How to Clean Microphone on iPhone – A Complete Guide
When you use your iPhone for some time, then it’s bound to get a little dirty. Particular attention should be given to your iPhone microphone and speakers, as dust buildup can affect the audio quality. This would happen when dirt prevents sound from going in and coming out from the microphone grilles on your iPhone. This means people won’t be able to listen to you during the call, and your music will sound very quiet. So, knowing how to clean microphone on iPhone can become very useful.
Where’s the microphone on the iPhone located?
Unless you’re using a really ancient model, your iPhone has three built-in microphones and speakers. You have two of them located next to your front and rear camera. And another one is located at the bottom of your iPhone as circular holes. Each of them has a metal grille that protects them from dirt.
Also Read: How to Clean iPhone Charging Port with Toothbrush or Toothpick
This guide on how to clean microphone on iPhone will share with you multiple methods. This would include using a toothpick, toothbrush, rubbing alcohol, compressed air, and masking tape. Sometimes, it is more effective to use more than one method to clean your iPhone microphone and speakers. In addition, you can also use these methods for cleaning your iPhone charging port.
Before you try any of the methods mentioned below, there are a few things you need to do first. You must switch off your iPhone and disconnect any cables (if any) that are attached to it. Also, remove any protective covers (if any) from your iPhone.
How to clean microphone on iPhone using compressed air
Using compressed air or air dusters is a well-known way to clean your electronics. Nevertheless, it also comes with its own set of risks. You see, when it comes to cleaning your iPhone, Apple is not a fan of compressed air. This is because if it isn’t applied properly, it can damage the sensitive parts of your iPhone.
Also Read: Best Bluetooth Microphones for iPhone
A jet of compressed air, when sprayed, can create a tremendous force that can break the small moving parts inside the microphone. Nevertheless, follow particular instructions when spraying your compressed air on your iPhone. You’ll be able to avoid doing any damage, and your iPhone will be cleaner.
- Spray the compressed air on your iPhone from a few inches away.
- Don’t apply your compressed air straight at your iPhone speaker and microphone. Spray it at an angle.
- Spray multiple short bursts of compressed air instead of longer ones. It would be much safer for your iPhone.
How to clean microphone on iPhone using a toothbrush
Another way to clean your iPhone speaker and microphone is by using a toothbrush. You can also use a paintbrush instead of a toothbrush. However, you need to ensure that the brush that you use has soft bristles. This is because stiff bristles might cause damage to certain components inside your iPhone.
Unfortunately, using a toothbrush will only be helpful to clean the microphone located at the top of your iPhone beside the front camera. However, you can still try cleaning the microphone holes located at the bottom and the rear of your iPhone.
- Gently apply your toothbrush to sweep out the debris from your microphone.
- Don’t merely drag the brush along the speaker’s path. Try applying your brush from top to bottom for the entire length of the speaker several times.
- You can also spray compressed air on your speaker to clean out any debris that has been dislodged by your sweeping.
How to clean the iPhone microphone and speaker by using a toothpick
A toothpick is an excellent alternative to using a toothbrush to clean your iPhone microphone. It is very thin and made of wood, perfect for reaching places where the toothbrush couldn’t go. Again, unlike the brush, the toothpick can be easily inserted into the small circular speaker holes at the bottom of your iPhone. However, again, you’d have to be very gentle while handling a toothpick for cleaning your iPhone speakers.
The rough application of toothpicks may cause unintended damage to the vulnerable grille on your iPhone microphone. Furthermore, the toothpick may break and leave tiny splinters within your iPhone, making it much more difficult to remove. A great thing about using picks is that there are many ways you could use them.
- Gently use a toothpick to dislodge old dirt and drag out any debris.
- Wrap cotton around the toothpick to clean out any dirt even more efficiently.
- Also, you can try applying rubbing alcohol to your cotton-wrapped toothpick to remove any dust.
How to clean microphone on iPhone using a masking tape
You can also use masking tape (also known as painter’s tape) to clean your iPhone microphone. A good thing about this kind of tape is that its sticky part leaves no residues. So, even the most difficult debris can now be easily removed by using this method. However, you have to be extra careful when using this because when the glue happens to stick to the microphone, it will attract even more dirt.
- Take a thin strip of the masking tape and roll it with the sticky part facing outwards.
- Then, gently rub the tape over the entire length of the microphone located at the top of your iPhone.
- To clean the speakers at the bottom holes of your iPhone, roll the tap into a very thin cylindrical shape, most preferably around a toothpick. Then, insert it into the holes to attract the dirt from the speakers.
- Once the tape gets dirty, immediately replace it with a new strip of tape. This is to avoid returning the collected dirt back to the speaker.
How to clean microphone on iPhone using alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is a great cleaning agent for your iPhone. You can use it to clean not only your microphone but also your charging port, screen, camera lens, and the body of your iPhone. The only thing you should do is to ensure that you don’t use too much alcohol while cleaning your iPhone.
- To clean the top microphone on your iPhone, take a small strip of tissue paper and apply a few drops of rubbing alcohol. Then, use it to gently rub across the entire length of the microphone to remove any dirt.
- To clean the bottom and the rear microphone speakers, take a cotton-wrapped toothpick and pour a few drops of the alcohol. Then, insert it into the speaker holes to dislodge debris inside.
Should you clean your iPhone with disinfectant?
When it comes to cleaning your iPhone, it’s important to be cautious with liquids, just like any other cleaning substance. Although your iPhone has good water resistance, disinfectants can weaken it if not used carefully, especially when you clean the iPhone speaker mesh. The recommended approach is to use a soft cloth, apply the disinfectant to it, and gently wipe the entire surface of your iPhone. It’s crucial to ensure that the disinfectant contains 70% isopropyl alcohol, 75% ethyl alcohol, or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes for maximum effectiveness.
When should you clean the microphone on an iPhone?
It is recommended to clean your microphone at least once a month. However, if you notice any issues with the audio quality during calls or voice recordings, it would be best to clean it then. And always remember to be gentle and careful to avoid damaging the microphone.
Wrapping up
This concludes our comprehensive guide on how to clean microphone on iPhone. Hopefully, you’ve found the multiple methods described in this article very helpful. Instead of choosing any manner to clean your iPhone speaker, you should try a combination of various methods for better outcomes. For instance, you should use a toothpick wrapped in cotton and dipped in rubbing alcohol to remove dirt from the speaker holes. Then, use an air duster to remove any dislodged dust away.
For more cleaning tips, check out our take on how to clean a clear iPhone case. Or, you may want to know how to clean an iPhone camera.
