AirPods have become the obvious choice for many people when shopping for wireless headphones. It’s not hard to see why, they’re user-friendly and have great sound quality.
If you are an owner of a pair of AirPods, you’ve probably, at some point, wondered where the microphone is located.
You might use AirPods for a great many things; whether that be making calls, using Siri, or listening to music. Most of these options are going to use your microphone. So, where exactly is it?
Why Do I Need Microphones On AirPods?
The microphone on AirPods is important for a few reasons. The microphone is needed if you are using them for making calls, as many people do.
It’s also necessary if you want to use Siri or a similar program while they’re in operation – the AirPods automatically override your phone’s microphone, so it can’t hear you if the microphone isn’t working properly.
And lastly, if you do voice or video calls using an app like Zoom, Instagram, or Messenger the microphone will need to be working to be able to have a conversation.
Is there Only One Microphone On AirPods?
This comes as a surprise to a lot of people, but there are actually four microphones in a pair of AirPods, two on each one. There is one located on the base of the stem of each earpiece, and one located within the earpiece itself.
The microphone at the base is the one you’re more likely to be concerned with, as it is the one used mainly for making calls or other activities. It can record your voice as long as it’s pointed toward your mouth.
Where Are The Microphones On AirPods?
If you own a pair of AirPods, then you’ve probably seen the microphone already, even if you might not have realized what it was.
The small black ring at the base of both your AirPods is a microphone, and it’s what you’ll use whenever you talk with your AirPods in.
As long as the base is pointed towards your mouth, they should work properly and produce a good sound on the other end.
Additionally, If you have the AirPods Pro or AirPods past the 3rd generation with the latest software, There is also a second microphone that’s inside the earpiece.
This microphone supports the other and helps to reduce background noise and improve the clarity of your voice during a call. Since it’s actually located inside the earpiece, you won’t be able to see it.
This means that with every pair of AirPods, there are 4 microphones. The active noise cancellation works by using the two microphones to reduce surrounding noise as much as possible.
Despite some urban myths, noise cancellation is not worse for your ears and will bring greater clarity to calls and help you avoid any noisy distractions.
Troubleshooting AirPod Microphone Issues
You may be reading this article because you’re having difficulties using your microphone or getting it to work, if this is the case, you may have an issue with your AirPods that is stopping them from working correctly.
This issue might be low output levels that make you sound really quiet to anyone on the other side of your call or a spotty connection. Or you may just struggle to sync your AirPod microphones to your device.
A lot of audio problems can be fixed by disconnecting and resetting your AirPods. If this doesn’t work, there are a few more possible causes of the issue, many of which are small and can be solved from your home or office.
Here are some possible fixes for any issues you’re experiencing with your AirPods.
Put your AirPods in the charging case to disconnect them. Now, take out your phone and delete them from remembered Bluetooth devices.
Take out the AirPods again and pair them with your phone by pressing the ‘Setup’ button on the case. Remember to check that the Bluetooth is on your phone and that your it’s ready to connect.
If this doesn’t work, you can check on your phone to see what is set as the primary microphone. Open the Bluetooth options on your phone through the settings.
On iPhones, you can just press the info next to the registry of your Airpods and turn on the option that reads “Automatically switch AirPods”. This forces your phone to use the AirPods microphones whenever they’re switched on and in use.
Sometimes, your AirPods microphone might not work because your AirPods need an update. You can prompt a software update by leaving your AirPods charging in their case while connected and close to your phone.
You should leave it like this for a minimum of 30 minutes. You should get a notification if the update was successful.
Your iPhone could be the cause of the issue here, as it will sometimes experience connectivity issues if left powered on for a very long time.
Try switching your iPhone off for a bit, then powering it back on again to check if that has solved the problem.
Lastly, there can be a build-up of dirt, earwax, and other gunk inside the microphone receiver that muffles sounds and can cause issues.
To solve this, simply get a cotton swab or something similar to clean out as much of the dirt as possible, and see if you get clearer quality afterward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Can People Sometimes Not Hear Me Talking On AirPods?
This likely means you are experiencing some issue with the connectivity of your iPhone or AirPods, or that there is damage to the AirPods.
Check to see that Bluetooth is connected and paired, and try all of the steps listed above. If people still can’t hear you, take it to an Apple store technician to identify the problem.
Which AirPod Has The Microphone?
You’ll probably be amazed to know that both AirPods actually have two microphones!
One earpiece for an AirPod has a microphone at its base, and then another one placed inside where you can’t see it, to minimize background noise.
So hopefully now you know where the microphone on your AirPods is.
Most people are always surprised to find out that each earpiece has not one, but two microphones! Not only that, but they have different purposes.
From a young age, I have always had a big interest in technology, and this blog is an extension of that interest. Through this blog, I hope to provide others with all of the information they need regarding tech options to consider, and things such as compatibility. Some of the different items I will be discussing include headphones, smartwatches, and how to fix common issues.
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