Switching the audio input on your iPhone is not as straightforward as adjusting a volume slider — but it is absolutely doable once you understand how iOS handles it. Whether you are jumping between AirPods and an external mic, troubleshooting a call that keeps defaulting to the built-in microphone, or recording audio for the first time, this guide walks you through every method clearly and in order.
How to Change Audio Input on iPhone: Step-by-Step for Every Scenario
Why iPhone Doesn’t Have a Single Audio Input Setting
iOS does not include a universal “select microphone” toggle anywhere in Settings. Instead, the system automatically routes audio input to the most recently connected or highest-priority device it detects. That means you control your active input by choosing which device is physically connected or by switching sources inside a specific app. There is no setting to hunt for — the control exists at the device and app level.
Why iPhone Doesn’t Have a Single Audio Input Setting
Method 1 — Connect a Wired Microphone or Headset
Wired connections are the most reliable way to switch audio input on iPhone. iOS detects the new device immediately and routes input to it automatically.
Method 1 — Connect a Wired Microphone or Headset
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Connect your Lightning or USB-C microphone (or headset with an inline mic) to the appropriate port on your iPhone.
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iOS will detect the external input and switch to it instantly. No confirmation prompt or manual toggle is needed.
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Open your recording app or make your call. The wired device is now the active microphone.
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If you are using older 3.5mm headphones, connect them through a Lightning-to-3.5mm or USB-C-to-3.5mm adapter. iOS recognizes the inline mic through the adapter just as it would a native connector.
Once you unplug the wired device, iOS automatically reverts to the built-in microphone.
Method 2 — Switch to a Bluetooth Headset or AirPods
Bluetooth audio input works differently from wired connections because the iPhone may not always use a paired Bluetooth device as the active microphone, even when it is connected.
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Open Settings > Bluetooth and confirm the headset or AirPods are connected (shown as “Connected”).
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If you are on a live Phone or FaceTime call, tap the audio source icon (appearing as a speaker or waveform symbol on the call screen) and select your Bluetooth device from the list.
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If an app defaults back to the built-in mic after you connect your Bluetooth device, disconnect and reconnect the device via Settings > Bluetooth to force iOS to re-route the input.
Control Which AirPod Microphone Is Active
By default, AirPods automatically switch the active microphone between the left and right earbud. If you want consistent behavior during calls or recordings, you can set it manually:
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Open Settings > Bluetooth.
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Tap the info icon (i) next to your AirPods.
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Tap Microphone.
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Choose Automatically Switch, Always Left AirPod, or Always Right AirPod depending on your preference.
Method 3 — Change Audio Input Inside a Specific App
The most direct manual control over audio input exists at the app level. Different apps handle this differently, so here is how it works across the most common ones.
Phone and FaceTime During a live call, tap the audio source icon on the active call screen. A menu appears listing available inputs and outputs. Tap the device you want to use. This affects both speaker output and microphone input simultaneously.
Zoom and Microsoft Teams - In Zoom, go to Settings > Microphone before or during a call to select from detected audio devices. - In Teams, tap your profile icon, go to Settings > Calling, and select your preferred microphone device.
GarageBand GarageBand offers the most granular input control on iPhone. Tap the input selector in the track header before recording, then choose from available audio sources including external USB-C audio devices.
Camera and Voice Memos Neither app includes a manual microphone selector. iOS handles routing automatically for both. Connecting an external wired or Bluetooth device before opening the app is the only way to influence which input they use.
Method 4 — Use an External Wireless Microphone for Instant Input Switching
For anyone who records audio regularly, managing input settings each session adds friction. A dedicated external microphone built for smartphones eliminates that entirely. When you plug in the receiver, iOS switches the input automatically and you are ready to record.
Method 4 — Use an External Wireless Microphone for Instant Input Switching
The Hollyland LARK A1 is designed specifically for this use case. Its wireless transmitter connects to iPhone via a dedicated Lightning or USB-C receiver, requires no driver installation, and is recognized by iOS as an audio input the moment it is plugged in. It also includes 3-Level Intelligent Noise Cancellation, which immediately delivers cleaner results than the built-in microphone in any recording environment. For beginners, students, or anyone who wants reliable audio without configuring settings every time, it is a practical starting point.
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Plug-and-play via Lightning or USB-C receiver for instant iOS compatibility
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3-Level Intelligent Noise Cancellation for clean audio in noisy environments
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Wireless transmitter clips to clothing for hands-free, mobile recording
How to connect:
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Choose receiver: Lightning RX for earlier iPhones, USB-C RX for newer phones.
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Plug the receiver into your iPhone's charging port.
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Wait for the solid blue light on both the receiver and the transmitter. They ship pre-paired, so they connect automatically.
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Clip the transmitter near your collar with the pickup hole facing upward. Move it slightly lower, to your upper chest, if you're projecting loudly.
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Open the Lark Sound app to adjust settings — noise cancellation level, output volume, EQ, reverb, and channel mode.
Troubleshooting: iPhone Not Using the Right Audio Input
If your iPhone is not routing to the input you expect, work through this checklist:
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Bluetooth device is connected but iPhone defaults to built-in mic: Disconnect and reconnect the Bluetooth device via Settings > Bluetooth, or toggle Bluetooth off and back on.
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External wired mic not detected: Check the port for lint or debris blocking the connection. Try unplugging and replugging firmly.
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App ignores the connected input: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone and confirm the app has microphone permission enabled.
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Input reverts mid-session: Force-quit the app and reopen it to reset its audio routing.
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Nothing resolves the issue: Restart your iPhone. A full restart clears audio session conflicts that app relaunches sometimes cannot.
FAQ
Q1: Can I manually select which microphone my iPhone uses system-wide?
No. iOS does not offer a universal microphone selector in Settings. You influence the active input by connecting the device you want to use — wired, Bluetooth, or external mic. Some apps like Zoom and GarageBand allow manual selection within the app itself, but there is no system-level override available.
Q2: How do I change the audio input during a live phone or FaceTime call?
Tap the audio source icon on the active call screen. On Phone calls this appears as a speaker icon; on FaceTime it appears as a waveform or speaker symbol. Tapping it opens a device list where you can select your preferred microphone and speaker source.
Q3: Why is my external microphone not being picked up by my iPhone?
Start by checking Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone to confirm the app has permission. Then inspect the port connection for debris, force-quit and reopen the app, and try disconnecting and reconnecting the microphone. If the issue continues, restart your iPhone to clear any audio session conflicts.
Conclusion
iPhone manages audio input automatically based on what is connected and which app is running, but you have real control through device connections and in-app selectors. Use wired or Bluetooth devices to shift input at the system level, and use app-specific settings in Zoom, GarageBand, or FaceTime for more precise adjustments. For anyone who wants predictable, high-quality input without reconfiguring every session, connecting a smartphone-compatible external microphone like the Hollyland LARK A1 is the simplest long-term fix.
