How to Clean the Mike on Xiaomi Phone: Safe Techniques for Redmi, POCO and Mi

The microphone on Xiaomi is a small but critical element that affects the quality of voice calls, video recordings, and voice assistants. Over time, dust, pocket pile, or even skin particles can clog the microphone holes, leading to distortion, wheezing, or complete disappearance. If you notice that the interlocutor does not hear you when you make calls or voice messages are recorded with interference, the problem is likely to lie in the contamination of the microphone.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to clean the microphone on Xiaomi phones (including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11 and others) that can be used at home without special tools. Importantly, not all methods are universal — some are suitable only for surface cleaning, others require care so as not to damage the microphone membrane, we will also explain how to determine which microphone is contaminated (there are usually two or three in a smartphone), and what to do if cleaning does not help.

Before you start, remember: microphones in Xiaomi are most often located in the bottom of the case (near the Type-C connector) and next to the main camera (for noise reduction).

How to know if the microphone is clogged: 4 signs

Before cleaning, make sure the problem is really in the microphone, not a software failure or damage to the plume.

• 📞 The person who is speaking to you is not able to hear you when you are on the phone, even though you are speaking as usual, and you are clearly hearing him.
• 🎤 Voice messages are recorded with wheezing or the sound is interrupted as if you are speaking through a fabric.
• 🎥 When recording video, the sound is distorted, although the image is clear, especially on street recordings (wind, noise).
• 🤖 Google Assistant (Alice) does not recognize commands or fires again.

If any of these signs are present, the probability of a microphone clogging is 80%. To confirm the diagnosis, try using a second microphone (for example, switch to speaker while calling or record a video with noise cancellation on). If the sound becomes clearer, the problem is in the main microphone.

⚠️ Warning: If the microphone stopped working suddenly after the phone fell or moisture got in, cleaning won't help.

Where are the microphones in the phones Xiaomi: layout scheme

Most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models use a dual or triple microphone system:

1. The main microphone is located at the bottom of the case, next to the charging connector, responsible for transmitting voice during calls.
2. The second microphone is next to the main camera (on the back), used for noise reduction and video recording.
3. The third microphone (if any) can be located on the upper end face (for example, in Xiaomi 13 Pro or POCO F5).

To accurately determine the number of microphones in your model, check the specifications on the official Xiaomi website or use the AIDA64 app (Audio section).

If you're not sure which microphone is contaminated, try to turn your finger over the holes as you ring, and when the sound gets worse, you find a problem microphone.

Method 1: Cleaning with a soft brush (the safest method)

This method is suitable for surface cleaning and removal of dust, pile or small debris, it does not require disassembling the phone and is safe for the microphone membrane.

You'll need:

• 🖌️ Soft art brush (for example, for watercolor) or clean toothbrush with soft bristles.
• 🔦 Lights (you can use flashlights on another phone).
• 🧴 Alcohol wipes (optional, for cleaning the body).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your phone to avoid accidental tapping.
2. Hold the flashlight to the microphone hole at an angle, which will help you see the contamination.
3. Carefully, without pressing, brush the microphone hole in one direction (e.g., top-down). Don't use circular motions - they can drive debris deeper.
4. Repeat the procedure 3-4 times, each time shaking the dust from the brush.
5. Wipe the body around the microphone with an alcohol napkin to remove greasy traces.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use metal brushes, toothpicks or needles, which can damage the microphone mesh or membrane. Also avoid wet brushes: water trapped inside can cause contact corrosion.

This method is effective for removing dust, pile and small debris, but it will not help if the microphone is filled with sticky substances (for example, cream or dirt).

Method 2: Removing contaminants with scotch (for sticky dirt)

If the microphone is penetrated by particles of cream, cosmetics or other sticky dirt, a regular brush may not cope, in which case paint scotch (or any other scotch with non-aggressive glue) will help.

How to clean:

1. Cut a small piece of scotch (about 1×1 cm).
2. Apply it to the microphone hole with the sticky side down.
3. Slowly press the tape and immediately tear it off. Repeat it 2-3 times.
4. Check if there's any glue left on the case, wipe the place with an alcohol napkin if necessary.

