Where is the microphone on the Xiaomi phone: diagrams for 30+ models (2018-2026)

Are you trying to record a voice message but someone complains about a quiet sound? Or the Google Assistant voice assistant doesn't respond to commands? Perhaps the problem lies in the physical location of the microphone on your Xiaomi - many users unknowingly cover it with their fingers or a case. In this article, we will not only show where the microphones in popular Redmi, POCO and Mi models are located, but also explain how to test their performance without special equipment.

Xiaomi uses 2 to 5 microphones in its smartphones – their number depends on the price segment and the year of release. For example, the flagship models Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Black Shark 5 Pro are equipped with a noise reduction system with three microphones (for better voice capture during calls and video recording), whereas the budget Redmi. 10A They only cost two, and they're not always intuitively located, and one of them can be hidden under the surface. IR-blaster, another next to the connector USB-C, And the third one is actually hidden under the back.

It's important to consider that even if you find all the microphones on the case, their functionality may differ. For example, the bottom microphone is often responsible for noise cancellation during calls, and the top one is responsible for voice input and recordings from the main camera. If you plan to use a smartphone for streams, podcasts or videos, knowing these nuances will help avoid typical errors in positioning the device.

1. Standard microphone locations on Xiaomi

Most Xiaomi smartphones (except ultra-budget models) have at least two microphones, the main one and the secondary one for noise reduction, and their layout is standardized, but may vary slightly depending on the design of the case.

• 📱 Top edge (near a speaker or front camera) – this is usually the main microphone for calls and voice input.
• 🔽 Lower edge (between the connector) USB-C and speaker) - second microphone for noise reduction or stereo recording.
• 📸 Back panel (near the main camera) – found in flagships for improved video recording.
• 🎤 Under IR-Blaster (if any) – in some models of Redmi Note microphone is hidden under the infrared port.

For example, the Xiaomi 12 Pro has three microphones: one at the top (for calls), the second at the bottom (noise suppression), the third near the main camera (for 4K video). and the POCO X5 Pro has only two, but the bottom one has a dual function: captures voice and suppresses background noise.

⚠️ Note: If your smartphone is equipped with active noise cancellation (for example, Xiaomi) 13T), Do not cover the bottom microphone with a cover – this will lead to distortion of the voice during calls.

Microphone layouts by model (2018–2026)

To avoid guessing where your Xiaomi microphone is, we’ve compiled current schemas for popular lines. Note that in some models, microphones can be symmetrical (for example, in the Redmi Note 11 Pro), and in others asymmetrical (as in the Mi 11 Lite).

If your model is not in the table, use the universal rule: the main microphone is always next to the front camera or speaker. To check, just hold the phone to your ear during the call, you will hear a slight hiss (this is the noise reduction system).

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To quickly find the microphone on an unfamiliar model, turn on Google voice search and slowly move your finger around the edges of the case. When the sound starts to disappear, you find the microphone!

3. How to check the performance of the microphone

If people complain that they can't hear you well or that voice commands aren't recognized, first make sure that the problem isn't with the software settings. Here's a step-by-step diagnostic guide:

1. Check the physical cleanliness. Microphones are often clogged with dust or villi from your pocket. Examine the holes with a magnifying glass - if you see contamination, clean carefully with a dry toothbrush (do not use alcohol-containing liquids!).
2. Testing through embedded software. Go to Settings → About Phone → Diagnostics → Equipment Test → Microphone. If the test fails, the hardware problem is.
3. Voice recording. Use a standard voice recorder or a third-party app like Voice Recorder. Compare the volume of the recording to another device.
4. Check during the call. Call another phone and turn on speaker. If the voice is heard quietly or with interference, the bottom microphone is to blame.

If the microphone doesn't work at all, try resetting to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Resetting). In 30% of cases, this is how the problem is solved. If not, repair is required (the contacts on the plume are most often oxidized).

Check the cleanliness of the microphone holes|Testing through built-in diagnostics|Test recording in a quiet room|Try another case (it may be blocking the microphone)|Reset the sound settings to factory-->

⚠️ Warning: If the microphone is missing after the phone falls, do not try to disassemble the device yourself - in 90% of cases this damages the flexible plume that connects the microphone to the motherboard".

4. Frequent causes of microphone malfunction

According to statistics from service centers, 65% of problems with microphones on Xiaomi are not due to hardware breakdowns, but to external factors.

• 🌧️ Even if the phone is not sinking, condensation after rain or high humidity can oxidize the contacts.
• 📱 Mechanical damage. A hit or fall often detachs the microphone from the board. Sign: the microphone is not working at all, but the speakers are working.
• 🔇 Hole contamination, and dust, sand, or pile from clothing clogs the microphone grid, which results in a muffled sound or no sound at all.
• 🔄 Software glitches. After the update MIUI Sound settings can go off, so the solution is, reset or roll back the firmware.
• 🎧 Accessories conflict. Some cases or magnetic holders lock the microphone.

