How do Airpods Microphones work?

By: Emmanuel

How does the mic in the Airpods work?

So, you may wonder how the microphone on the Airpods works and where it is. You might be surprised to learn that each Apple Airpod has not just one but two in-built microphones. One microphone is at the bottom of each Airpods stem, while the second microphone on Airpods is right at the top of the stem. It looks like a small black hole and is easy to spot.

The microphone at the bottom of the stem is the primary microphone that listens to what you say—in other words if you are talking on the phone or giving Siri voice commands—the microphone at the bottom takes care of it and listens to your voice. So, if you are on a phone call or video call and the primary microphone picks up your voice, the person on the other end will hear you clearly. It has a speech-recognition accelerometer built in that makes the call quality much better.

The second microphone on the Airpods is a beam-forming microphone whose only job is to pick up any sounds or external background noise and pass them to the internal Airpods chip to synthesize anti-noise.

This anti-noise keeps the background noise from getting into your ears. It’s beneficial because the second microphone helps suppress voices around you, improving the audio quality while you listen to your favorite albums.

Is the mic on the Airpods good?

Yes, the microphones on the Airpods are quite good. Airpods are made so that you can use them without your hands. So, if you ask someone else on the call about the quality of the sound they hear from their end, they will never say that your voice quality is chopped or muffled. That’s just how good they are.

Also, the fact that Airpods always turn on Siri when you want shows that the microphone can pick up your voice or what you say very clearly.

Do Airpods actively block out noise?

Yes, certain models of Airpods can block out noise because Apple only put the Active Noise feature on the Airpods Pro and Airpods Max. You won’t find the Active Noise Cancellation feature on the first-generation to third-generation Airpods.

There is an extra microphone on the Airpods Pro stem. So, if it hears any noises from the outside world, it helps to block them out completely.

If you turn on the Active Noise Cancellation feature on my Airpods Pro, you won’t be able to hear people talking around you. Every time someone tries out the active noise cancellation feature for the first time, they are surprised by how much it cuts them off from the outside world.

The best time to use ANC is on a phone call because you can only hear the person on the other end. Since there are no different sounds to bother you, the call quality is much better.

What is the Airpods range?

You might wonder how far away from your phone you can go before your Airpods stop working

. Since Airpods use Bluetooth technology, they can work from about 10 to 15 meters away on average. If your Airpods are connected to a device that supports Bluetooth 5, you can go up to about 20 meters away. But if you link your Airpods to a device that only supports Bluetooth 4, their total range will reduce to about 10 meters. The amount of interference and the version of Bluetooth on your device also affects how far you can go to use the Airpods microphone with your device.

How to Clean the Mics on the Airpods

Even though Airpods are tiny and easy to carry around, the fact that they are white means they will likely get dirty quickly. Also, the microphone on the stem is just a tiny hole, which means it can be filled with dirt or grime. So, to keep your Airpods as new as possible, it is recommended that you clean them as often as possible.

Apple says you should always use a dry cotton swab to clean the microphones. Also, remember that none of the Airpods models are waterproof, so it’s important to avoid cleaning them with a wet cloth.

Aside from that, it’s essential to keep the case clean because dust and other small particles can get stuck in the stem hole. If you’re not careful, the particles can block the primary microphone of your Airpods over time. To clean the case, you can use a dry microfiber cloth. This is the best way to do it.

How to fix an Airpod mic that has microphone issues

When you talk on the phone with your Airpods, do people tell you that your voice sounds muffled or that it cuts out? Whether you have Airpods Pro, Airpods Max, or any other type of Airpods, it can be frustrating if the microphone on your high-end headphones isn’t as clean as a bell. This section explains why the microphone on your Airpods isn’t working and how to fix the problem for good.

Check the Airpods battery

If the Airpods battery is low, the microphone might stop working. This could be because one of your Airpods is trying to use the microphone when its battery is too low. If people on the phone can’t hear you at all or your voice keeps cutting in and out, put your Airpods in their charging case and let them charge for at least 30 minutes before you try again

To check your battery level, put the Airpods in the charging case, open the lid, and hold the point close to your iPhone or iPad. In a few seconds, you’ll be able to see if it’s charging.

Turn off noise cancellation

Many people who use Airpods Pro and Max say that turning off all noise cancellation modes improves the microphone. If the problem is that sounds in the background are louder than your voice, and your Airpods cannot suppress it, you might be able to fix it by turning off the noise cancellation feature while making calls. You can switch it back on when listening to music or podcasts.

Mics and speakers need to be cleaned

Airpods can get all kinds of dirt and grime, especially where the microphones and speakers are. If something is in the way of your microphone, your voice will be muffled or warped when you speak on the phone or record with it.

Use a dry cotton swab to remove dirt and dust. Using a dry cotton swab, gently brush away grime from all recessed areas, being careful not to press too hard on the speaker mesh. Also, use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth to clean the case of your Airpods or Airpods Pro.

Don’t clean your Airpods with anything sharp, rough, or wet. You could also take your Airpods to an Apple store to have them cleaned by a pro.

Frequently Asked Questions about Airpods microphones

Where is the Airpod microphone?

Your Airpods microphones are located at the bottom of the Airpod’s stem and on the side of the stem directly opposite the speaker’s position.

How do Airpods detect the user’s voice?

Apple’s Airpods use microphones located at the bottom of the stem to pick up the voice or sounds a user produces. These microphones are designed to detect sound waves in the audio range of the human senses.

Wrap up

Regarding the microphone, all Airpods models are equipped with mics that function reasonably well. We hope this article answers your questions regarding Airpods microphones.

If you have any additional questions about Airpods, you may ask us directly by leaving a comment below. Thanks for reading.

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