This method is good at removing tissue fibers, cosmetic particles and small debris, but it is not suitable for deep cleaning. If the sound does not improve after the procedure, try combining this method with brushing.

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For better results, warm up your phone slightly before using Scotch (for example, hold it for 5 minutes) – this will make sticky dirt softer and make it easier to remove.

Method 3: Purging with compressed air (for deep cleaning)

If the contaminants are deep inside the microphone, they can be blown out with a compressed air spray (sold in electronics stores or household goods), a method that is more effective than a brush, but requires caution.

Instructions:

• 🎯 Hold the spray vertically (do not tilt to avoid fluid leakage).
• 📱 Place the phone on a flat surface, with the microphone hole up.
• 💨 At a distance of 5-7 cm short presses (1-2 seconds) blow the microphone. Do not direct the jet at right angles - this can damage the membrane.
• 🔄 Repeat 2-3 times, pause between the presses.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use a compressor or vacuum cleaner - too much airflow can warp the microphone membrane. Also avoid cans with aggressive solvents (for example, to clean keyboards).

After purging, check the microphone for performance. If the sound is cleaner but the problem is partial, combine this method with brushing.

Method 4: Alcohol cleaning (only for external mesh)

If the microphone is covered with greasy plaque or sticky dirt, you can use isopropyl alcohol (70% or higher).

Step-by-step:

1. Moisten the cotton swab in alcohol and squeeze off the excess (it should be wet, but not wet).
2. Only wipe the microphone grid carefully without pressing.
3. Wait 2-3 minutes for the alcohol to evaporate.
4. Blow the microphone with compressed air (see Method 3) to remove any dirt.

This method helps remove fat, cosmetics and sticky contaminants, but is ineffective against dust or pile, and is not suitable if the microphone mesh is damaged (alcohol can leak in and damage the membrane).

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Isopropyl alcohol evaporates without residue, unlike water or wet wipes, so it's safer for electronics, but even it can damage the microphone when it gets inside.

Method 5: Disassembly of the phone (extreme case)

If all previous methods have failed, it is possible that the contamination is under the safety net or inside the case, in which case you will need to partially disassemble the phone, but we recommend contacting the service center if you do not have experience in electronics repair.

What can you do on your own (at your own risk)

• 🛠️ Remove the back cover (if it is removable, as in the POCO M3 or Redmi 9A). This will require a plastic shoulder blade and hair dryer (to soften the glue).
• 🔍 Find the microphone on the board (usually soldered and looks like a small black square with a metal cover).
• 🖌️ Clean it carefully with a soft brush or compressed air.
• 🔄 Collect the phone back, making sure all the plumes are connected correctly.

⚠️ Note: Separation of Xiaomi phone with a non-removable back cover (for example, Xiaomi 13 or Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) requires a special tool (suction cups, tweezers) and risks damaging plumes or batteries.If you are not sure about your skills, you better contact the professionals.

The cost of cleaning the microphone in the service center usually does not exceed 500-1000 rubles, while independent analysis without experience can lead to more expensive repairs.

What to do if the cleaning doesn’t help?

If the microphone is still not working well after all the manipulations, the problem may not be pollution, but:

• 🔌 Damage to the plume (for example, after a phone drop).
• 💧 Corrosion of contacts (if the phone was in contact with moisture).
• 🔊 Software failure (solved by resetting settings or flashing).
• 🎛️ Misfunction of the microphone itself (replacement required).

Diagnosis:

1. Check the microphone in safe mode (press the power button → Safe mode). If it is working properly, the problem is in the third-party application.
2. Write a voice message in another messenger (for example, in Telegram instead of WhatsApp), if the sound is clean, the problem is in the settings of the particular application.
3. Connect the headphones to the microphone, and if the sound is transmitted through them normally, the built-in microphone is defective.

If none of the tests worked, contact the service center. Replacing the microphone in Xiaomi costs 800-1500 rubles (depending on the model).

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning Xiaomi's microphone