How to unlock the microphone on the Xiaomi phone: step-by-step instructions

The microphone on Xiaomi’s smartphone can suddenly stop working for a dozen reasons, from randomly tapping settings to hardware malfunctions. If you notice that the person you are not hearing during calls, voice messages are not recorded, and assistants like Google Assistant or Alice do not respond to commands, the problem is precisely related to locking the microphone. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways of unlocking, from basic checks to deep MIUI settings and even hardware solutions.

It's important to understand that microphone locking comes in three types: software (OS or application restrictions), physical (Mic or connector damage) and system (firmware failures). We'll start with the simplest methods that don't require technical skills, and gradually move on to more complex ones. If you're a Redmi Note 12 user, POCO X5 user or Xiaomi 14 flagship, the instructions will be suitable for all models on MIUI 12-14.

Before you start, make sure that the problem is not in the person or the network. Try recording a voice message on Telegram or WhatsApp — if the sound is recorded but not transmitted during the call, the operator may be to blame. Also check if the "On the plane" or "Do not disturb" mode is on — they sometimes turn off the microphone to save charge.

1. Verification of permissions for applications

The most common reason for microphone silence is app permissions being revoked, and once MIUI is updated or reset, the system can automatically block access to the microphone for messengers, social networks, or voice assistants, to fix this:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app that doesn’t have a microphone (like WhatsApp or Zoom).
3. Slip on the Permits. → Microphone.
4. Set the switch to the Allow or Ask position each time.

If you don't have permissions on the list, it means the app didn't ask for permissions. Try reinstalling the program or upgrading it to the latest version. Some Xiaomi firmware has a hidden "Auto-Resolution" option, which automatically blocks access to the microphone for new applications, to turn it off:

Settings → Privacy → Special Permits → Auto Permissions for New Applications → Disable

✅ Access to the microphone for messengers

✅ Permissions for voice assistants (Google, Alice)

✅ Confidentiality settings in MIUI

✅ Auto Permissions for New Applications-->

Attention! On devices with MIUI for Russia (version R), you can activate the "Increased Privacy" mode, which blocks the microphone for all applications except system. To turn it off, go to Settings → Additional → Privacy → Increased Privacy Mode.

2. Resetting the sound and microphone settings

If the resolutions are OK, but the microphone is still not working, the problem may be the wrong audio settings. MIUI has a hidden audio system reset that often helps with these problems.

1. Open the Settings. → Sound and vibration.
2. Scroll down and tap on the Additional settings.
3. Select Reset Sound Settings (on some models, the item may be called Reset Default Settings).
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

After the reboot, check the microphone in the standard Dictaphone app (if preinstalled) or through Google voice search. If the sound appears but some apps still have problems, go back to the first section and check the permissions again.

⚠️ Attention: On devices POCO And some Redmi models, the reset may also return the Dolby Atmos settings to default. If you used custom presets, you'll have to reset them.

3. Checking the physical condition of the microphone

If the software methods did not help, it is necessary to exclude hardware malfunctions. Xiaomi smartphones usually have two or three microphones: the main (located at the bottom of the case, next to the USB-C connector), noise suppression (at the top, next to the front camera) and additional (on some models, for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra, there is a third microphone for recording stereo sound).

To check their performance:

• 🔍 Visual inspection: Light a flashlight into the microphone holes - if dirt, dust or moisture is visible, this can block the sound. gently clean them with a soft brush or compressed air (Do not use toothpicks or metal objects!).
• 🎤 Test each microphone: Use the Phone Tester app (available on Google Play) or enter code ##4636## → Choose Phone Information → Microphone test. Speak alternately to each microphone -- if one of them doesn't respond, the problem is hardware.
• 🔌 Connect headphones to a microphone (for example, Xiaomi Earbuds) – if the sound is transmitted through them, but not through the built-in microphone, either the microphone itself or the plume connecting it to the motherboard is to blame.

Main (bottom of the case)

Noise-suppressing (top)

Both are not working.

I don't know how to determine.-->

⚠️ Warning: If the phone fell into the water or was subjected to a strong vibration (for example, during a bike ride without a cover), the microphone could break away from the board.

