How can I use my Android phone as a microphone for another phone?

Using your Android phone as a microphone for another phone can be very useful in a variety of situations. The main goal is to turn your Android into a wireless microphone that can transmit high-quality audio to another phone. This allows you to record audio remotely, conduct interviews wirelessly, live stream with better sound, and more.

Some common use cases and benefits include:

Recording video on one phone while using your Android as a wireless mic for better audio quality.

Live streaming an event using your Android as the audio source for clear sound.
Doing remote interviews or podcasts by using your Android as the microphone while the interviewee uses their phone.
Improving audio quality for phone calls by using your Android to pick up your voice.

Recording audio across a distance by placing your Android closer to the sound source.

Using your Android phone as a wireless mic opens up many possibilities for remote audio recording, streaming, and interviews with flexibility and improved audio quality.

What You’ll Need

The required hardware for using an Android phone as a microphone for another phone includes:

2 phones – one Android phone and one other phone (iPhone, Android, etc.) that will be receiving the audio input
Audio cable/connector – Usually a 3.5mm aux cable to connect the Android phone headphone jack to the audio input of the other phone. Other options are lightning to USB cables or USB-C cables depending on your devices.

Optional items that can be useful:

Tripod – To mount and position the Android phone as a stationary mic.
Mic stand – To hold the Android phone in place and adjust positioning.
Headphones – For monitoring the audio input from the Android mic phone.

Connecting the Phones

To use an Android phone as a microphone for another phone, you’ll need to physically connect the two devices together using an audio cable or adapter. Here are the steps:

Get an audio cable or adapter that has a 3.5mm TRRS connector on one end and a 3.5mm TRS connector on the other end. The TRRS end will plug into your Android phone, while the TRS end will plug into the other phone.
On your Android phone, plug the TRRS end of the cable into your phone’s headphone jack. Make sure it’s fully inserted.

On the other phone, plug the TRS end of the cable into the headphone jack. Push it all the way in.
If your Android phone doesn’t have a headphone jack, you’ll need a USB-C to 3.5mm headphone adapter. Plug this into your phone, then connect the audio cable to the adapter.

This simple wired connection now allows audio and microphone input to pass between the two phones. Just make sure to adjust the sound and recording settings on both devices.

Enabling Microphone Access

To enable microphone access on your Android phone, you will need to adjust the permissions in your phone’s settings. Here are the steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your Android phone.

2. Tap on “Privacy” or “Permissions.” This may be under “Security & Privacy” or “Apps & Notifications” on some Android versions.

3. Look for the “Microphone” permission.

4. Toggle the switch next to “Microphone” on to allow access.

If it is already on, tap on “Microphone” and make sure that any apps you want to use the microphone with have the permission turned on.

You can also go into individual app settings to manage microphone access. Open the Settings app, go to “Apps,” select the app, tap “Permissions,” and turn the “Microphone” permission on or off as needed.

Some apps like Chrome may ask for microphone access when you first try to use a voice feature. Make sure to allow access when prompted.

Now any apps that have microphone access enabled can use your Android phone’s microphone when needed, like for calls, voice assistants, or recording audio.[1]

Using a Third-Party App

One of the easiest ways to turn your Android phone into a microphone for another device is by using a third-party app. Popular options include WO Mic, which allows you to use your phone as a microphone for your computer or other phone. Here are some of the pros and cons of using a dedicated third-party app:

Pros:

Specialized apps are designed specifically for this microphone functionality.
Simple to set up with minimal configurations needed.
Often offer advanced settings to customize audio quality, bitrate, etc.

Can work across platforms, letting Android mic work with iOS or computers.

Cons:

Need to download and install a separate app rather than using built-in tools.

May need to keep the app open and running in the background.
Some apps have ads or paid subscription options for full functionality.
Apps may collect analytics data or require account sign-ups.

Overall, a dedicated third-party microphone app provides the simplest way to get your Android working as a microphone. Apps like WO Mic require minimal setup and provide cross-platform functionality. Just be aware of potential downsides like ads or battery drain from running an extra app.

Adjusting Audio Settings

To get the best audio quality when using an Android phone as a microphone for another device, you may need to adjust the audio settings on both phones. Here are some tips for optimizing the audio settings:

On the Android mic phone, go into your device’s Settings > Sound and adjust the media volume to around 80% for a good signal level. You can also go into Advanced or Additional Sound Settings to adjust the mic sensitivity – turn it up slightly if the volume is too low. According to WikiHow, slightly increasing the “Audio Gain” slider can help boost the microphone volume if needed.

