How to Change and Check the Microphone Input on Android

Most Android versions have no single system-wide microphone selector. The phone picks an input device automatically based on what is connected, and individual apps can request a specific source. To change the microphone input on Android, you connect the accessory you want, choose the right mode or setting in the app, and then confirm with a test recording that the expected mic is in use.

Before you start

• Decide which input device you want: the phone's built-in microphone, a wired headset, a USB microphone or adapter, or a Bluetooth headset.
• Audio routing happens locally on the phone and needs no account or online service. The app you record or call with may still upload audio, so check that app's own privacy and storage terms rather than assuming anything.
• Make sure the app has microphone permission. You can find this on the app's info page under its permissions.
• On Android 12 and later, confirm that the microphone access toggle in Quick Settings is turned on. When it is off, apps receive silence.
• Setting names and locations vary by manufacturer and Android version, so the steps below describe what to look for rather than exact menu paths.

Step-by-step instructions

• 1. Connect the microphone. Plug a wired headset into the headphone jack or a USB-C audio adapter, or connect a USB microphone directly. Older ports may need an OTG adapter. Android normally switches the input to a newly connected wired or USB microphone automatically.
• 2. For a Bluetooth headset, pair it in Bluetooth settings first. Then open that device's settings, usually through a gear or info icon next to its name, and make sure the profile for phone calls or call audio is enabled. That profile carries the microphone signal.
• 3. Open the app you will use and look for an input, audio source or microphone option. Some voice recorder, camera and video call apps offer one, but many do not.
• 4. During a call, use the in-call audio or speaker button to choose between the phone, the speakerphone and a Bluetooth device. This choice usually sets both the output device and the input device for the call.
• 5. To revert, disconnect the accessory or turn off its call audio profile. Android then returns to the built-in microphone, so none of these changes is permanent.

Bluetooth microphones behave differently from wired ones. Many phones use a Bluetooth headset's mic mainly for calls and voice apps. Ordinary recording apps may keep using the phone's own microphone even while audio plays through the headset.

Check the output

• Make a short test recording in the app you plan to use, then play it back on headphones.
• To identify the active mic, speak close to the external microphone, then close to the phone. The louder and clearer clip shows which input was recording.
• If the app shows an input level meter, keep peaks below the maximum. Constant peaks at the top cause clipping and distortion.
• The privacy indicator on Android 12 and later shows that an app is using the microphone. It does not show which microphone that is.
• Expect lower quality from Bluetooth call audio than from wired or USB microphones, because the call profile typically uses a reduced sample rate. The recording app also determines the sample rate and format, whatever the microphone supports.

Common problems and next steps

• The app still uses the built-in mic: the app may not support external inputs. Connect the accessory before opening the app, or fully close and reopen it.
• The Bluetooth mic only works in calls: this is common behavior. For recordings, use a wired or USB microphone, or an app that supports Bluetooth input.
• The USB microphone is not detected: try another cable or adapter that carries data, not just power. On many devices, also check that the developer option for disabling USB audio routing is not turned on.
• The recording is silent: check the app's microphone permission and the Quick Settings microphone toggle. Also close other apps that may be holding the microphone.
• There is too much background noise: move the microphone closer to your mouth, and try the app's noise suppression setting if it has one.