Xiaomi and Redmi are sophisticated engineering devices where every millimeter of interior space is used as efficiently as possible. Users often wonder about the precise location of acoustic elements, especially when faced with the need to clean, repair or simply want to understand why voice is transmitted poorly in certain situations. Understanding the physical architecture of your gadget is the first step to competent operation.
Unlike older push-button phones, where the microphone was single and located at the bottom of the case, modern flagships and public sector employees of the Chinese manufacturer are equipped with a whole noise reduction system. The main microphone is usually hidden under a protective mesh, which is easy to confuse with a speaker or a hole for a stylus. Incorrect cleaning or sealing this hole with a case can cause the interlocutor to stop hearing you.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the anatomy of the recording modules in Mi, Poco and Redmi devices, learn how to distinguish an active microphone from a passive noise reduction hole, and learn how to programmatically diagnose and physically clean without risking damage to delicate components.
Anatomy of the sound system: where to look for the main microphone
Most users mistakenly believe that any hole on the body of a smartphone is designed to output or input sound.In fact, the main microphone in 90% of Xiaomi models is located on the bottom end of the device. It is located in the vicinity of the charging port USB Type-C or Micro-USB. Often this hole is covered with a grid that visually merges with the slot of the speaker.
But the architecture can vary depending on the series. In some models with a frameless design or a unique motherboard layout, engineers could move the main sound input to the back, closer to the main camera module, so that when you talk, your finger doesn't block the hole. So if you see only the speaker and the port on the bottom, carefully examine the area around the camera lens.
It's important to understand the difference between the main and the secondary microphones, which is used to transmit your voice while you're talking and record video from the main camera, and it's the quality that is critical for Viber, Telegram or the standard "bell ringer," and if you're not heard well in these scenarios, the problem is most likely to be in the lower or the rear module.
⚠️ Warning: Never use sharp objects (needles, pins) to clean the main microphone opening.The grid covers the sensitive membrane that is damaged, which will lead to complete loss of sound recording.
Noise Reduction System: Secondary microphones and their role
Modern Xiaomi smartphones feature active noise reduction technology, which requires at least two and sometimes three microphones. If the main one is located at the bottom, the secondary microphone is most often located on the top end of the device, a small, barely noticeable hole that often goes unnoticed by users.
The top microphone is designed to pick up background noises from the street, wind, or voices of others so that the processor can subtract them from your voice, and it works in tandem with the main microphone, and if that microphone is clogged with dust or closed with a finger while you're shooting video, the noise reduction system may not work properly, creating an "aquarium" or intermittent sound.
Some flagship models with spatial audio recording support may have a third microphone, which can be positioned at the back, next to the flash, or integrated into a camera unit, and the optional module allows for surround sound effects when recording video, which is especially noticeable when watching videos on Dolby Atmos-enabled TVs.
- 🎤 Lower microphone: Main voice source, located at the charging port.
- 🔇 Top microphone: Responsible for noise cancellation, located on the end.
- 📹 Rear microphone: Used for video recording and improving sound quality from the rear camera.
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When shooting video on the street, try not to close the upper end of the smartphone with your palm - this blocks the work of the noise reduction system, and the wind will drown out your voice.
Specific location in different series Xiaomi and Redmi
The range of devices is extensive, and engineering solutions vary from series to series. Budget models Redmi Note and Redmi (without the console Note) often use the classic scheme: one microphone at the bottom and one at the top. In these devices, the holes can be just round, without decorative elements, making them vulnerable to dust.
The Xiaomi Mi series (e.g. Mi 9, Mi 10, Mi 11) and the current flagship Xiaomi 13/14 lineup often have more complex geometry.Here, the holes can be disguised as design elements or shifted away from the center for better ergonomics.In foldable devices like the Mi Mix Fold, microphones are located in both halves of the case to ensure open and closed operation.
Special attention should be paid to the Poco F and Black Shark series of gaming smartphones (sub-brands), which often have a side arrangement of additional microphones so that the gamer holding the phone horizontally does not overlap the sound with his hands. Accurate knowledge of the model of your device helps to quickly find the desired element.
Why can the holes be different visually?
Table: Location of microphones in popular models
To quickly find the desired item, use the pivot table, which shows the most common models and the characteristic locations of acoustic inputs.
| Smartphone model | Location of the main | Location of the secondary | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10/11/12 | Lower end (right of USB) | Upper end | The hole is combined with the speaker |
| Xiaomi Mi 11/12/13 | Lower end (left of USB) | Upper end | Shifted for ergonomics |
| Poco X3/X4/X5 | Lower end (centre) | Upper end | Classical scheme |
| Redmi 9/10/11 | Lower end | Upper end | A hole without a net. |
| Xiaomi 13 Pro | Lower end | Upper end + back panel | Three microphones for video |
Note that the table shows the typical values. Depending on the regional version (Global, CN, EEA) and year of release, engineers can make minor changes to the layout. Visual inspection is always a more reliable method than reliance on general specifications.
Diagnostics and checking the microphone performance
If you've identified where the microphone is, but the sound is still missing or distorted, you need to run a software diagnostic, and the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS have a built-in engineering menu that allows you to test all hardware components without installing third-party software.
To enter the test mode, open the Phone app and dial ##6484##. This will open the CIT menu. In the test list, find Main Mic or Top Mic. You can tap on it and record your voice and listen to it. If the recording is clean, it's a problem in the software or a specific application. If you hear cracking or silence, there's a physical defect.
⚠️ Warning: The engineering menu contains many settings. Don't change parameters you don't know, so as not to disrupt the calibration of sensors or the operation of the radio module.
An alternative way to check is to use a voice recorder, record a voice message while holding the phone in different positions, then alternately tape the bottom and top holes with your finger during a new recording, which will help you understand which of the microphones has stopped functioning.
☑️ Checklist for sound check
Problem Solving: Cleaning and Programming
The most common, but common, cause of bad sound is pollution. Dust, pocket pile and skin fat eventually form a dense plug in the microphone grid. Use a soft toothbrush or a dry antistatic brush to clean. Carefully, without much pressure, walk down the hole. You can use a sticky tape (scotch) by putting it on the sticky side to the hole to pull out the dirt.
If physical cleaning didn’t work, check your privacy settings. In modern versions of Android and MIUI, apps must ask permission to access the microphone. Go to Settings → Security & Security → Privacy → Permit Manager → Microphone. Make sure the switch opposite the desired app (like WhatsApp) is active.
It's also worth checking if Do Not Disturb or Quiet Mode is on, which in some customizations may limit sound functions, and if nothing works, you may need to reset or contact a service center to replace the plume.
- 🧹 Mechanical cleaning: A brush or scotch to remove dust.
- ⚙️ Verification of rights: Privacy settings in MIUI.
- 🔄 Reboot: A banal but effective method of resetting audio drivers.
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In 80% of cases, the problem is solved by simply cleaning the microphone mesh from dust and pile accumulated over months of use.