How to unlock the microphone on the Xiaomi phone: from settings to system reset

Microphone on smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO It can suddenly stop working for dozens of reasons, from banal disabling the resolution in settings to deep system failures after the update. MIUI. The problem is different: apps like WhatsApp, Zoom, or Google Assistant don't hear your voice, people don't hear you when they call, and voice notes don't record. 80 percent of the time, it takes less than 5 minutes to solve -- if you know where to look.

This article covers all possible scenarios of locking the microphone on Xiaomi devices, including software restrictions, hardware malfunctions and firmware conflicts.

• 🔍 How to check if the microphone is physically working
• ⚙️ Where to look for permission settings in MIUI 12/13/14
• 🛠️ Ways to Reset Settings Without Losing Data
• 📱 What to do if the problem is in a particular app (for example, TikTok or Instagram)
• 🔧 When you need to re-flash or repair

Important: if the microphone stopped working after a phone drop, moisture or mechanical damage, no software method will help, in such cases, you need a diagnosis in the service center.

1. Microphone check: hardware or software problem?

Before digging into the settings, make sure the microphone is physically fit. Xiaomi devices usually have 2-3 microphones: the main (bottom of the case), an additional one for noise reduction (top of the device), and sometimes a third one for video.

1. Voice Recorder: Open the standard Dictaphone app (or install Voice Recorder from Google Play) and record 5-10 seconds of speech. Play it back — if there's sound, the microphone works.
2. Call voicemail: Call *100# (or your carrier's other short number) and leave a voice message, and if you hear someone, the problem is with the settings of specific applications.
3. Video Call: Use Google Meet or Telegram for a test call. If the microphone works in one app but doesn't work in another, see the permissions section.

⚠️ Attention: if none of the methods have worked, and the microphone does not respond even to loud sounds (blow into it or knock next to it), probably damaged microphone membrane or departed contacts on the board.

2. Permission settings: where to look for microphone lock in MIUI

The most common reason is that the microphone permissions are disabled in a system or a particular application. MIUI These settings are hidden deeper than pure Android, and their location depends on the firmware version:

General system permits

Go to: Settings → Annexes → Permit management → Microphone

Here you'll see a list of all the apps that have ever requested access to a microphone. Make sure that the right programs (like WhatsApp, Zoom, Camera) have the status Permitted. If it says "Not allowed" or "Ask again" next to the app, tap it and select "Allow".

Appendix-specific authorizations

Sometimes access is blocked at the level of a single software to check:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find a problem app (like Instagram) and tap it.
3. Select Permissions → Microphone.
4. Set the switch in the Allow position.

💡 Useful tip: if the microphone still doesn't work after changing the permissions, try to delete the app cache. → Clear cache.This often helps with mic access glitch on TikTok or Snapchat.

Special permits for MIUI

In the firmware MIUI 12-14, there's an extra layer of protection -- Special permits:

1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Special permits → Access to the microphone.
2. Make sure that the desired applications do not make it to the restricted list.
3. If the app is on the list, tap it and allow access.

⚠️ Note: in some regional versions MIUI (For example, in China, you can activate the Enhanced Privacy Mode, which blocks the microphone for all applications except system ones. → Confidentiality → Increased privacy and deactivate the option.

3.Microphone problems in specific applications

Sometimes the microphone works in some programs (for example, in a voice recorder), but does not work in others (for example, in Discord or Viber).

• 🔄 Permission conflicts within the application
• 📱 Cache or data errors
• 🔒 Blocking with an antivirus or MIUI Optimizer

Let’s look at the solutions for popular applications:

🔍 Key takeaway: If the microphone doesn't work in just one application, the problem is almost always solved by cleaning the cache or reinstalling the program.

4. Settings reset: when it really helps

If the microphone doesn't work in any app and it's physically sound, the next step is to reset. Xiaomi devices have three reset levels, and you start with the most gentle one:

Resetting of application permissions

This method doesn't delete your data, but it returns all permissions to factory settings.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Reset Application Permissions.
3. Confirm the action.

After resetting, you will have to re-allow microphone access for all applications, but this often solves the lock problem.

4.2. Reset all settings (without deleting data)

If the previous method didn’t help, try resetting only the system settings without affecting files and applications:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose Reset All Settings (not to be confused with Delete All Data!).
3. Enter your password (if required) and confirm.

This method will return to the factory settings:

• 📶 Network settings (Wi-Fi, mobile Internet)
• 🔊 Sound profiles
• ⚙️ Application authorizations
• 🔒 Security settings (fingerprint, Face) ID)

⚠️ Note: after such a reset, you may need to reconfigure your Google Account and some system settings. Do not use this method if the Find Device feature is activated on your phone - after the reset, you may need to enter the old password.

