How To Connect An External Microphone To A Smartphone

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All smartphones contain some sort of microphone feature. Otherwise, how would the person on the other end of the line hear you? This is fine for phone calls because most smartphones contain some form of noise canceling technology.

But what if you want to record high-quality audio with your smartphone? Unfortunately, this is where the built-in microphones start to fail. Unless you plan to have the phone glued to your face, the quality isn’t great.

This is where the need for an external microphone comes into play. So, here’s everything you need to know about connecting an external microphone to a smartphone.

Connection Methods

You’ve decided you’d like to take advantage of the capabilities similar to that of a computer from your smartphone to record high-quality audio with an external microphone. microphone.

There are two ways to connect an external microphone to a smartphone. The first is to use a wireless connection like Bluetooth. The second is a physical connection using a cable.

Analog to digital…

Microphones capture an analog signal. But you need to send those sounds to a digital device, in this case, your smartphone. This requires the use of an ADC (analog-to-digital converter).

Luckily, these ADCs are small, and there’s already one inside your smartphone. More effective ADCs can also be found in dedicated units, within cables, or even within the microphone itself.

Different options…

I’ll discuss four different methods to connect external microphones to a smartphone. Depending on the equipment you have available and the results you want to achieve, the method used may vary.

The first option will be wireless connection via Bluetooth. Next up is another wireless option that uses the smartphone’s headphone jack. For the wired connection, I’ll talk about how to connect a microphone to the headphone jack of a smartphone. Finally, there’s the wired connection using your smartphone’s charging port.

Bluetooth wireless connection

Since 2001, Bluetooth has been available on smartphones. Every currently available smartphone will have Bluetooth capability. It is an incredibly useful tool for communicating digital data between devices wirelessly.

The way Bluetooth transmits data is by using short-wavelength UHF radio waves. The signals range from 2.400 GHz to 2.485 GHz and are only used over a short distance, usually within an area of about 33 feet (10 meters).

Transmitting and receiving…

Bluetooth works by inserting a microchip into the device. This chip can act as a transmitter and receiver. In the case of the microphone, the Bluetooth chip will transmit data and the Bluetooth chip in the smartphone will receive data.

There are two main ways to use Bluetooth with an external microphone. First, the microphone will already have Bluetooth built in. The second option is to add a transmitter to a microphone without Bluetooth enabled. I’ll include some products as an example.

Lewinner Bluetooth Wireless Lavalier Microphone

This convenient and compact Bluetooth wireless clip-on microphone from Lewinner is compatible with all Bluetooth smartphones. It’s perfect for vloggers, bloggers, YouTubers, interviewers, and any other audio recording applications.

Alto – XLR Bluetooth Transmitter

If you have an old analog microphone hiding in a drawer that you use an XLR connection, give it new life by simply plugging in the Alto transmitter, then it instantly becomes a wireless Bluetooth microphone.

Connecting a Bluetooth Microphone to an Android Smartphone

When you connect an Bluetooth device, it is known as “pairing”. This is a simple process and only takes a moment to complete. The steps may vary slightly depending on your phone model. So I’ve kept them reasonably wide.

Make sure the microphone or transmitter is in [Pairing Mode].
Open [Settings] on your smartphone Android.
Select [Connections] followed by [Bluetooth].
Make sure Bluetooth is turned on and select your microphone or transmitter from the list.

Connecting a Bluetooth Microphone to an iPhone

Pairing an external microphone to an iPhone is just as easy and follows a very similar process. Grab your devices and follow these simple steps to connect an external Bluetooth microphone to an iPhone:

Make sure your microphone or transmitter is in [Pairing Mode].
On your iPhone, open the [Settings] menu.
Select [Bluetooth] and make sure it is turned on.
Place the microphone or receiver in the list and select it to match.

Wireless connection using smartphone headphone jack

Some external microphones use a wireless system that may include Bluetooth or other types radio frequency. The transmitter will sit inside the microphone, and the receiver will typically be connected to an audio device.

Any wireless microphone system can be connected to your smartphone as long as the receiver’s output uses a 3-pin jack. .5mm. The 3.5mm plug can be inserted into the smartphone’s headphone jack and will recognize the audio signal.

If the receiver uses an output other than a 3.5mm plug, there is adapters available. Here are some examples of the different types of adapters.

JSAUX – RCA to 3.5mm Audio Cable

For receivers that use an RCA output, usually plugged into amplifiers or PA equipment, use this cable. The JSAUX cable features gold-plated terminals for superior conductivity and double shielding to reduce interference.

TISINO – XLR to 3.5mm Audio Cable

Maybe your receiver only has an XLR output. This high-quality nylon braided cable from TISINO will allow you to connect directly from the XLR output of the receiver directly to the headphone jack of your smartphone.

