Want to use an external microphone on Android but don't know where to start?
Don't worry! After reading the guide summarized by the SYNCO team after 3 weeks of testing the use of an external microphone on Android, your problem will be solved!
How to use an external microphone on Android? It is divided into the following seven steps:
- Confirm whether your Android phone supports an external microphone
- Choose a suitable external microphone
- Prepare the required accessories and adapters
- Connect the external microphone correctly
- Download and configure a recording/filming app that supports an external microphone
- Test the microphone connection
- Formal recording or filming
Next, we'll go over the details of these steps to ensure successful use!
Introduction
Compared with the built-in microphone, an external microphone can bring a clearer, more stable, and low-noise audio recorder effect.
So, it has become the first choice of many Android phone users to improve the recording quality.
However, many Android phone users will encounter various problems when trying to connect an external microphone.
Therefore, this practical guide will provide you with 7 detailed, actionable steps to help you quickly connect and use an external microphone.
Whether you are a content creator, a radio/podcast enthusiast, or an Android phone user who is just starting to explore audio enhancement, this guide will help you easily figure out how to use an external microphone on Android to sound professional.
Tool List
- Android phone
- External microphone
- Adapter (if needed)
How To Use An External Microphone On An Android: 7 Easy Steps!
#Step 1: Confirm whether your Android phone supports an external microphone
Before connecting an external microphone, you first need to make sure your Android phone has an audio input function.
You can judge it in the following ways:
✅ Check the interface type: Most Android phones with a 3.5mm audio hole or USB-C interface support audio input. (A few may only support audio output, not audio input.)
✅ Whether it supports OTG function: For USB-A external microphones, Android phones need to have OTG function to support audio input.
✅ Check the system or manufacturer's instructions: Older or low-end models may not support audio input for external microphones.
Tips: If your Android phone doesn't have the above interface or doesn't support the OTG function, you can still try to use a wireless external phone microphone like the SYNCO G3 Pro.
#Step 2: Choose a suitable external microphone
In general, it is recommended to prioritize the external microphone for android phone that matches your phone's audio input interface.
Below are the common external phone microphone interface types. You can judge the interface match between your phone and external microphone accordingly.
- 3.5mm microphone
- Lightning microphone
- USB-C microphone
- USB-A microphone
- XLR microphone
- Wireless microphone (Via Bluetooth or 2.4GHz wireless connection with receiver or direct pairing)
#Step 3: Prepare the required accessories and adapters
Suppose the interface between the Android phone and the Android external microphone matches perfectly.
In that case, you don't need any adapters and accessories for plug-and-play.
Otherwise, you need to refer to the following table to purchase the appropriate adapters and accessories.
| Microphone Type | 3.5mm Audio Jack (Android phone) | USB-C Connector (Android phone) |
| 3.5mm microphone | Plug in directly (requires support TRRS) or add TRS to TRRS adapter | USB-C to 3.5mm adapter |
| Lightning microphone | ❌ Not compatible | ❌ Not compatible |
| USB-C microphone | ❌ Not compatible | Direct connection (phone supports OTG function) |
| USB-A microphone | ❌ Not compatible | USB-C to USB-A OTG adapter (phone supports OTG function) |
| XLR microphone | Sound card device or XLR to 3.5mm audio cable | XLR to 3.5mm audio cable + USB-C to 3.5mm adapter |
| Wireless microphone | Bluetooth: Direct pairing 2.4GHz: Receiver connected to 3.5mm audio hole |
Bluetooth: Direct pairing 2.4GHz: USB-C receiver |
#Step 4: Connect the external microphone correctly
After determining your Android phone's audio input connector, external microphone connector and the required adapter, the connection is very simple.
Just connect the external microphone to the adapter and then connect the adapter to your Android phone.
#Step 5: Download and configure a recording/filming app that supports an external microphone
Once connected, you will also need to switch the internal audio input to the external audio input.
Not all apps will automatically switch to external audio input, so we recommend using professional apps that support external microphones, such as Open Camera and Filmic Pro.
After downloading the app, find “Audio Source” or “Recording Settings” in the app settings, and manually select “External Microphone” or “External Audio Input”.
#Step 6: Test the microphone connection
Once connected, be sure to test that the microphone is working properly.
Open the record or video app to record a piece of voice, play it and check if the sound is clear.
Then, cover the external microphone with your hand and record again, observing whether the sound diminishes to verify that the external microphone is performing audio input.
#Step 7: Formal recording or filming
After confirming that the microphone is working properly, you can start formal recording and filming.
Before recording, it is recommended to turn off notifications and incoming calls to avoid interruptions.
During recording, you can fix the microphone in a suitable position and use a windshield to avoid wind noise or popping sound interference.
Conclusion
By properly selecting, connecting and configuring an external microphone, you can significantly improve the sound quality of recordings and videos on your Android phone.
Although setting up an external microphone may seem complicated, any Android user can easily master how to use an external microphone on Android phone by above steps!
Get your hands on professional-sounding recordings and improve the quality of your content now!
For more information about external mic, please feel free to contact SYNCO.
FAQ
How to use an external mic on an Android phone?
Simply plug the external mic directly into the audio input port on your Android phone to use it. If the ports don't match, you'll also need to use an adapter and accessory to connect and use it.
Why is my external microphone not working on my Android phone?
The external microphone not working on an Android phone is most likely caused by the phone not having the audio input function, an adapter error, or not switching to the external microphone.
We suggest you check whether your phone has an audio input function and whether the adapter matches and then switch to external microphone audio input on the recording app.