaomi) 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+), You will also learn how to check whether the firmware itself or regional restrictions are to blame (relevant for devices purchased in China).

Before you get to the settings, make sure that the problem is the software lock, not the hardware malfunction.

1. Open the standard Dictaphone application (or Record the sound in the MIUI) And try to make a record.
2. Call another phone and check if the person is listening to your voice.
3. Run any other app with microphone access (like WhatsApp or Telegram) and try sending a voice message.

If the microphone works in other applications but not in Yandex services, read on. If the microphone does not work at all, the problem may be a hardware breakdown (for example, oxidation of contacts after moisture) or a system failure (resetting or flashing is required).

1. Check basic Android resolutions for microphone

The first thing to do is make sure you have access to the microphone for Yandex applications at all. MIUI These settings can be hidden deeper than in pure Android, so follow the instructions carefully.

Open the Settings. → Annexes → Manage applications and find the right application:

• 🔍 Yandex.Browser – if the problem with voice search or Alice in the browser.
• 🔍 Yandex (main application) – if Alice does not work in a widget or separate application.
• 🔍 Yandex.Mail, Yandex.Navigator, etc. – if the microphone does not work in a particular service.

In the application card go to Permissions → Microphone and pick:

• 📱 Allow only during use of the application (recommended for security).
• 📱 Allow always – if you want Alice to listen to voice commands even when the application is folded (for example, to control a smart home).

Find the Yandex application in the list of installed|Make sure that the microphone permission is on|Select the appropriate access mode (only during use or always)|Restart the application after changing permissions-->

If the "Microphone" item is not in the permits at all, this may mean:

• ⚠️ The app didn't ask for access to the microphone (for example, you have an outdated version).
• ⚠️ The device has a modified firmware (e.g., Xiaomi.EU) where the permission logic is changed.
• ⚠️ Activated mode for children or guest profile, where access to the microphone is limited.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) post-update MIUI 13 permissions can be reset. If you've recently updated your firmware, check the permissions again -- even if everything used to work.

2. privacy settings in MIUI: hidden limitations

MIUI It's known for its "careful" attitude to user privacy -- sometimes too caring. There's a separate Privacy section in the shell where you can block access to the microphone at the system level, even if Android permissions are issued.

Go to Settings. → Confidentiality → Application authorizations → Microphone. Here you'll see a list of all the apps that have ever requested access to a microphone. Find the right Yandex app and make sure the switch is active. If it's not on the list, then either the app didn't request access or it was blocked at an earlier stage.

Please note the Special Access item (or Additional settings depending on version) MIUI). It could be activated here:

• 🚫 Background blocking – limits the operation of applications in the background, which is why Alice may not hear commands after folding.
• 🚫 Launch restriction – prevents automatic start of Yandex services, including voice input.
• 🚫 Energy saving – if an application is added to the optimized list, the system may suspend its operation, including access to the microphone.

If you see a message saying, "This app was restricted due to high energy consumption," it means MIUI I automatically blacklisted him to fix it:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Consumption Management.
2. Find the Yandex app and select Without restrictions.
3. Reboot the phone.

3. Problems with regional settings and firmware

If your Xiaomi is purchased in China or is stitched with a global version for another region (e.g., a local version, MIUI Global for India, some Yandex services may be blocked at the system level, due to the fact that in China, Google and Yandex services are not officially supported, and in some Asian firmware, access to the microphone for non-local applications is limited by default.

Check the current firmware:

1. Open the settings → About the phone → version of MIUI.
2. If there is a firmware at the end of the name CN (for example, V14.0.4.0.TKLCNXM) — You have the Chinese version.
3. If RU — Russian, IN — Indian, EU — European (e.g. from Xiaomi.EU).

Solutions for different cases:

⚠️ Warning: Flashing the device to another regional version may result in loss of warranty and unstable operation (e.g., failure) NFC If you are not sure about your abilities, it is better to contact the service center or use alternative methods (for example, the web version of Alice in the browser).

Official Russian (RU)|Global (Global)|Chinese (CN)|European (EU)|The other one/I don't know/-->

4.Conflicts with battery optimization and background processes

MIUI It's famous for its aggressive battery optimization, which often strangles background processes, including access to the microphone. 10-20 seconds after folding the application or voice search in the browser is interrupted – this mechanism is to blame.

To disable optimization for Yandex applications:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Consumption Management.
2. Select the Applications and find the desired one (for example, Yandex.Browser).
3. Set up a No Limits mode.
4. Activate the Auto Start switch (if any).

