The problem of hearing you or the sound becoming quiet and intermittent often leaves users confused. Owners of Xiaomi smartphones and sub-brands Redmi and POCO do not always immediately understand what exactly went down or where exactly the main element of the recording is located. Often the cause is corny pollution or improperly selected case that blocks access to the hole.
Understanding the physical architecture of a device is critical to self-diagnosing, and if you know where the microphone is, you can clean it neatly or check if it's locked by accessories. Modern smartphones use a sophisticated noise reduction system, so there can be multiple holes, and each one is responsible for its own tasks.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the location of microphone modules on different series of devices from the Chinese manufacturer, you will learn to distinguish between the main, secondary and noise-cancelling inputs, and we will also touch on the software settings that can affect the operation of the audio system of your gadget.
The layout of microphones on different Xiaomi series
Engineering solutions at Xiaomi vary from model to model, but there is a well-established trend in component placement: Most modern smartphones have a main microphone on the bottom end of the case, next to the USB-C or Micro-USB charging connector. This is the industry standard for comfortable talking while holding the phone to the ear.
However, in the flagship models of the Xiaomi 13 series, Xiaomi 14 and some versions of the Mi Mix architecture may differ. there is often a hidden location or use of the entire surface of the speaker to capture sound.
An additional microphone for noise reduction and landscape video recording is almost always on the top end of the device, in some models it is combined with an IR port or proximity sensor, and less often there is a third sound sampling point that can be embedded in the main camera unit or on the side edge.
⚠️ Warning: Never use sharp metal objects (needles, pins) to clean microphone holes.You risk damaging the inner membrane or pushing dirt deeper, leading to irreversible breakage.
For quick navigation by location types, use the following table, which organizes data by popular rulers:
| Device series | Location of the main microphone | Location of the second microphone | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note (series 9-13) | Lower end (right of USB) | Upper end | Often hidden by a grid speaker |
| Xiaomi Mi / Digital Series | Lower end (separate hole) | Upper end/frame | Support for HD Voice |
| POCO (F, X, M series) | Lower end | Upper end | Aggressive noise cancellation |
| Xiaomi Black Shark | Lower and lateral ends | Upper end | Gaming Sound Optimization |
How to distinguish the main microphone from the noise suppressor
Many users mistakenly believe that all the holes on the body are responsible for voice transmission in the same way. In fact, the main microphone takes priority when talking in an upright position. It is the one that transmits your voice to the telephone network. Its hole is usually slightly larger or visually highlighted.
The second module, often called Noise Cancellation Mic, works in tandem with the main one, which is designed to pick up background noises (wind, street hum, passers-by) and transmit them to the processor for digital processing and subsequent removal from the audio stream, and if this element is contaminated, the noise reduction system may not work properly, creating an “aquarium” or echo.
You can check each one with an engineering menu or a special test app. In a standard recorder, when you turn your phone horizontally to record video, you shift priority to the side or top inputs to create a stereo effect, which is an important detail that is forgotten in diagnostics.
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When you're recording video horizontally, hold your hand against the bottom of the phone, and if the sound becomes deaf, you've shut down the main microphone, and the system switched to the top, which confirms that they're working.
Software Causes of Sound Problems in MIUI and HyperOS
Before you look for a physical hole and climb into the tool case, you should rule out software failure. MIUI Operating Shells and the new HyperOS have complex sound processing algorithms. Sometimes after a firmware update, settings can reset or a conflicting application can seize monopoly access to audio input.
Check permission settings. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find the messenger or voice recorder you are using and make sure you access the microphone. Newer versions of Android and Xiaomi shells have a “Only during use” feature that can block background recording.
Also worth paying attention to do not disturb mode or special audio profiles. In some use cases, for example, in Game Turbo game mode, the microphone settings can be changed to prioritize the sound of the game, making the player's voice quiet for the interlocutors.
☑️ Diagnostics of software failure
Physical cleaning and microphone maintenance
If software methods haven't worked, it's probably physical pollution, because dust, pocket pile and earwax are the main enemies of acoustic systems. The microphone hole on Xiaomi phones is often protected by a small mesh that gets clogged over time, which makes you hard to hear.
To clean, use a soft brush with a natural pile or a special sticky tape (cleaning gel). Carefully walk along the hole, trying not to press hard. You can use a toothbrush with a very soft bristles, but the movements should be sweeping, not indenting.
It is strictly forbidden to use compressed air from high-pressure canisters. The flow of air can damage the sensitive membrane inside or drive moisture and dust even deeper into the body, which will lead to corrosion of the contacts.
⚠️ Attention: If the sound didn't appear after cleaning, it might have moved away from the plume inside the body, which often happens after falls.
How to use the sound amplification function?
Using the Engineering Menu for Testing
Xiaomi has a powerful diagnostic tool called the CIT Engineering Menu. To get there, type ##6484## in the phone book. If the code doesn't work, you can activate it through the About Phone menu by repeatedly clicking on the kernel version.
In the test list, find items related to Main Mic, Sub Mic, or Audio Loopback, and by running them sequentially, you can determine if the hardware part is working. If you hear yourself clearly in Main Mic, but you don't in apps, the software problem is, if silence is everywhere, the problem is physical.
This method avoids unnecessary trips to the service center if it was just a software failure, but you need to interpret the results carefully: sometimes there is sound in the tests, but it is very quiet, indicating wear of the membrane or partial contamination.
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The engineering menu is the most reliable way to separate a software failure from a physical microphone breakdown without using third-party software.
When a module repair or replacement is required
If cleaning and flashing don't work, and there's silence or a lot of cracking on the engineering menu, it means that the component is out of order. The microphones in Redmi and POCO smartphones are often soldered on the bottom plume (sub-board), which also carries a charging connector, and replacing such a plume is a low-cost and fast procedure.
In more expensive models, the microphone can be soldered directly to the motherboard, which complicates repair and requires a master's degree, and the symptoms of complete failure are: complete absence of sound when recording, constant squeak or crackling, which does not disappear after rebooting.
It's also worth considering replacing if the phone gets into the water, and even if it keeps working, the microphone contacts could oxidize, and over time, the corrosion will get to other components of the board, so it's better to replace the module preventively.