Xiaomi phone microphone: where it is, how it looks and how to check it

Have you ever wondered where your Xiaomi microphone is hidden? Or why people sometimes don't hear you when they call? In modern smartphones, manufacturers carefully mask technical holes for the design of the case, and microphones are no exception. In this article, we will not only show what the microphone looks like in Xiaomi phones (with real photos and diagrams), but also reveal some little-known facts about their location, number and function.

It turns out that most Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO models have 2 to 4 microphones β€” and each one does its part. For example, the bottom microphone is responsible for voice during calls, and the top microphone (near the speaker) is responsible for noise cancellation. But how do you tell them visually? And why does it sometimes seem that the microphone "disappears" after changing the glass or body? The answers are below, with detailed illustrations and practical tips.

Where is the microphone in Xiaomi phones: typical locations

Depending on the Xiaomi model, microphones can be located in 4 key areas of the case. the manufacturer adheres to the standard scheme, but with nuances for flagship and budget lines.

  • πŸ“ The bottom edge of the case (near the USB-Type C or 3.5mm audio connector) is the main microphone for calling and recording voice, usually one or two small holes, often hidden under the speaker's grille.
  • πŸ“ The top face (near the speaker) is an additional microphone for noise reduction. In some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro), there is a second microphone for stereo recording.
  • πŸ“ Rear panel (next to the main camera) – found in flagships (e.g. Mi 11 Ultra) to improve video recording.
  • πŸ“ Under-screen – In models with Under-Display Camera technology (such as the Mix 4), the microphone can be integrated into the top bezel of the display.

Interestingly, budget Redmis (like the Redmi Note 12) often only use two microphones, the bottom and top, whereas flagships (like the Xiaomi 14) can have three or four.

πŸ“Š How many microphones do you think your Xiaomi has?
1
2
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I don't know.

To determine exactly where the microphone is in your model, use official documentation or service schemes. POCO F5 The main microphone is hidden under the left grille of the bottom face, and the additional one is next to the front camera. 12T The microphones are symmetrically located on the sides of the USB-port.

What the microphone looks like in Xiaomi: photos and visual differences

The microphones in Xiaomi smartphones are visually similar to tiny circular or oval holes with a diameter of 0.5-1.5 mm. They are often disguised as decorative elements or combined with other components (for example, speakers or sensors).

  • πŸ” Main microphone: usually one hole (less often two) next to the USB-It can be covered by a metal grid or a plastic grid. In Redmi Note 11, for example, this is a small hole to the left of the connector.
  • πŸ” Additional microphone: often hidden under the top speaker grille (like Xiaomi) 11T Sometimes it comes out with a barely noticeable dot next to the front camera.
  • πŸ” Noise reduction microphone: in flagships, it can look like a pair of symmetrical holes on the top or side face (for example, in Xiaomi 13 Ultra).

The photo below shows the microphones in popular Xiaomi models (clickable for zooming):

Photos of microphones in Xiaomi 13 Pro and Redmi Note 12
In the Xiaomi 13 Pro, the main microphone is located to the left of the USB-Type C (a hole with a diameter of ~1 mm), and the additional one is located to the right of the conversational speaker (under the grille). In the Redmi Note 12, the microphone is hidden under the left part of the lower grille, next to the sim tray.

Important! In some models (such as the POCO X5 Pro), microphone holes can be confused with barometer or pressure sensor holes. To avoid mistakes, compare the location with official circuits or use a flashlight - microphone holes are usually deaf (not visible).

⚠️ Warning: If the sound is lost when the display or back cover is replaced, check if the microphone contacts are affected. 60% of the time, the problem is damage to the plume connecting the microphone to the motherboard.

How many microphones in your Xiaomi: a comparison table by model

The number of microphones depends on the price segment and the year of release of the smartphone. Budget models are usually equipped with 2 microphones (for calls and noise cancellation), while flagships - 3-4 (for stereo recording, improved noise reduction and video).

Xiaomi modelNumber of microphonesLocation.Features
Xiaomi 14 / 14 Pro4Lower face (2), upper face (1), rear panel (1)Stereo recording, improved noise reduction for 8K video
Redmi Note 12 Pro+3Bottom edge (1), upper edge (1), next to the camera (1)Additional microphone for recording video in 4K
POCO F52Lower face (1), upper face (1)Budget configuration, without stereo recording
Xiaomi 13 Ultra4Lower face (2), upper face (1), rear panel (1)Professional sound recording, Dolby Atmos support
Redmi 10A2Lower face (1), upper face (1)Minimalist configuration, without noise reduction

Note that in models that support Dolby Atmos (such as the Xiaomi 13T Pro), microphones are calibrated software to improve spatial sound, which means that even if one of the microphones is physically damaged, the recording quality can be slightly impaired by processing algorithms.

How to check the performance of the microphone in Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

If someone complains that they can't hear you well, or if the voice recording apps don't work, the first thing you should do is check the microphone.

Close all background applications

Open the standard Dictator application

Record 10-15 seconds of speech at a distance of 20-30 cm from the microphone

Listen to the recording - the voice should be clear, without wheezing

Try calling another phone and assessing the sound quality.

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If the recording is quiet or disturbed, follow the following steps:

  1. 🧹 Clean microphone holes from dust and dirt with a soft brush or compressed air.Do not use needles or toothpicks - this can damage the microphone membrane.
  2. πŸ”§ Check the sound settings: Go to Settings β†’ Sound. β†’ Call quality and select HD-voice (if available) Turn off Noise Reduction in microphone settings (may not work correctly).

