Can you connect your phone to your PC as a mic?

Using your phone as a microphone to connect to your PC can provide an easy and convenient audio input option. With a simple setup, you can route the audio through your phone into your computer for a variety of uses. This allows you to leverage the built-in microphone on your smartphone to record audio directly into your computer’s apps and programs.

Some key benefits of using your phone as a microphone include portability, ease of use, and utilizing the often high-quality microphones in modern smartphones. It’s a handy alternative to buying a separate external microphone for basic audio needs. This can save money while providing flexibility to capture audio on-the-go. Many common computer applications like recording vocals, podcasts, voice overs and more can benefit from accessing a microphone input from your phone.

Compatibility

Most modern smartphones can be used as a microphone when connected to a computer. This includes iPhones running iOS 12 or later and Android phones running Android 9 or later. For iPhones, you’ll need a lightning to USB cable or lightning to USB adapter to connect to your computer’s USB port. For Android phones, you can use the USB cable that came with your phone.

Windows 10 and MacOS 10.14 Mojave or later also have native support for using an iPhone or Android as a microphone over a USB connection. For older versions of Windows and Mac OS, you may need to install additional software drivers. On Windows, this can be done through the Sound settings.

According to Apple Support, you can also use an iPhone as a microphone for FaceTime calls on Android or Windows devices running Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. This requires an iOS 15+ iPhone and a FaceTime link invitation sent from the iPhone [1].

Setup Instructions

Setting up your Android or iPhone to act as a microphone for your computer is a straightforward process. Here are the step-by-step instructions:

1. First, download the required software on your phone. For Android, install the WO Mic app. For iPhone, install the EZ Mic app.
2. On your computer, install the corresponding WO Mic or EZ Mic software.
3. Connect your phone and computer to the same WiFi network.
4. Open the microphone app on your phone and tap start.
5. On your computer, select your phone as the microphone input in your recording software or video chat application.
6. Adjust the microphone volume on your phone for the ideal level.
7. Test that your phone is registering as a microphone by recording audio or doing a voice chat.
8. Make any needed adjustments to volume levels for optimal quality.

Once fully configured, your Android or iPhone will function as a microphone for your computer. Just keep the app open and connected whenever you want to use your phone as a mic.

Using as a Microphone

Once you have your phone connected to your computer as a microphone, there are many different ways you can utilize it. Here are some of the most common uses:

Making Voice and Video Calls: Apps like Skype, Zoom, Google Meet, and others allow you to select your phone’s mic as the input device for calls. This turns your phone into a webcam with an integrated mic for crystal clear call audio.

Recording Audio: You can record audio using your phone mic in any program that accepts mic input, like Audacity or Garageband. This allows you to capture audio for podcasts, music recordings, voiceovers and more. While quality may not match a professional studio mic, it’s a handy option for casual recordings.

Live Streaming: When live streaming on platforms like Twitch, Youtube, or Facebook Live, you can use your phone as the audio source to narrate and react to your stream. Though quality depends on your specific phone model, it generally provides clear voice pickup for basic streaming needs.

Compared to a dedicated USB or XLR microphone, your phone mic offers convenience by integrating directly with the device you already have with you. However, standalone mics typically provide superior sound quality, noise cancellation, and more control options. Still, in a pinch, your phone can deliver decent mic performance for calls and recordings when an external mic is unavailable.

Tips for Best Quality

To get the best audio quality when using your phone as a microphone, here are some tips:

Position the phone’s microphone close to your mouth, but not so close that you cause pops and distortion. An optimal distance is around 6 inches away.

Use a phone tripod or mount to hold the phone steadily. This prevents handling noise and allows you to maintain a constant distance from the mic.

Consider connecting an external microphone like the Shure MV88 or Rode VideoMic Me to improve audio quality and control background noise. Make sure the mic is compatible with your phone model.

Record in a quiet location to minimize background noise. If recording outdoors, use a windscreen to reduce wind noise.

Adjust phone settings like Do Not Disturb mode to disable notifications and prevent interruptions.

Use a recording app like GarageBand that allows monitoring input levels. Adjust levels so your voice peaks around -12 dB to -6 dB.

Record a short test clip first to check levels before recording final takes. Make small distance and level adjustments until achieving optimal quality.

“When recording into your phone, use an app that records WAV files, position the phone’s microphone 6 inches away, and monitor levels closely.” (Source)

Limitations

Using your phone as a microphone has some inherent hardware limitations that can affect audio quality and performance. One key issue is background noise. The microphones on smartphones are not as effective at isolating the desired audio source compared to dedicated external mics. As a result, ambient noise from the surrounding environment often gets picked up in recordings (Source). Things like air conditioning, computer fans, and general room echo can degrade your audio.

