Where is the microphone in Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: layout and diagnosis

You try to record a voice message, but the person complains of hearing loss? Or maybe the voice recognition app is not working? The first thing that comes to mind is to check the microphone on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro. But where is it even located? Unlike speakers or cameras, the microphones in smartphones are often hidden so that they can't be seen by the naked eye.

Not only will this article show the exact coordinates of all the microphones in your Redmi Note 8 Pro (and there are three of them here!), but it will also teach you how to test them without special equipment. We will analyze the typical problems — from clogging to software failures — and give a checklist for self-diagnosis. And if you suddenly find that the microphone does not work during calls, but correctly records voice notes, you will understand why this happens and how to fix it.

How many microphones are in the Redmi Note 8 Pro and why there are so many

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro has three microphones, each performing its own role, not as a whim of engineers, but as a smart solution to improve sound quality in different scenarios:

• 🎥 Third microphone (for video) -- picks up sound when recording video. Built into the main camera module.

This is called an Active Noise Reduction System (ANC), which when you're on the phone, your smartphone analyzes the sound from both microphones and suppresses background noises (like wind or voices in a cafe), and without a second microphone, you'd not only hear you, but all the chaos around you.

Interestingly, the third microphone is only activated when you record video through the main camera, so if you're shooting on the front, the sound will capture the main microphone, so the quality of the audio track may vary.

The exact location of microphones: photo and diagram

To avoid guessing the coffee grounds, here are the exact coordinates of each microphone in the Redmi Note 8 Pro (relevant to all versions, including global MIUI Global and China's MIUI China):

Note that the hole in the main microphone is often confused with the second speaker (which is responsible for stereo sound), but the speaker is actually on the right of USB-C, and the microphone is on the left, and it's several times smaller. If you look closely, next to the microphone you can see a miniature metal mesh — this is a dust shield.

Importantly, on some Redmi Note 8 Pro models, the top microphone can be closed with factory film, and if you recently bought a phone and noticed that noise cancellation was not working, check if you forgot to remove the top end protective sticker.

How to check the microphone for performance: 3 ways

Before you bring your phone to the service, make sure the microphone is the problem, and here are three reliable diagnostic methods that don't require root rights or special software:

1. Built-in test in MIUI

Xiaomi hid a hardware component testing tool in the firmware to run it:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Dial the combination: ##4636###.
3. In the menu, select Phone Information → Microphone Test.
4. Speak to the microphone – the signal level (green bars) should be displayed on the screen.

If the bars don't respond to the voice, the problem is hardware. If they do, but the sound is distorted, maybe the microphone is clogged or the membrane is damaged.

2. Voice recording

The simplest test:

• 🎙️ Open the Dictaphone app (or any other to record sound).
• 🔊 Start recording and say a few phrases.
• 🎧 Play the tape. Pay attention to the video:

3. Verification through the engineering menu

For advanced users:

1. Call the phone at #36446337##.
2. Go to Hardware Testing → Audio.
3. Select the Mic Test and watch for DB Level (should change when talking).

If the DB Level is zero or doesn't change, the microphone is faulty. If the numbers jump randomly, you may have problems with contacts or plumes.

Checked the main microphone through the dictaphone|The upper microphone (noise suppression) was tested)|Cleaned the holes of the microphones from dust|The permissions for the microphone in MIUI|Updated firmware to the latest version-->

Typical microphone problems and their solutions

If the microphone is not working or is not working well, 80% of the time it is one of three things that is to blame:

⚠️ Warning: If the microphone stopped working after the phone fell, don't try to disassemble the case yourself.In the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the microphone plume is soldered to the motherboard, and careless interference can damage other components.

1. Clogging with dust or moisture

The microphones in the Redmi Note 8 Pro are protected by grids, but over time, dust and skin particles clog the holes.

• 🔇 The sound becomes muffled, as if you were talking through a blanket.
• 🌬️ Whistle or hiss appears when recording.
• 💧 After getting moisture, the microphone wheezes or does not work at all.

Decision:

• 🧹 Carefully clean the microphone holes with a soft toothbrush (do not use needles or toothpicks!).
• 💨 Blow the holes with compressed air (a canister for cleaning equipment).
• 🍚 If you get moisture, put your phone in a bag of raw rice on the 12-24 hour (rice will absorb moisture).

2. Programmatic failures

Sometimes the microphone fails because of:

• 📱 Failure in the firmware (especially after the update) MIUI).
• 🚫 Prohibiting access to microphones for specific applications.
• 🦠 Viruses or conflicting services (e.g. voice assistants).

Decision:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Permissions → Microphone and check which programs have access.
2. Reset network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.
3. Update the firmware to the latest version or roll back to stable if the failure occurred after the update.

Hardware malfunctions

If the microphone does not work in any application, and the software methods did not help, you can:

• 🔌 A plume break (often after a fall or disassembly of the phone).
• 🔋 Damage to contacts on the motherboard.
• 🎛️ The microphone itself is broken (rarely, but it happens).

Decision:

• 🔧 Repair of the microphone in the Redmi Note 8 Pro costs 800-1500 rubles (depending on the microphone model and region).
• 📦 If the phone is warranty, do not open it - it will void the warranty obligations.

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Before visiting the service, record a video demonstrating the problem (for example, how the microphone does not work during a call) to help the wizard diagnose the malfunction faster.

Why the microphone works in some applications but doesn’t work in others

Situation: you're successful at recording voice notes, but when you're calling on WhatsApp or Telegram, the person you're talking to doesn't hear you, or vice versa, the microphone is on messengers, but it's not recording the sound on TikTok. What's the matter?

The reason is that Android routing audio separately, different apps can use different microphones or audio settings, and here are some common scenarios:

Another common cause is the conflict of voice assistants, where if you have Google Assistant, Alice from Yandex and Mi AI installed simultaneously, they can block access to the microphone for other applications.

1. Open Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Find voice assistants and turn off autostart.
3. Reboot the phone.

How to improve sound quality when recording: tips for Redmi Note 8 Pro

Even if the microphones are good, the sound quality can be poor, and here are 5 practical tips to make your voice sound clear:

• 🎤 Keep the microphone close to the sound source. The optimal distance is 15-30 cm. If you talk too close, you will hear wheezing from the airflow.
• 🌪️ Avoid the wind. Even a light wind makes low-frequency noise. When shooting outside, use windscreen (you can make it from foam).
• 🏠 Record in a quiet room. A room with carpets, curtains and upholstered furniture absorbs echoes better than an empty room with bare walls.
• 📱 Use an external microphone.Redmi Note 8 Pro supports microphone connectivity via USB-C Even an inexpensive lavier microphone for 500-1000 rubles will significantly improve the sound.
• 🎛️ Set up the equalizer. MIUI There is a built-in equalizer: Settings → Sound. → Equator: For voice, it is recommended to increase frequencies in the range of 1-4 kHz.

If you record podcasts or videos frequently, consider buying a directional microphone (like the Boya BY-M1 or Fifine K669B) that connects directly to your smartphone and delivers sound at the professional studio level.

⚠️ Note: When recording video in 4K Redmi Note 8 Pro automatically turns off noise cancellation to reduce the load on the processor.If you care about sound quality, shoot in Full HD (1080p).

Frequent questions about microphones in the Redmi Note 8 Pro

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If the microphone stopped working after the MIUI update, try rolling back to the previous firmware version. Often, audio bugs are fixed in the next patches, but you can wait for weeks.