How do I select the mic input on my Android phone?

Selecting the proper microphone input on your Android phone is crucial for ensuring good call and audio recording quality. As explained in this Dxomark article, high quality audio is becoming increasingly important for smartphone users whether they are recording videos, capturing audio memos, or simply making phone calls. Using the device’s primary microphone offers the best audio pickup and noise cancelling so that your voice comes through loud and clear.

Check Phone Settings

To select the microphone input on your Android phone, the first place to check is in your phone’s Settings. Specifically, you’ll want to go to the Sound & vibration or Audio settings. There, look for options under “Advanced” or “Manage sound devices” ^[1].

Here, you can select between different microphone inputs like the handset mic, headset mic, Bluetooth mic, and more. Tap on the mic you want to use to set it as the default input. The selected microphone will then be used automatically whenever an app tries to access your mic.

If you don’t see separate microphone options, your phone may just have a single built-in microphone that all apps use by default. In that case, you likely won’t find mic selection settings under Sound.

During Phone Calls

Android phones will automatically switch between different microphones during a phone call depending on what audio devices are connected. According to Google Support, if you are on a phone call and have not connected any external audio devices, tapping the Speaker button will switch the audio between the built-in earpiece speaker and speakerphone.

If you have a wired headset connected, the phone will automatically switch to using the headset’s microphone when you answer or make calls. Similarly if you have wireless Bluetooth headphones connected, the phone will route call audio through the Bluetooth headset automatically. There is no setting to manually select which microphone is used during calls.

Some users on Reddit have reported that it’s not possible to choose between microphones on Android phones during calls. The phone will automatically switch between available mics and does not provide users a way to choose.

For Recording Apps

Many Android recording apps allow you to manually select which microphone to use within the app settings. When starting a recording, first go into the app settings and look for an “Audio Source” or “Microphone” option. Here you can often switch between using the phone’s built-in microphone or an external microphone. Selecting the external microphone prior to recording ensures high quality audio is captured.

Some apps like Cinema FV-5’s camera have an onscreen button to easily switch microphones when starting a video. For video recording apps that lack manual mic selection, using an external microphone as the phone’s default input is recommended for best quality. Just be aware that the built-in mic may still be used for phone calls after setting a new default.

Identify Default Mic

If you need to determine the default microphone your Android phone is using for recording audio or phone calls, the easiest way is to make a few test recordings and listen closely. Here are the steps:

Open any audio recording app that lets you select different microphones (e.g. Voice Recorder app).

Make a short test recording using the default microphone selected by the app. Say a few words and stop the recording.
Now switch to the other microphone option available (if there are two mics, like bottom mic or top/ rear mic). Make another test recording saying the same phrase.
Listen to both recordings back-to-back with headphones. The recording that sounds closer and clearer with less background noise is from the default mic selected by your phone.

By checking the sound quality difference this way, you will be able to clearly tell which microphone your Android phone uses by default when recording audio or during calls.

Change Default Mic

To change the default microphone on an Android device:

Open the Settings app

Tap Sound & vibration or Sound
Select Advanced or Other sound options
Tap on Default input device

Select your preferred microphone from the list

This will set the microphone you selected as the default input for phone calls, voice recordings, and other audio apps. Some apps may override this setting, but most will use the system default microphone set here.

If you want to switch between microphones regularly, consider downloading an app like Lesser Audio Switch to quickly toggle between inputs.

Mic Not Working?

If your Android phone’s microphone is not working properly, there are a few things you can check:

Make sure there is no obstruction over the microphone hole. Phone cases, covers, screen protectors or debris blocking the mic can prevent it from working properly. Carefully remove any case or cover and clear away any dust or dirt blocking the hole.
Check for damage to the microphone. Drops, spills or wear and tear over time could cause the microphone to malfunction. Visually inspect the phone and microphone port for any cracks, dents or other signs of damage.

Test the microphone with different apps and during calls. An incompatible or problematic app could be preventing the mic from working properly. Try making voice recordings with different apps or making calls to isolate the issue.
Consider hardware compatibility issues. Using off-brand wired headsets or microphones not properly configured through the OS could prevent the mic from functioning. Use microphone accessories designed for your specific Android model.

If the microphone still fails after checking for obstructions, damage and compatibility issues, the phone hardware itself may need professional repair or replacement.

Use External Mics

Most Android phones have built-in mics, but using external mics can capture higher quality audio. External mics typically provide better sensitivity, noise reduction, and more control over audio capture. There are many external mics optimized for Android devices, from lavalier and shotgun mics to handheld recorders and USB condenser mics.

Plugging in an external mic routes audio input directly into the mic instead of using the phone’s lower quality built-in mic. This avoids interference and echo, captures clearer sound, and enables positioning the mic properly depending on the situation (such as lavalier mic for phone calls or interviews). Look for mics with a 3.5mm TRRS jack to plug into your Android phone’s headset port if you want a wired connection. Wireless options like Bluetooth transmit audio over short distances without cables too.

Once connected, open your recording app or phone call to switch input to the external mic. Adjust audio levels and positioning as needed. Using professional external mics vastly improves audio quality compared to phone mics in challenging environments like concerts or crowded public spaces.

Conclusion

Selecting the microphone input on your Android phone is easy once you know where to look. The key steps are:

Check your phone’s settings to see microphone options and set defaults
During calls, choose between using phone mic, wired headset mic, Bluetooth mic

Within individual recording apps, select desired microphone as input
Identify which microphone is set as default across all apps
Change the system-wide default microphone if needed

Troubleshoot mic issues by inspecting for dust/debris, checking app permissions, reconnecting devices
Use external mics like wired headsets or Bluetooth for flexibility

Following these basic steps will ensure you can route audio properly through your desired microphone.

References

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