4. Update firmware and reset to factory settings

Mik malfunctions are sometimes caused by firmware bugs, especially if you use custom MIUI builds (e.g. xiaomi.eu or MIUI Pro). Official updates often fix these problems.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click Check Updates and wait for the search to be completed.
3. If you have a new version, download it and install it. Importantly, make sure you have more than 50 percent battery power before upgrading and connect to Wi-Fi.

If the update didn’t work or didn’t, try resetting to factory settings.This is a radical method, but it eliminates 90% of software failures.Be sure to back up your data through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset or Mi Cloud before resetting.

Settings → About the phone → Reset settings → Erase all data

Once reset, the phone will reboot and go back out of the box. Check the microphone before data recovery — if it worked, the problem was a conflict of applications or settings. If not, the reasons are hardware.

💡

Resetting to factory settings deletes all data, including photos, contacts and apps, and only use this method if other methods have not worked.

5. Virus and malware check

Malware can block the microphone for spying or advertising, such as some Trojans (Joker, Facestealer) accessing the microphone and then blocking it for legitimate applications.

• 🛡️ Install an antivirus (such as Dr.Web Light or Malwarebytes) and perform a full scan.
• 🔍 Check the list of installed applications in Settings → Remove suspicious programs, especially those that have requested access to the microphone without an obvious reason.
• 📱 Use built-in protection. MIUI: Go to Settings. → Confidentiality → Special permits → Access the microphone and check if there are any unknown applications.

If you find a virus but can't remove it, try booting up in Safe Mode (press the Power button → Long tap on "Stop" → "Safe Mode"). This mode only runs system applications. If the microphone is running, the problem is exactly in third-party software.

💡

Some viruses are disguised as system applications (e.g., "Google Services" or "MIUI Daemon"). Before deleting, check the name on Google - real system applications can not be removed!

6 Hardware methods: what to do if the microphone is broken

If all the software has been tried, but the microphone still doesn't work, there are two options: self-diagnosis (for power users) or contacting a service center. Let's consider both.

Self-checking:

• 🔧 Phone disassembly: If you are confident in your skills, you can carefully disassemble the phone (for example, by the guide for your YouTube model) and check the connection of the microphone plume to the motherboard. Often the contacts oxidize or depart.
• 🔊 Microphone vertebrae: With a multimeter, check the resistance on the microphone contacts. For most Xiaomi models, it should be in the range of 600-1000 Ohms.
• 🛠️ Microphones for Xiaomi are inexpensive (from 200 to 800 rubles depending on the model), you can buy them on AliExpress or in specialized stores (for example, FixPrice for popular models).

Service center: If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to contact professionals. Official service centers Xiaomi is in all major cities. The average cost of diagnosis is 500-1000 rubles, replacing the microphone will cost 1500-3,000 rubles depending on the model.

• Make a backup copy of the data.
• Check whether the warranty will be maintained after repair (if the phone is warranty).
• Check out the reviews about the service center – some “masters” can replace the original microphone with a cheap fake.

7. Alternative solutions: external microphones and workarounds

If you can not unlock the built-in microphone, but you urgently need sound (for example, for calls or streams), you can use external devices:

• 🎧 Headphones with microphone: Any wired or wireless headphones (such as Xiaomi Buds 4 or Redmi AirDots) have a built-in microphone. Connect them via Bluetooth or USB-C.
• 🎤 External microphone: USB-microphones (e.g., Fifine) K669B) can be connected through OTG-cable. MIUI They are automatically determined.
• 📱 Second Device: Use a second phone or tablet as a microphone through apps like WO Mic (requires Wi-Fi or Bluetooth).

An audio interface (such as Focusrite Scarlett) is suitable for streamers or musicians, but it requires additional settings in audio recording applications. In OBS Studio or Streamlabs, you can choose an external microphone as the main source of sound.

⚠️ Note: When using external microphones in calls, make sure that the correct sound source is selected in the application settings (such as WhatsApp or Zoom). → Sound. → Additional settings → The input source can be manually specified which microphone to use.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking the microphone on Xiaomi