Some iPhone 13 Pro users find that the microphone works perfectly for recording voice memos or videos, but it does not work during phone calls. This issue can be frustrating, especially when it is necessary to make professional or personal calls. It is not necessarily a hardware defect. Several software causes or settings can explain this malfunction.
Why does the microphone work in some apps but not for calls?
The different behavior of the microphone depends on how iOS manages apps and permissions.
Differences between applications
Each application can access the microphone differently:
• The Voice Memos and Camera apps use the main microphone directly to record audio
• Phone calls and FaceTime often use a different audio path, involving the main microphone and sometimes secondary microphones for noise cancellation
Thus, a functional microphone in one app does not guarantee it will automatically work for calls.
Settings and permissions
Certain options can block microphone access during calls:
• Restrictions in Settings > Privacy > Microphone
• Accessibility settings affecting audio processing
• Third-party apps that interfere with calls
A quick check of these settings can resolve the issue.
Steps to resolve the issue
Several solutions can restore normal microphone function for calls.
Check microphone permissions
To ensure apps have the necessary access:
- Go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone
- Check that Phone and FaceTime are allowed
- If necessary, disable and then re-enable these permissions
This step often fixes blocks related to privacy settings.
Restart the iPhone
A simple restart can resolve temporary conflicts between the microphone and the iOS system. It also allows resetting the audio services used by calls.
Check accessories and Bluetooth
Sometimes, the iPhone may redirect sound to Bluetooth accessories or headphones even if they are not connected:
• Check that Bluetooth is turned off or that the device is not connected to an audio device
• Test a call without headphones to check the built-in microphone
This ensures that the iPhone is using the main microphone.
Update iOS
Outdated system versions can cause audio conflicts.
• Go to Settings > General > Software Update
• Install the latest available version
• Restart the iPhone after the update
A recent version often resolves known audio issues.
Reset network and system settings
If the problem persists:
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset
- Choose Reset All Settings
- Personal data is not deleted, but all settings are restored to default
This operation fixes conflicts that may prevent the microphone from working during calls.
Additional checks
Some specific situations can interfere with the microphone:
• Thick cases or screen protectors that block the microphones
• Dirt or dust in the main microphone port
• Third-party recording or sound filtering apps
A gentle cleaning of the microphone and temporarily removing certain apps can help.