How to set up a microphone on Xiaomi Redmi 8T: from basic check to advanced settings

Xiaomi Redmi 8T is a popular smartphone with good specs, but sometimes users face microphone problems: the interlocutor does not hear well, voice recording is distorted or the microphone does not work at all. In most cases, this is solved by software settings, not hardware breakdown. In this article, we will discuss how to check, configure and restore the microphone on Redmi 8T — from basic parameters to hidden MIUI functions.

The Redmi 8T features two microphones: the main one (bottom of the device) and the secondary one (for noise reduction), which depend not only on hardware serviceability, but also on firmware versions, installed applications and even energy saving settings, and we will look at all possible scenarios, from simple verification to resetting and calibration through the engineering menu.

How to check if the microphone works on Xiaomi Redmi 8T

Before you set up the microphone, make sure it works at all. You don't need any special programs to do it, just standard MIUI tools.

The fastest way is:

1. Open the Dictaphone app (if not, install it from Google Play).
2. Press the recording button and say a few phrases.
3. Play the recording. If you hear the voice clearly, the microphone works. If the sound is missing or distorted, the problem needs to be diagnosed.

An alternative method is a test call:

• 📞 Call another phone or use an echo test service (e.g. *100# for some carriers).
• 🔊 If the interlocutor hears you poorly, but the recording in the recorder is normal - the problem may be in the network settings or the speaker's dynamics.
• 🛠️ If there is no sound in the recorder and when calling, the microphone is disabled programmatically or defective.

Basic settings of the microphone in MIUI

Often the problem lies in the wrong settings of the system. On Xiaomi Redmi 8T microphone is controlled through several menus:

1. Sound settings during the call:

- Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Call settings.

Make sure that the Voice Improvement option is enabled (if available).

Turn off the speakerphone mode if it is activated accidentally.

Appendix permits:

The microphone may not work in a particular application (such as WhatsApp or Zoom) due to a lack of permissions.

- Check: Settings → Annexes → Application management → [Select the application] → Permits → Microphone.

If the status is prohibited, change to Allow.

Are the microphone permissions open for the right applications?

Is voice improvement included in call settings?

Is Do Not Disturb Mode Disabled During the Test?

Is the microphone in the recorder checked?

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Energy saving mode:

Aggressive battery settings can turn off the microphone to save charge.

Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Power Saving Mode and turn it off temporarily for the test.

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI The microphone stopped working, try rolling back the firmware or resetting the network settings (Settings) → SIM-map → Reset network settings. In some versions of firmware for Redmi 8T (for example, MIUI 12.5) were bugs with audio drivers.

Advanced diagnostics: engineering menu and tests

If the basic settings didn't help, it's time for a deep diagnosis.The Xiaomi Redmi 8T has a hidden engineering menu where you can test the microphone at the hardware level.

How to open the engineering menu:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the code ##4636##
3. Select Audio testing (or Hardware testing in some versions).
4. Press Mic Test and monitor the signal level (green bars should appear when talking).

Alternative code for the microphone test:

##36446337##

After you enter, you will open the EngineerMode menu, where you need to select Hardware Testing → Audio → Mic Test.

If the microphone shows Fail on the engineering menu, but it is not physically damaged (no water, no impacts), the problem may be in the firmware, in which case the reset to the factory settings or the flashing through the Fastboot will help.

Cleaning and physical checking of the microphone

Often the problem lies in the banal pollution. The microphone on the Redmi 8T is located at the bottom of the case (near the USB-C connector) and an additional one near the upper speaker. Dust, pile or moisture can block the sound holes.

How to clean the microphone:

• 🧹 Use a soft brush (for example, for makeup) or a toothpick with cotton!
• 💨 To remove dust, you can use a canister with compressed air (keep at a distance of 10 cm).
• 🚫 Do not blow with your mouth – moisture from your breath can settle on the microphone membrane.
• 🔍 Check the hole for oxidation (green plaque) - this is a sign of moisture getting into the hole.

If the phone fell or came into contact with water, the microphone could move away from the board, which would require disassembly of the device. On the Redmi 8T, the microphone is soldered to the motherboard, so self-repair without soldering equipment can damage other components.

⚠️ Attention: If the microphone gets worse after cleaning (for example, wheezing), you accidentally damaged the membrane, in which case only changing the microphone at the service center will help. 8T — from 800 to 1500 rubles (for 2026).

Customizing the microphone for specific applications

The microphone may work in some applications (for example, in a standard voice recorder), but not in others (for example, in Instagram or Discord), this is due to individual program settings.

For messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber):

• 📱 Open the application settings and find the Microphone or Audio section.
• 🔄 Enable the option to use the microphone by default (if any).
• 🎤 Check WhatsApp: ⋮ → Settings → Warehouse and data → Permits → Microphone.

For streaming applications (Twitch, YouTube, TikTok):

• 🎥 In the camera or microphone settings, select the sound source: External microphone (if connected) or Built-in microphone.
• 🔊 Turn off noise cancellation in the application – it may conflict with the system.
• 📶 Check if it's blocking. MIUI background activity of the application (in Settings) → Permits → Auto-start).

For games (such as PUBG Mobile or Free Fire):

Go to the game settings and find the Voice Chat section.

Make sure the correct input device is selected.

If the voice is interrupted, turn off the option in the MIUI settings Optimize the game (Settings → Special features → Optimize the game).

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If the app doesn't have microphone sound but it works on the recorder, try reinstalling the app, and sometimes cache files block access to audio devices.

Resetting and flashing

If all previous methods have failed, radical measures remain: reset or flash, and on Redmi 8T, this can be done without data loss (partial reset) or with complete cleaning.

Partial reset (without deleting files):

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Network Reset or Reset all settings (does not delete photos and apps).
3. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

Full reset (Hard Reset):

1. Create a backup of the data (Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset).
2. Turn off the phone, then press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (manage volume and power buttons).
4. After resetting, the phone will restart in factory condition.

If the reset doesn't work, you'll have to flash it over Fastboot or Recovery, and you'll need to:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and Mi Flash Tool.
• 📥 Official firmware for Redmi 8T (download from Xiaomi website).
• 🔧 Knowledge of the procedure for unlocking the bootloader (if it is blocked).

⚠️ Note: Reflashing through unofficial versions MIUI (For example, custom firmware can lead to blocking IMEI or loss of warranty. 8T Only stable official assemblies are recommended (e.g, MIUI 12.5.3 or later).

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Before resetting or flashing, make sure that the problem is not a physical malfunction. If the microphone doesn't work even on the engineering menu, the firmware won't help - repairs are needed.

Frequent questions and decisions