Check if your microphone is muted in Settings first

Your iPad's microphone is usually on by default, but the quickest reason it stops working is that you've muted it in Settings without realizing. Open Settings, then tap Privacy, then Microphone. You'll see a list of every app on your iPad. If an app shows a toggle that's off (greyed out), that app cannot use your microphone — even if the microphone itself works fine.

If you see Microphone is missing from the Privacy menu entirely, your iPad model may not have a built-in microphone. Most iPads from 2012 onward do, but some older models or specific configurations don't. Check your iPad's specs on Apple's website by looking up your model number (found in Settings > General > About).

Key Takeaways

  • Turn on microphone access for each app individually in Settings > Privacy > Microphone by toggling the app's switch to on.
  • If an app still can't hear you after you've enabled microphone access, restart the app completely and try again.
  • The physical mute switch on the side of your iPad (if your model has one) silences audio output but does not disable the microphone for calls or recording.
  • If your microphone works in some apps but not others, the problem is usually app-level permissions, not a hardware failure.
  • Restarting your iPad clears temporary software glitches that block microphone access more often than any other fix.

Turn on microphone access for the app you're using

Each app on your iPad must have permission to use the microphone separately. When you first open an app that needs a microphone — like FaceTime, Zoom, or Voice Memos — iOS usually asks you to allow it. If you tapped "Don't Allow" by mistake, or if you're using an older app that never asked, you need to grant permission manually.

Go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone. Find the app you want to use (for example, Zoom or FaceTime) and make sure the toggle next to it is green and switched on. If the toggle is grey, tap it once to turn it on. The app should now be able to use your microphone the next time you open it.

Restart the app if it still won't hear you

Sometimes an app loads before it checks whether microphone permission is on, so it never actually tries to use the microphone. Close the app completely and open it again. On most iPads, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the app switcher, find the app, and swipe it up and off the screen. Then tap the app icon to reopen it.

If you're using an older iPad with a home button, double-tap the home button instead to open the app switcher, then swipe the app upward to close it.

Restart your iPad if the microphone still doesn't work

A restart clears temporary software problems that block microphone access. Hold down the top button (or top and bottom buttons on older models) until you see "Slide to Power Off" appear. Slide the power off, wait 10 seconds, then press the top button again until you see the Apple logo.

Once your iPad restarts, open the app again and test the microphone. Many microphone problems disappear after a restart because the operating system resets its connection to the hardware.

Check for app updates and iOS updates

An outdated app sometimes has bugs that prevent it from accessing the microphone even when permission is on. Open the App Store, tap your profile icon in the top right, and scroll down to see pending updates. If the app you're having trouble with appears in the list, tap Update next to it.

Also check whether your iPad itself needs an update. Go to Settings > General > Software Update. If an update is available, connect to Wi-Fi and tap Install Now. iOS updates sometimes fix microphone problems that affect multiple apps.

Test your microphone with the Voice Memos app

Voice Memos comes built into every iPad and is the simplest way to test whether your microphone works at all. Open Voice Memos, tap the red record button, and speak into your iPad. If you hear your voice played back when you tap the stop button, your microphone is working. If you hear nothing or very quiet audio, the microphone may have a hardware problem.

If Voice Memos records nothing, make sure you've turned on microphone permission for Voice Memos in Settings > Privacy > Microphone. If it's already on and still records nothing, your microphone may need repair — contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store.

Understand what the mute switch does and doesn't do

Many iPad models have a physical mute switch on the side (usually near the volume buttons). This switch silences speaker output — music, videos, notifications — but it does not disable the microphone. You can still make calls, record voice memos, and use video chat even when the mute switch is on. The microphone works independently of that switch.

If you're in a call and the other person can't hear you, the mute switch is not the problem. Check the app's settings instead — some apps like Zoom have their own mute button inside the app that overrides everything else.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can I hear the other person on a call but they can't hear me?

Check that microphone permission is on for that app in Settings > Privacy > Microphone. Then look inside the app itself — most calling apps have their own mute button (usually a microphone icon with a line through it). Tap it to unmute. If both are on and you still can't be heard, restart the app and try again.

Does the mute switch turn off the microphone?

No. The mute switch only silences speaker output. Your microphone keeps working even when the mute switch is on. If someone can't hear you during a call, the mute switch is not the cause.

What if my iPad doesn't have a microphone at all?

Very old iPad models (iPad 1 and iPad 2) don't have built-in microphones. Check your model number in Settings > General > About and search Apple's specs online. If your iPad truly has no microphone, you can use an external USB microphone with an adapter, though most apps work better with the built-in one.

Can I use an external microphone with my iPad?

Yes. You can connect a USB microphone using a USB-C adapter (on newer iPads) or a Lightning adapter (on older models). Once plugged in, go to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Audio to select it as your input device. Some apps may also let you choose the microphone directly in their settings.

Why does my microphone work in some apps but not others?

Each app needs its own microphone permission. Check Settings > Privacy > Microphone and make sure the app that's not working has its toggle turned on. If it does, restart that app. If it still doesn't work, try updating the app or restarting your iPad.