You have just bought an iPhone 6 and are trying to call a friend but they say they cannot hear you. Then you realize the problem might be caused by your microphone. In most cases, many people usually opt to take their iPhones to a repair shop or replacement without considering that the problem could be a software issue rather than a hardware issue. This guide will help you diagnose and fix the iPhone 6 microphone not working problem.
Why isn’t my iPhone 6 microphone not working?
There are a couple of reasons why your microphone may not be working. It may be because of a setting that restricts a certain app from using your microphone or dirt that filled up the microphone itself. Another possible reason could be hardware damage. Since it is not easy to tell from the start, we will start with the easiest diagnosis.
Read Also: Lolly is a 3D portable microphone for the iPhone. Here is what it looks like!
How do I turn on the microphone on my iPhone 6?
If your microphone isn’t working, here are several ways you can turn it on or diagnose it issues. We have also provided fixes for any possible problem.
Remove the iPhone case
You could be using a case that is not designed for your iPhone and in the process, you will be blocking your microphone. Remove the case and test if your microphone is working.
Turn on the microphone for texting on your iPhone
If you want to enable dictation while texting and your microphone isn’t working, then you need to ensure it is on. But how do you turn on the microphone for texting on iPhone 6? Well, follow these steps:
- Launch the Settings App
- Go to General > Keyboard
- Scroll down to Enable Dictation and toggle it to ON
Your microphone should now be back on your iPhone’s keyboard and the dictation function will resume working.
Check Microphone app settings
Your microphone settings might be blocking or restricting microphone access to other installed Apps on your phone. To check this, go to;
- Open Settings
- Go to Privacy settings
- Open Microphone
Turn all settings on for all apps to access your mic.
Change Noise Cancellation settings
If the people you’re calling can’t hear you, it could be an issue with the noise cancellation settings. Consider turning off background noises that can spoil your call quality and microphone performance by using the following steps:
- Go to settings
- Open General
- Then Accessibility
- Under Phone voice cancellation settings, toggle to turn it off
Clean your iPhone’s Microphone
According to some users, when the microphone is not working iPhone 6 or any other version for that matter, it could be blocked by dust or chaff. This is because an iPhone’s microphone can easily collect dust from the environment. If this is the issue, there are several ways for those wondering how to clean the iPhone 6 microphone. The simplest is to blow off the dust from the microphone.
Your iPhone is still ‘hooked’ on the headphone
Check your headphone jack in case the phone is switched to the headphone mode. Just try to call a friend or your other phone and adjust the volume. If the iPhone shows a headphone icon then you need to concentrate your efforts to clean up the headphone jack. You can also insert the headphone and test the microphone to see if it is the internal microphone faulty. Sometimes inserting then removing the headphone solved the problem.
You’re still connected to Bluetooth
Have you been using your Bluetooth headset for hands-free communication? If so, your iPhone might still be connected and that’s why your microphone isn’t working. This is one of the most common reasons for when the iPhone 6 microphone is not working on calls. Make sure to disable Bluetooth first if this is the case before you test out your microphone.
Restart your iPhone
A software hitch may have occurred when using your iPhone and it could have hindered the performance of your microphone. It is one of the reasons why your iPhone 6 microphone may be only working on speaker.
In this case, just hold the Power + Volume Down button to power off your device if you are on iPhone 6 or earlier devices. If you are on iPhone X press and hold the Side button and either the Volume Up or Volume Down button for a few seconds. On your screen, swipe the power icon to the right to turn off your iPhone. To restart, press and hold the Power button until you see an Apple logo.
Update your iOS version
You might be amazed how many problems can be solved by updating to the latest version of iOS. The reason behind this is that when most apps have been updated to support the latest versions with support for the newly released iOS, then compatibility issues might arise. The good thing is that they can be solved by updating.
Contact Apple Support
Get in touch with Apple support to determine if this is a problem with your device or a bug affecting other iPhone’s too. If your iPhone is new or under warranty, then it can be replaced.
Replace your microphone
Visit the nearby Apple repair center to get your iPhone 6 microphone replacement done. Just make sure to carry all the essential documents to indicate that the iPhone belongs to you. The repair might cost you a little. On the other hand, if you are familiar with replacement parts you can get a microphone replacement kit and replace it by yourself. Remember that you will be voiding any warranty by doing the replacement by yourself.
Finally
Now that you’ve repaired your microphone, it’s time to check if it is working. Start by toggling Siri when you press the Home Button in iPhone 8 or earlier or the power on button in iPhone X. if your iPhone 6 microphone is not working with Siri, then make sure to get in touch with Apple Support. You can also call a friend or engage in FaceTime call. Another way is to record a video or use voice recording apps and listen to the quality of the audio produced by the microphone.
Alex is an IT technician who shares his experiences with Apple devices occasionally. He has a collection of Apple devices (from iPhone 4) and has recently started trying out Android.
IG: @I M_Alex