Test the microphone in safe mode

1. Press the power button.


2. Hold "Switch off" until the "Safe Mode" option appears




3.Confirm the reboot

If the microphone is working normally in safe mode, the problem is in one of the installed applications.

Reset the network settings

β†’ SIM-maps and mobile networks β†’ Network reset

⚠️ Warning: If the microphone stops working after a phone drops or moisture hits, don't try to disassemble the phone yourself. 90% of the time, the problem is a disconnected plume or corrosion of contacts - this requires professional repair.

For more advanced diagnostics, you can use applications like the Microphone Test (available on Google Play), which show the signal strength from each microphone in real time, and if one of the microphones doesn't respond to sound, it indicates a hardware malfunction.

Frequent Mik Problems in Xiaomi and How to Fix Them

Xiaomi users often face typical microphone problems that can be solved without going to a service center, and here are the most common cases and ways to fix them:

  • πŸ”‡ The interlocutor does not hear you during the call: The reason: clogged the hole of the main microphone or turned off mode HD-Voice. Solution: Clean the microphone and check the settings in Settings. β†’ SIM-map β†’ A challenge β†’ Voice quality.
  • 🎀 When recording video, the sound is silent or absent: Reason: an extra microphone (usually on the top edge) is damaged. Solution: try recording video with noise cancellation on - if the sound appears, the microphone is functional, but requires calibration.
  • πŸ“ž Echo or interference during a call: Cause: conflict with applications to record conversations or noise cancellation malfunction. Solution: disable all applications with microphone access in Settings β†’ Annexes β†’ Permits β†’ Microphone.
  • πŸ’¦ Microphone stopped working after moisture: Cause: contact corrosion or short circuit. Solution: don't turn on the phone until it's completely dry (minimum 48 hours). If the problem persists, you need to change the microphone.

πŸ’‘

If the microphone is only on speakerphone, check the Routing of sound settings in the engineering menu. To do this, type the code ##4636## in the Phone app, select Phone Information and make sure that Normal mode is active in the Audio section.

In models with an infrared port (for example, Xiaomi 11 Lite NE), microphone holes are sometimes confused with an infrared sensor. To distinguish them, illuminate with a flashlight: the microphone hole will not shine through, while the IR port has a reddish hue.

Can I replace the microphone in Xiaomi?

Replacing the microphone in Xiaomi smartphones is a medium-sized task that requires precision and minimal tooling, and in most cases, the microphone is soldered to the motherboard or connected via a plume, so you will need to repair:

  • πŸ”§ Plastic blade for opening the body.
  • πŸ”₯ Dryer or soldering station (if microphone soldered).
  • πŸ› οΈ Tweezers and soldering iron with a thin sting.
  • πŸ“± New microphone (you can order on AliExpress using a phone model).

Step-by-step instructions for models with a collapsible body (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro):

  1. Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-map.
  2. Heat the back cover with a hair dryer (temperature ~60 Β° C) and gently tuck it with a spatula.
  3. Unplug the battery (required!), then find the microphone – it’s usually located on a separate module next to the microphone. USB-port.
  4. Unplug or unplug the plume of the old microphone, install a new one.
  5. Put the phone back together and check its performance.

⚠️ Note: In models with adhesive battery attachment (for example, Xiaomi 12), self-replacement of the microphone is fraught with battery damage.

The cost of replacing the microphone in the service center varies from 800 to 2500 rubles depending on the model. For example, replacing the microphone in the Xiaomi 13 will cost more than in the Redmi 9A, due to the complexity of disassembly.

πŸ’‘

If the microphone doesn't work after you've changed, check the integrity of the contacts on the motherboard, and often the problem isn't with the microphone itself, but with the damaged tracks.

FAQ: Frequent questions about microphones in Xiaomi

πŸ” Why my Xiaomi has two microphone holes on the bottom?
In most cases, one hole is the main microphone, and the second is an additional one for noise reduction or stereo recording. For example, in the Xiaomi 11T Pro, the bottom edge contains two microphones: the left one is responsible for voice during calls, and the right one is responsible for recording surrounding sounds.
πŸŽ™οΈ Can I use a phone without a microphone?
Yes, but with reservations: If the main microphone is damaged (for calls), the person will hear you very quietly or with interference, and if the additional microphone is damaged (for noise reduction), the quality of calls will deteriorate in noisy places, but the conversation remains possible.
πŸ’§ What to do if the microphone stops working after water hits?
First, don't turn your phone on or charge. Put your device in a silica gel (or rice) bag for 48 to 72 hours. If the microphone doesn't work after drying, contact the service - you probably need to change the microphone and clean the contacts from corrosion.
πŸ› οΈ How much does it cost to replace the microphone in Xiaomi?
The cost depends on the model and type of microphone: Budget models (Redmi 9, POCO M4): 800-1200 rubles. the Middle segment (Redmi Note 11, Xiaomi 11 Lite): 1200-1800 rubles. Flagships (Xiaomi 13, Mix 4): 1800-2500 rubles. the Price includes work and spare parts.
πŸ“± How to turn off noise cancellation if it spoils the sound?
Go to Settings β†’ Sound β†’ Call Quality and turn off Noise Reduction. In some models (such as Xiaomi 12S), this menu may be called Voice Improvement or Audio Effects.