Full reset (Hard Reset)

This is an extreme measure that removes all data from your phone, and only use it if:

• 🔧 The microphone is not working after the update. MIUI.
• 📱 The phone is slowing, glitching and has other system problems.
• 🔒 You've tried all the previous methods.

To perform a complete reset:

1. Make a backup copy of the data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings. → The phone. → Resetting settings → Deletion of all data.
3. Choose Clear everything and confirm.

💡 Useful advice: if after reset, the microphone worked, but after a while the problem returned, probably one of the installed applications is to blame.

5. Update firmware and fix system errors

In some versions MIUI (particularly MIUI 12.5 and MIUI 13) there were bugs that caused the microphone to stop working after updating or restarting" (OTA), There's a chance the problem is the firmware.

Verification of the relevance of firmware

Make sure that the latest version is installed on your device. MIUI:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. If an update is available, install it.

Manual installation of firmware through Recovery

If automatic updates don't work, you can manually install the firmware.

1. Download the latest stable firmware for your model from Xiaomi’s official website (choose the Stable version, not Developer!).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and move it to the phone’s root folder.
3. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Dots → Select a firmware file.
4. Select the downloaded file and confirm the installation.

⚠️ Note: if you install firmware for another region (e.g. Global instead of China), you may need to unlock the bootloader and completely clean up the data. Wrong firmware can turn your phone into a brick — if you are not sure, contact the service.

Recoil on the previous version MIUI

If the microphone stopped working after the update, you can try to return to the previous version of the firmware.

1. Find the archive with the right version MIUI forum-like XDA Developers or 4PDA.
2. Download the file and rename it to update.zip.
3. Press the Power + Volume buttons up to enter Recovery Mode.
4. Select Install update.zip and confirm the installation.

🔧 Key Conclusion: If the problem appears after the update, rollback to the previous version MIUI However, remember that after a rollback, some features may stop working (for example, Google Pay on uncertified firmware).

6. Hardware malfunctions: when you need help from the service

If none of the software methods worked, there's probably a problem with the hardware. Xiaomi devices most often fail:

• 🎤 Main microphone (lower body) – usually after falling or getting moisture.
• 🔌 Contacts on the motherboard - oxidized or departed.
• 📶 Antenna module – affects the quality of voice transmission during calls.
• 🔋 Battery – a bloated battery can put pressure on the board and disrupt the microphone.

🔍 How to Diagnose a Hardware Problem:

1. Check the microphone on another device (if you can connect an external microphone through the device) USB-C).
2. Light a flashlight into the microphone hole – if moisture or dirt is visible inside, cleaning is required.
3. Shake the phone near your ear – if you hear a noise inside (such as detached parts), it’s a sign of mechanical damage.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone fell into water or was subjected to severe vibration (for example, in a car without a shock absorber), do not try to disassemble it yourself.Modern Xiaomi smartphones have adhesive construction, and unprofessional repairs can damage plumes or boards.

📌 The cost of repairing the microphone in the service:

💡 Useful tip: Before contacting the service, back up your data via Mi Cloud or Google Account. In some cases, a complete phone reset is required for repairs.

7. Alternative solutions: external microphones and workarounds

If you can't unlock the built-in microphone, you can use external devices or software bypasses, and this is true for users who depend on voice communication (streamers, teachers, managers).

Connecting an external microphone

Most Xiaomi smartphones support external microphones through:

• 🎧 3.5mm audio jack (if you have one in your model).
• 🔌 USB-C adapter (e.g, USB-C 3.5 mm or specialized microphones such as BOYA BY-M1).
• 📶 Bluetooth headsets (e.g. Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones).

📌 How to set up an external microphone:

1. Connect the device to the phone.
2. Go to Settings. → Sound. → Audio output/input devices.
3. Select a connected microphone as the sound source.

7.2 Use of the telephone as a microphone for the PC

If the microphone does not work on the phone, but is needed for streaming or PC calls, you can use the phone as an external microphone:

1. Install on PC and phone application WO Mic (available on Google Play and official website).
2. Connect devices via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or USB.
3. In the settings WO Mic on PC Select Phone as Sound Source.

⚠️ Attention: when used WO Mic over Wi-Fi can cause a delay in sound. Use the minimum lags USB-connection.

Program bypasses for specific tasks

If you need a microphone for a specific task (for example, for YouTube streams or online games), you can use alternative solutions:

• 🎮 For streams: use OBS Studio on PC and connect your phone as a webcam via DroidCam.
• 📞 For calls: go to Discord or Telegram, where there is an option to use a browser microphone.
• 📝 For voice notes: Record voice on another device and sync files via Google Drive.

🔧 Key takeaway: external microphones and software bypasses are a temporary solution. If the built-in microphone is broken, it's better to repair it or replace the phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking the microphone on Xiaomi