How to completely disable the microphone on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: all ways

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is equipped with four microphones for improved audio capture, but sometimes it becomes necessary to completely deactivate them. The reasons can vary from privacy protection to eliminating background noise during calls. Unlike the new Xiaomi models, where the microphone shutdown feature is put on a separate menu, on the Redmi Note 8 Pro (2019), this process requires knowledge of hidden settings or using workarounds.

In this article, we will look at all the current methods, from standard MIUI tools to engineering menus and third-party utilities, and focus on the method of completely hardware shutting down the microphone through the test menu ##4636##, which works even on custom firmware, and learn how to check whether the microphone is deactivated, and what restrictions each method imposes.

Why you might need to turn off the microphone

At first glance, deactivating the microphone seems like an unnecessary measure, but there are situations where it is justified:

• 🔒 Privacy: Preventing the accidental recording of conversations by apps (such as voice assistants or social media).
• 🎤 Interference with calls: if the microphone catches extraneous noises (wind, echo) and this interferes with the interlocutor.
• 🛠️ Diagnostics of malfunctions: check if the microphone is working at all (for example, after a phone falls).
• 🔋 Charge savings: microphones consume energy in the background (especially when noise cancellation is active).

The Redmi Note 8 Pro uses microphones not only for calls, but also for:

• 📱 Recognition of the commands “OK, Google” or Xiao AI.
• 🎵 Video recordings (even if you turn off the sound in the camera, the microphone can remain active).
• 📊 Data collection for analytics (in some regions) MIUI Using a microphone to improve voice services).

⚠️ Warning: Shutting down the microphone completely will make it impossible:

• Calls (including via WhatsApp, Telegram).
• Voice input in the Gboard or SwiftKey keyboard.
• Use of audio recording applications (e.g. Dolby Atmos)

Method 1: Disconnect the microphone through the notification panel (temporary method)

The fastest, but also the most limited, way is to use the notification bar, which is suitable if you need to temporarily lock the microphone for a particular application (for example, during a call).

Instructions:

1. During an active call (or voice recording), swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Find the microphone icon (usually next to the volume button) and tap it. The icon should cross or change to gray.
3. To turn off the microphone in WhatsApp or Telegram during a voice message, click on the microphone icon in the application interface.

Limitations of the method:

• 🔄 It only works for the duration of the current session (after the call is completed, the microphone is activated again).
• 🚫 Does not turn off the microphone for system processes (e.g. voice assistant).
• 📱 Not available in some versions MIUI below 12.5.

💡

If the microphone icon is not on the panel, try to turn it around completely (swipe down twice). In some firmware, the option is hidden under the "More" button" (⋮).

Method 2: Deactivate the microphone in application settings

If a problem in a particular app (e.g. TikTok or Instagram constantly requests access to the microphone), you can block access for it separately.This will not turn off the microphone completely, but will limit its use.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want to turn off the microphone for (like Facebook).
3. Go to the Permissions section → Microphone.
4. Choose the option to Ask or Ask each time.

For mass blackout:

1. In Settings → Privacy → Application permissions.
2. Put it on the microphone.
3. Disable access for all applications except system applications (e.g. Phone or Camera).

⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as Viber or Zoom) may stop working correctly if they are denied access to the microphone, in which case they will give an error "Microphone not available" when trying to call.

Method 3: Completely shutting down the microphone via the engineering menu (#4636##)

This is the most reliable method for the Redmi Note 8 Pro, as it turns off the microphone at the hardware level, suitable for diagnosis or if you need to guarantee to stop any recordings of sound.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##.
2. In the menu that opens, select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
3. Scroll down to the Audio section.
4. Click on Microphone and select Turn Off (or Disable).
5. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

How to check if the microphone is turned off:

• Try recording a voice message on WhatsApp – an error notification should appear.
• Call another phone and check if the person is listening to your voice.
• Use the microphone test in the Dictaphone application (should be silent).

Limitations of the method:

• 🔧 After restarting the phone, the microphone can be activated again (repeat the procedure).
• 📵 It does not work on some custom firmware (for example, LineageOS).
• 🔊 You may need root access to permanently shut down.

💡

The engineering menu is the only way to turn off the microphone at the hardware level without rooting permissions, but after the MIUI update, the settings may reset.

Method 4: Using applications to lock the microphone

If the standard methods don't work, you can use third-party utilities, which are divided into two types:

1. Permission Blockers (e.g. App Ops) – restrict microphone access for all applications.
2. Fake drivers (e.g. Microphone Blocker) emulate a broken microphone for the system.

Recommended annexes:

Instructions for App Ops:

Install the app from Google Play|Open App Ops and give you access to special features|Find the Microphone section (Microphone)|Disable access to all unnecessary applications|Reboot the phone.-->

⚠️ Note: Applications like Microphone Blocker require root rights and can cause system instability, and they are often labeled as potentially dangerous by antivirus software (due to deep OS interference).

Method 5: Physically shutting down the microphone (for advanced users)

If the software doesn't work, the last thing you can do is physically shut down the microphone, which is true, for example, if you suspect a wiretapping or a microphone is constantly turning on spontaneously.

Options:

• 🔧 Remove contacts: Requires disassembly of the phone and soldering iron. The microphones on the Redmi Note 8 Pro are located: One at the bottom (near the connector). USB-C). Two at the top (near the speaker) One at the back (under the camera).
• 📌 Close the holes: You can tape the microphones with tape or tape (for example, Kapton tape) and it won't shut them off completely, but it will significantly degrade the quality of the recording.
• 🔨 Reflash the phone: Install custom firmware without microphone drivers (for example, LineageOS without a microphone). GAPPS).

Risks of physical disconnection:

• 🚨 Loss of warranty (if the phone is still guaranteed).
• 🔊 Irreversible damage to microphones with careless soldering.
• 📵 There may be problems with sensors (such as a barometer) if they are located nearby.

💡

Before disassembling the phone, take a picture of the location of all the plumes and contacts. For the Redmi Note 8 Pro, you can use the instructions from iFixit.

How to check if the microphone is turned off

Even after using one of the methods, it is worth making sure that the microphone does not work.

1. Call the other phone and see if the other person hears your voice. Use the front camera for a video call (for example, on Skype) - the sound must be absent.
2. Sound recording app: Install a recorder (e.g. Easy Voice Recorder) and start recording and check if the file is still silent.

Engineering menu

• Enter #4636## and go to Audio → Microphone Test.
• If the sound graph doesn't respond to your voice, the microphone is turned off.
• ADB-For advanced teams: adb shell dumpsys media.audio_flinger Look for the line "microphone mute: true"

If the microphone is still working,

• 🔄 Try another method of disconnecting.
• 📱 Check if the settings have reset after the reboot.
• 🔍 Make sure there are no superuser-rights apps that can override settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about turning off the microphone on the Redmi Note 8 Pro