Most modern iPhones, like the iPhone 14, have four microphones: two at the bottom, one at the back, and one in the front. Their purpose and placement vary depending on the iPhone model you own. Older models have fewer microphones.
Hi, I’m Devansh. I own an iPhone 13 and have cleaned all microphones on it once. Whether for cleaning or troubleshooting, it’s essential to know the microphones’ locations on your iPhone.
In this article, I’ll show you where microphones are located based on the iPhone model you own. If you want to locate the microphones on your iPhone, keep reading!
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iPhone Microphone Placement
Apple does a great job at making the microphones on the iPhone inconspicuously blend in with the design. There are many reasons for multiple microphones: noise cancellation, recording videos, Beamforming, and Siri. Now, let’s discuss the models.
Newer iPhone Models
If you own an iPhone 6s or an iPhone 14, your iPhone has four microphones:
- One at the bottom grill, by the stereo speaker, and next to the Lightning connector
- One at the front, behind the earpiece grill
- One at the back, beside the camera
Now, let’s take a look at older iPhone models.
Older iPhone Models
If you own an older iPhone, like the 5, 6+, or the SE, you’ll find three microphones in your iPhone:
- One at the bottom grill, by the stereo speaker
- One at the front, behind the earpiece grill
- One at the back, beside the camera
What about even older models? iPhone 4 and 4S have two microphones at the top and the bottom. Going back even further, the first-gen iPhone, the 3G, and the 3GS have only one microphone at the bottom.
Did Your iPhone’s Microphone Stop Working?
If people can’t hear you on calls or your voice memos aren’t being recorded clearly, it’s possible that a microphone on your iPhone has stopped working. Check this article to learn about six possible reasons and fixes.
FAQs
Here are some common questions about microphones on the iPhone.
How to Clean All Microphones on Your iPhone?
The simplest way is to use a dry toothbrush and gently clean the microphone grill. This dislodges any dust or debris without damaging internal components. You can find more info on how to clean your iPhone microphones here.
Is It Possible to Add an External Microphone to Your iPhone?
Yes! If you’re hosting a podcast or live streaming online, you can use an external microphone for your iPhone. You can find some great Apple-recommended microphones on this page, like the Apogee HypeMiC, the Shure MV88+, and the Shure MOTIV MV5.
Conclusion
Most modern iPhones have four microphones: two along the bottom grill, one by the front earpiece, and one beside the back camera. As you go further back to older models, you get to see fewer microphones. If there’s an issue with the microphones in your iPhone, check out this Support page.
Are there any frequent issues you’ve noticed with the microphones in your iPhone? Feel free to let me know in the comments!