On the receiving iPhone, go into Settings > Sound and adjust the volume to a comfortable level. You may need to turn it up higher than usual since the audio is coming from an external mic. Under Input, select the appropriate input source that the Android mic is connected to. You can also tap Microphone and adjust the input volume on the slider.

Try doing some test recordings and playback to fine-tune the levels on both devices. Adjust the output volume on the Android as well as the input volume on the iPhone until you get a clear signal without any distortion or echo. Pay attention to the sampling rate and audio quality settings to transmit audio as cleanly as possible.

Testing and Usage Tips

Once you have everything connected, here are some tips for testing the setup and getting the highest quality audio:

Position the phones close together, ideally no more than 1-2 feet apart. The closer the better in order to minimize interference and background noise pickup.

Do test recordings in different positions to find the optimal placement. Sometimes moving the devices just a few inches can make a difference.

Reduce background noise as much as possible. Turn off music, TVs, fans, etc. Record in a quiet room with soft surfaces that don’t echo a lot.

Make sure both phones are set to minimal volume to avoid feedback. Start low and increase as needed.

Speak directly into your main phone’s microphone from close range, about 6 inches away.

Listen to test recordings and make adjustments. Check the volume and clarity. Move the phones closer together if needed.

Consider using an external microphone for your main phone to further improve audio quality.

Restart your devices if the connection is wonky. Bluetooth can be finicky so resetting can help.

With testing and optimal positioning, you can achieve excellent audio using two Android phones together.

Using With Other Devices

In addition to using your Android phone as a microphone for another phone, you can also use it as a microphone for other devices like your computer. This allows you to leverage the typically higher quality microphone in your smartphone for applications on your PC or Mac.

To use your Android phone as a microphone on your computer, you will need some additional software. One popular option is an app called WO Mic. This app allows you to connect your smartphone to your computer via USB, Bluetooth, or WiFi. It then transmits the audio from your phone’s microphone to your computer.

Once installed on both devices, you can select your Android phone as the microphone input in any application on your computer that accepts microphone input. This includes apps like Skype, Discord, Zoom, OBS, and more. WO Mic has versions for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.

Other similar apps like Rode Connect and EpocCam also allow using your phone as a wireless microphone for your computer. Some additional hardware like a capture card may be required depending on your connection method.

With the right app and setup, you can leverage your Android phone to provide high-quality audio input on your computer for recordings, livestreams, conferences, and more.

Troubleshooting Issues

Using your Android phone as a microphone for another device can sometimes cause audio issues like echo, static, or disconnects. Here are some common problems and solutions:

Fixing Echo

If you hear an echo when using your Android mic, it’s usually caused by audio feedback between the two devices. Try using headphones on the device receiving the audio to avoid picking up output audio from its speakers. Also enable noise cancellation on the Android phone if available. Finally, try adjusting the distance between the phones – moving them farther apart can reduce echo in some cases.

Solving Static or Distorted Audio

Static, crackling, or distorted audio could mean there’s interference between the devices. Try adjusting Bluetooth settings like the audio quality or changing the WiFi channel if connecting over WiFi. Also check for obstacles or interference sources between the phones. Move closer together or to a different room. Restarting both devices can help clear any software issues causing static.

Preventing Disconnections

If the audio cuts out or the connection drops between your Android mic and receiving device, poor signal strength is likely the issue. Move the phones closer together with fewer obstacles in between. Disconnections can also happen if the phone locks or sleeps, so disable sleep and auto-lock temporarily. Finally, check your operating system and apps are updated on both devices.

Conclusion

Using your Android phone as a microphone for another device can be extremely useful in many situations. It provides a way to improve audio quality and take advantage of your Android’s microphone capabilities even when using a different device.

The key steps are to connect the two devices either via cable or Bluetooth, enable microphone permissions on the Android phone, and route its microphone input to the other device using a calling or voice recording app. Adjusting audio settings like gain levels may help optimize the sound quality.

With some creativity, you could also use your Android as a mic for streaming, podcasting, voice assistants, and more. The built-in mics on most Android phones are quite decent, making this a budget-friendly way to upgrade your audio setup.

While there may be some troubleshooting required depending on your devices, overall using your Android as an external mic can unlock new creative potential and improve audio captures with other phones, tablets, or computers.