JSAUX – Audio Cable 6.35mm to 3 .5mm

Some microphone receivers use a plug that looks very similar to the one found on headphones, only larger. They can often be found on musical instruments and use a 6.35mm plug. This JSAUX cable should work.

Plug directly into smartphone headphone jack

Probably the simplest method for connecting a microphone to a smartphone. Assuming your smartphone still has a headphone jack. As mentioned above, newer iPhone models do not include a standard headphone jack.

Some Android phones have also started to follow suit by removing the headphone jack. Don’t worry though, as the next section will offer a few more options. For now, let’s take a look at connecting directly to the 3.5mm audio jack known as the “headphone jack”.

It’s that easy…

I told you this is easy. Grab the 3.5mm jack on the microphone end and plug it into your smartphone’s headphone jack. That’s all! You are ready to go. Of course, life isn’t always that easy.

Not all microphones have a 3.5mm plug at the end of the cable. Don’t forget you can always use the TISINO XLR to 3.5mm cable or the JSAUX 6.35mm to 3.5mm cable I mentioned above. However, to save yourself the trouble, here are some microphones with a 3.5mm output.

Fashion Boutique – 3.5mm Handheld Microphone

Handheld Microphones work great for musical performances, presentations, and interviews. This affordable yet quality omnidirectional microphone can be plugged directly into your smartphone.

ESTIQ – 3.5mm Lavalier Microphone

Perfect for presenting and recording voice memos is this compact and lightweight lavalier microphone from ESTIQ. It can be clipped to a shirt or blouse, allowing hands-free operation by connecting directly to the headphone jack of your smartphone.

EIVOTOR – 3.5mm Condenser Microphone

Condenser microphones are best used for recording voice-overs, podcasts, and are also great for singing. This amazing condenser microphone from EIVOTOR can be plugged directly into your smartphone’s headphone jack for quick and simple performance.

Connecting to a Smartphone’s Charging Port

More and now more smartphones are being released without a headphone jack. Because of this, more and more products are being released that can be connected directly through a smartphone’s charging port.

For iPhone users, Apple uses a Lightning connection for its charging ports. Most Android smartphones now use a USB Type-C connection as their charging port. Some microphones and adapters accommodate both types of connection. Here are some examples.

Movo iLav – Lavalier Microphone with Lightning Connector

Starting with the simplest option, this lavalier microphone from Movo called the iLav. It simply plugs directly into your iPhone’s charging port and provides high-quality audio immediately using plug-and-play.

YCDC – Lavalier Microphone to USB Type-C Connector

For Users From Android, take a look at the YCDC lavalier microphone that uses a USB Type-C connector. You can plug directly into your smartphone’s charging port and immediately enjoy the omnidirectional microphone input.

DESOFICON – Lightning to Headphone Adapter

iPhone users can use an adapter to get the use of a 3.5mm headphone jack. However, if you use your charging port for a microphone or adapter, then you cannot charge your phone at the same time. This DESOFICON product provides both a 3.5mm jack and a Lightning jack.

NIMASO – USB Type-C to Headphone Adapter

Once again, Android users don’t they must miss it. This cool little NIMASO plus adapter into your smartphone’s charging port. You then get a 3.5mm headphone jack, along with a USB Type-C jack to charge your phone at the same time.

Saramonic – XLR to Lightning Cable

Connect an analog professional A microphone with an XLR output for your iPhone is also possible. With this Saramonic XLR to Lightning cable, you can enjoy quality sound on your smartphone.

Comica: XLR to USB Type-C Cable

Android users can also enjoy performance -professional quality sound from an analog microphone. Comica provides this XLR to USB Type-C cable that can be seamlessly connected from your microphone to your smartphone.

Phantom Power Supplies

Using a microphone with an XLR output requires a phantom power supply. XLR microphones often receive their power from the amplifier they are connected to. So here is an example of a phantom power supply to solve this problem.

Aokeo – Phantom Power Supply

When connecting this Aokeo power supply to a wall outlet , it can provide the 48 volts that the microphone requires. The microphone’s XLR output connects to the power supply, which has its own XLR output for connecting to your smartphone.

Looking for a great microphone?

We can help you find it. what you need. Check out our in-depth reviews of the best external microphones for Android, the best external microphones for iPhone, the best microphones for iOS, the best condenser microphones, the best lavalier microphones, and the best microphones for YouTube you can buy in 2023.

Also, check out our comprehensive reviews of the best cheap microphones under $50, the best wireless microphones, the best microphones for live vocals, the best computer microphones, the best interview microphones, and the best dynamic microphones currently available on the market.