For MIUI 14 and HyperOS, the path may be different:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Select App] → Battery → Without Limitations

If after these actions the problem remains, check the settings of the background processes:

• 🔧 Open the Settings. → Special facilities → System settings → Process limit.
• 🔧 Make sure you select the Standard Limit (not "No background processes").
• 🔧 B Settings → Developer (if developer mode is enabled) check that Do Not Save Actions and Background Process Limits are disabled.

💡

If your phone starts to drain faster after changing your battery settings, add Yandex apps to the “Optimization Exclusions” list instead of completely disabling the restrictions, which will balance performance and power consumption.

5. Reset permission settings and application cache

If you've tried all of these methods before, but the microphone still doesn't work, the problem may be a damaged cache or permission conflict, and resetting will help.

Option 1: Resetting permissions for a specific application

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired Yandex application.
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.
4. Go back and select permissions. → Resetting permissions (if there is such a clause).
5. Restart the application and re-access the microphone.

Option 2: Complete reset of all permits (if the first option did not help)

1. Go to Settings → System → Resetting settings.
2. Choose App Reset (not to be confused with a full phone reset!).
3. Once the reboot is complete, all permits will be reset to the factory.

⚠️ Warning: Resetting permissions will cause all apps to lose access to microphone, camera, geolocation and other features, and after the procedure, you will have to reconfigure permissions for WhatsApp, Instagram, banking applications, etc. Use this method only if other methods have not worked.

If the reset didn’t help, try reinstalling the app:

• 📲 Remove the current version of Yandex.Browser/Alice.
• 📲 Download the latest version only from the official website (browser.yandex.ru or alice.yandex.ru).
• 📲 Install the application and immediately after the first start provide all the permissions requested.

6. Hardware Failure Check and Alternative Solutions

If none of the software methods worked, the problem may be the hardware, and the most common problems with the microphone on Xiaomi smartphones are:

• 🔊 Microphone hole contamination - dust or fibers of fabric can block sound. blow the hole with compressed air or gently clean with a soft brush.
• 🔊 Damage to the microphone plume is relevant after falls or disassembly of the phone.
• 🔊 Contact oxidation – if the phone is in contact with moisture (even if it is not completely submerged in water).
• 🔊 Main microphone malfunction – in this case, the secondary microphone (for noise reduction) may work, but the recording quality will be poor.

To check if the microphone is working at the hardware level, use the test mode:

#6484## (for models on Qualcomm)
#64663## (for models on MediaTek)

Once you enter the code, you'll be taken to the engineering menu. Select Audio. → Mic Test and talk to the microphone. If the sound level indicator doesn't respond, the problem is hardware.

If the microphone is working, but still does not work in Yandex, try alternative methods:

• 🎧 Use headphones with a microphone – sometimes the system only blocks the main microphone, but allows access to the external microphone.
• 🌐 Open the web version of Alice in the browser (alice.yandex.ru) and check if the microphone is working there.
• 📱 Install a third-party audio recording app (e.g. Easy Voice Recorder) and configure it as a microphone source for Yandex (via Local Server or Virtual Audio).

💡

If the microphone doesn’t work in just one Yandex application (like a browser, but it works in Alice), the problem is most likely with the settings of that particular application or its cache. Start by cleaning the data and reinstalling it.

7. Update of firmware and system core

In rare cases, the microphone problem may be due to a firmware bug. MIUI 12.5 for Redmi Note 10 Pro was a famous bug that caused the microphone to stop working after the security update. 13T Some users have experienced a conflict of audio drivers after manual resetting settings.

To rule out this cause:

1. Check the current firmware version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. Compare it to the latest version available on Xiaomi’s official website for your model.
3. If the update is available, install it through Settings → Updating the system.

If the update doesn’t help or doesn’t, try:

• 🔄 Manual installation of firmware through MIUI bootloader or Xiaomi Flash Tool (power users only!).
• 🔄 Reverse to previous version if the problem has occurred after the last update.
• 🔄 Install a custom core (e.g. FrancoKernel) if you have a bootloader unlocked.

⚠️ Warning: Manual firmware or rollback of the version may lead to data loss, blocking IMEI or unstable phone. Before the procedure, back up through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset and make sure the battery charge is at least 60%.

On Xiaomi models with MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi) 9, POCO M4 Pro) partition re-marking may be required after firmware update /data, Otherwise, the microphone will be distorted: format:ext4 userdata.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking the microphone in Yandex on Xiaomi