The microphones in IP53 models, such as the Redmi Note 11, are particularly vulnerable, and their protection from dust and splashes is minimal, so even a small amount of moisture can knock the microphone out of order. If the sound becomes hoarse after contact with water, don't dry the phone with a hairdryer, it will speed up corrosion. Better put it in a silica gel bag for 12 to 24 hours.

5. How to improve the sound recording quality on Xiaomi

Even if the microphones on your Xiaomi are good, the recording quality can be poor, especially when shooting videos on the street or in noisy rooms, and here are some practical tips to help improve sound without buying an external microphone:

• 🎤 Use the correct position. When recording the video, hold the phone so that the bottom microphone (responsible for noise reduction) is directed towards the sound source.
• 🔇 Turn off unnecessary effects. In camera settings (Settings) → Video → Audio) disable Voice Improvement – it often adds artificial distortions.
• 📱 Use third-party applications. Standard voice recorder. MIUI Try Dolby On or Voice Recorder Pro for a cleaner record.
• 🌬️ Use windscreen. If you're shooting outside, put a piece of foam on your microphone, or buy a cheap pop-filter for smartphones.

For streamers and podcasters, there is another life hack: Xiaomi with MIUI 14+, you can activate Studio Sound mode.

1. Open Settings → Sound and vibration → Sound quality.
2. Enable the "Enhanced Voice" option (not available on all models).
3. In the camera app, select Professional Mode → Microphone Settings → Stereo.

This will reduce noise levels significantly, but it can slightly mute your voice. Experiment with settings in a quiet room to find balance.

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On Xiaomi’s flagship 12/13 series, microphones support AI Noise Cancellation, which automatically suppresses background noise, but it only works in official applications (Camera, Recorder) and is disabled in third-party programs (such as Instagram or TikTok).

Repair of the microphone: when to contact the service

If the diagnostics show that the microphone is defective, you have two options: try to fix it yourself or take it to the service.

1. The microphone is clogged (you can clean it without disassembling).
2. The contacts oxidized after moisture (need alcohol and brush).
3. The problem is in the software (reset or flashing will help).

In all other cases (especially if the microphone does not work after a fall), professional help is required.

• 💰 Replacement of microphone in Xiaomi costs 800-2500 ₽ In flagships (for example, Mi 13 Ultra) the price is higher due to the complexity of disassembly.
• ⏱️ In official Xiaomi services, repairs take 3-7 days, in informal services – sometimes 1-2 days, but without warranty.
• 🔧 Warranty cases. If the phone is warranty, don't disassemble it yourself, it will void the warranty.

Before you give the phone for repair, check:

Is the microphone running in safe mode (if so, a software problem) is blocking the sound of the cover or film (try recording the voice without it), is the Do Not Disturb or Quiet mode activated?

If you decide to repair yourself, here’s what you’ll need:

• 🛠️ Setting screwdrivers (T3, T5 Xiaomi).
• 🧲 Screen suction cup.
• 🔥 Fryer (for softening glue).
• 🎤 New microphone (buy the original or analogue with AliExpress, check compatibility by part number).

⚠️ Note: When replacing the microphone with Xiaomi AMOLED-screen (e.g., screen, POCO F4 GT) Be careful, the plume is very fragile, and if it's damaged, it'll cause you to lose your image completely, and it'll cost you 10,000 to repair the screen.+ ₽.

7. Alternative solutions if the microphone is not working

If repairs are delayed and the microphone is urgently needed for work or communication, use temporary solutions:

• 🎧 Bluetooth headset. Connect wireless headphones with a microphone (such as Xiaomi AirDots) and the sound will be transmitted through them, not through the built-in microphone.
• 🔌 Wired headset. Even the cheapest wired headphones with a microphone (3.5 mm or more). USB-C) They'll solve the problem. MIUI They automatically become the primary input device.
• 📱 External microphone: You can use a lavalier microphone to record video (e.g., Boya). BY-M1), plug-in USB-C.
• 💬 Voice input via keyboard. Gboard has a voice dialing feature (Microphone on keyboard) that uses a software-based audio processor rather than a hardware-based audio processor.

The best option for calls is a Bluetooth headset. Current models (e.g. Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro) support cVc 8.0 for noise reduction, which makes voice clear even in noisy environments. If you don't have a headset, try to turn on speakerphone and talk to the top speaker, which sometimes gives a better result than a faulty microphone.

For streaming or podcast recording, an external sound card (such as iRig Pre 2) that connects via USB-C and allows professional microphones to be used will be a temporary solution, which will cost more, but the sound quality will be at the studio level.

FAQ: Frequent questions about microphones on Xiaomi