Where are your iPhone Microphones located? All models explained

You may want to know the locations of the microphones on your iPhone. Your iPhone has several built-in microphones. Knowing where the microphones are located on your device can be very useful for many troubleshooting purposes. For example, if the microphones are not working properly, you may need to locate them on your iPhone to clean any debris from the openings to fix your problems. This guide can be important because microphone location can vary by iPhone model.

Your device’s microphones do a lot of important functions. For example, they are used for noise canceling or recording videos in stereo. Without functioning microphones, you will not be able to make phone calls or FaceTime calls, or Siri will not be able to detect your voice.

The microphone is a small hole, embedded in a pinhole. This is why it may not be easy to locate. Integrated, or built-in, microphones are often found on the back near the camera, top of the display, and at the bottom of your iPhone.

You can also buy and use an external microphone.

Microphones Location on iPhone 17, iPhone 16, iPhone 15, iPhone 16, iPhone 14, iPhone 13, iPhone 12, iPhone 11, and iPhone XS

The microphone locations are the same for the iPhone 17, iPhone 16, iPhone 15, iPhone 14, iPhone 13, iPhone 12, iPhone 11, and iPhone XS. In fact, the locations haven’t really changed since the iPhone 5.

There are four microphones on these iPhone models:

1. The first set of microphones are located at the bottom of the iPhone. It captures your voice when you’re on a phone call and you have your phone held to your ear. It’s somewhat disguised and it looks like the speaker holes next to it.
   Tip: Tilt your iPhone up to look at the charging port. You’ll see a lineup of small holes on both sides. The holes on the left of the port are for one microphone, while the holes to the right are for both the other mic and one of the iPhone’s speakers.

2. Another microphone is located right at the top of the glass in the center on the front of your iPhone. It’s difficult to see, but it helps capture sound during FaceTime and other video calls and while using the speaker during a phone call.
   Tip: That little narrow slit towards the top of the iPhone’s screen, which we all know houses the speaker (because that’s where our ear goes during phone calls), also contains a mic. For the iPhone 15 and newer, the mic is stealthily tucked just above the Dynamic Island.

3. The other microphone is on the back of your iPhone, next to the camera lenses. It looks like a small pinhole. It records sound when you’re taking videos with your iPhone.
   Tip: Flip your iPhone on the back. You will see a tiny pinhole nestled in between the various cameras, the flash, and other rear sensors. That’s your iPhone’s rear Mike.

Microphones Location on iPhone XR, iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 7, iPhone 6S, iPhone 6, iPhone SE, iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C, and iPhone 5

These iPhone models have 3 microphones:

1. The first microphone is located at the bottom of the iPhone.

2. The second microphone is located on the back of the iPhone.

3. The third microphone is on the front of the iPhone.

Microphone location on iPhone 4S and iPhone 4

iPhone 4 models include dual microphones. The top one is for noise cancellation. And the bottom is for functions such as, recording a voice memo, or talking to Siri.

Older iPhones:

The older iPhone models (1st generation, 3G, and 3Gs) have one microphone which is located at the bottom of the device.

For more iPhone tips and tricks, check out our tips and tricks section.