Another limitation is maximum volume. Smartphone mics often begin clipping and distorting at higher volumes because they cannot handle the loudness levels. So you may be limited in how loud of a sound source you can accurately capture (Source). The small microphone hardware in phones is designed to capture close conversational speech, not loud instruments or amplified sources.

Additionally, the frequency response range of phone microphones tends to be more limited than professional external mics. They may lack the ability to pick up very low bass tones or crisp high treble sounds (Source). So certain nuances in audio quality may be lost when using a phone as your mic.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues like echo, static, or low volume when using your phone as a microphone on your PC, there are some steps you can try to resolve them:

Make sure the microphone access is enabled in your Windows privacy settings. Go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone and confirm the “Allow apps to access your microphone” option is turned on (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/fix-microphone-problems-5f230348-106d-bfa4-1db5-336f35576011).

Check for driver issues. Go to Device Manager, find the audio driver under Sound, video and game controllers, right-click it and select Uninstall device. Restart your computer and Windows will reinstall the driver (https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/problem-with-your-phone-app-mic-not-work/291511f9-f47e-491c-be93-185261643880).

Make sure other apps aren’t taking exclusive control of the mic. Close out any other programs using the mic like Skype, Zoom or Teams.

Adjust your phone’s mic volume. Use the volume buttons on your phone or mic settings in the phone app to boost the input volume.

Check for debris blocking the phone mic and clean out the port if necessary.

Update to the latest drivers and OS versions on both devices for compatibility.

As a last resort, you can try replacing or repairing the phone mic if hardware damage is causing persistent issues.

Alternatives to Using Your Phone as a Microphone

While using your phone as a microphone for your computer can be convenient, dedicated microphones may provide better audio quality and a superior user experience for certain applications. Here are some alternatives to consider:

USB Microphones

For recording podcasts, voiceovers, or music, a USB microphone designed for studio-quality sound can be a worthwhile investment. These mics connect directly to your computer via USB, eliminating the need for an audio interface. Popular options include the Blue Yeti, Razer Seiren, and Audio-Technica AT2020USB+. Choose a cardioid, bidirectional, or stereo mic depending on your needs.

Wireless Microphones

If you want more flexibility and to move around while recording, consider a wireless lapel mic or handheld mic. These connect to your computer via a Bluetooth or WiFi connection. Look for options like the Shure MV7, Rode Wireless Go II, or Sony UWP-D wireless mic systems. Ideal for podcasting, vlogging, voiceovers, and other applications.

XLR Microphones

For professional studios, XLR mics provide the highest quality and customization, but require an external audio interface. Top choices are the Shure SM7B, Neumann TLM 102, and Electro-Voice RE20. While more expensive, XLR mics are an investment for serious recording and broadcast purposes.

Ultimately the best microphone depends on your budget, intended use, and recording environment. Evaluating standalone mics can ensure you get the right tool for the job versus relying on your phone.

Future Outlook

Phone microphones will continue improving in the future with advanced noise cancellation technology. Phone manufacturers are developing more sophisticated algorithms and microphone arrays to filter out background noise during calls and recordings. For example, the Murena 2 Kickstarter smartphone has a microphone array with beamforming capabilities for directed audio pickup (Jay Peters, The Verge).

Dual microphone designs are becoming more common on phones to enable advanced noise cancellation. The microphones work together to isolate the user’s voice from ambient sounds. Some phones like the Sennheiser MKE 400 shotgun mic have multiple pickup patterns to adapt to different recording conditions (The Verge).

With improving noise cancellation and audio processing, phones will be able to capture higher quality recordings in louder environments. This will lead to more seamless use of phones as microphones in a variety of settings from interviews to speeches.

Conclusion

Using your phone as a microphone connected to your PC can be a convenient and cost-effective option for many situations. It provides an easy way to record audio or use voice chat without purchasing a dedicated microphone.

To get the best performance when using your phone as a mic, make sure to get a good headset or adapter cable to connect to your PC. Position the phone’s microphone close to your mouth and avoid background noise. You may need to adjust settings in your computer’s sound control panel or recording software for optimal quality.

While phone microphones have limitations in sound quality compared to professional mics, they can produce decent results for casual recording or conversations. With the right setup and techniques, your phone can be a handy personal microphone for your computer.