The iPhone may be the smartest phone around, but it’s not perfect. Apple has put a lot of effort into making the iPhone camera one of its best features, but the microphone still leaves much to be desired. Still, you can get better-quality audio recordings by using an external microphone.
To connect a mic to an iPhone 7 or newer models, you’ll need either a Lightning to 3.5 mm headphone jack adapter. iPhone SE and earlier models have an audio jack, so you can directly connect a 3.5 mm microphone, or headphones with a built-in mic. An external mic will increase the audio quality.
Microphones can be wireless or wired — but for this guide, we’ll focus on wired microphones. And since wired microphones come with different types of connectors, you will need different adapters to connect them to your iPhone. Let’s look at each type and see how to connect them to your iPhone.
Can You Connect a Microphone to an iPhone?
Yes, you can connect an external microphone to your iPhone. Older models (iPhone SE and earlier) have a 3.5mm headphone jack where you can plug in an external microphone with a TRRS connector.
TRS and TRRS microphones may look the same, but they are not. If you’re using a TRS tip mic, you’ll need a TRS to TTRS adapter (on Amazon) to make it work with iPhone.
iPhone 7 and later models don’t have a headphone jack. Instead, they come with a Lightning connector port used for power and data transfer.
Depending on the type of connector your microphone has, you’ll need either a Lightning to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter (on Amazon) to connect a 3.5mm TRRS microphone or a USB power hub to connect a USB microphone.
There are also some microphones with a lightning connector; you can connect them directly to the iPhone without any adapter.
Is an External Mic Better Than an iPhone Mic?
Yes, an external microphone is almost always the better choice if you’re looking to get the best possible audio recordings with your iPhone. That said, the iPhone’s built-in microphone is by no means a bad mic.
It’s a really decent mic with a wide frequency response and omnidirectional pickup pattern. When you combine this with the iPhone’s great audio setting options, you can get some very good recordings with just the built-in mic.
So, if your microphone requirements aren’t too demanding, iPhone’s internal mic should suffice.
However, if you’re looking for the best possible audio quality, you’ll need an external microphone. Since external mics are made specifically for recording, they usually offer more features than any internal iPhone mic could hope to match.
For example, most external mics come with noise-canceling that greatly reduces or eliminates background noise from your recordings. You can also enhance the sensitivity, filter out low-frequency sounds, and add an equalizer to your recordings.
That’s why professional journalists, podcasters, and other audio recording enthusiasts prefer to use an external microphone with their iPhones.
How Do You Connect a Microphone to an iPhone?
Your phone model and the type of microphone you have will determine how you connect your microphone to your iPhone. Let’s look at each connection type in turn.
iPhones With a Headphone Jack
Only iPhone SE and earlier models have a headphone jack. If you have one of these models, you can directly plug in your external microphone without any adapters.
But the mic should have a TRRS connector to work with your iPhone. If your mic doesn’t have one, you’ll need a TRS to TRRS adapter to make it work with your iPhone.
iPhones With a Lightning Connector Only
All iPhone models from iPhone 7 onwards don’t have a headphone jack. Instead, they come with a single Lightning port used for power and data transfer. To connect an external mic to these models, you’ll need appropriate adapters according to your microphone type:
Microphone with a lightning connector
Since Apple stopped including the headphone jack with iPhone 7, many manufacturers have started making quality mics with a Lightning connector.
These mics are designed to work specifically with iPhones and are easiest to connect. All you need to do is plug the mic into your iPhone’s Lightning port, and you’re good to go.
Microphone with a 3.5 mm TRRS/TRS connector
You’ll need a lightning to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter for this type of microphone. Get the appropriate adapter, depending on the type of 3.5mm connector of your microphone.
This is probably the most economical option since you can get a high-quality microphone without spending too much money.
Microphone with a USB connector
Connecting a USB microphone to your iPhone is a bit more complicated — you’ll need more than just one adapter to make it work. Since USB microphones power themselves through the same USB connection they use to transfer audio, you can’t connect them directly to your iPhone’s Lightning port.
If you try, your iPhone will show the error saying, “The connected device uses too much power.” The same goes for connecting other power-consuming mics through other methods.
To connect a USB microphone to your iPhone, you’ll need the following accessories:
- Lightning to USB Adapter (on Amazon)
- A USB power hub (on Amazon)
- A USB type B cable (optional)
Once you have all these accessories, connect the Lightning USB adapter to your iPhone. Then connect the other end of the adapter to the USB power hub.
Now, connect your USB microphone to the USB power hub. Turn on the power switch of the hub, and your microphone should start working with your iPhone.
The official Lightning to USB adapter from Apple is very short, which may restrict your movement while recording. If you need more length, connect an additional USB type B cable between the Lightning USB adapter and the USB power hub.
Best External Microphones for iPhones
Here are some of the best external microphones that you can use with your iPhone:
Rode VideoMic Me-L (on Amazon)
One of the best external shotgun microphones for iPhone, the Rode VideoMic Me-L comes with a directional pickup pattern that helps reduce ambient noise and focus on the audio in front of the microphone. The mic is lightweight and can be easily mounted on your iPhones through the Lightning port.
PowerDeWise Lavalier Mic (on Amazon)
A great lavalier microphone for iPhone, PowerDeWise comes with a 3.5 mm jack and a separate power supply that provides enough power to the microphone. The mic also has a long cable perfect for recording interviews and vlogs.
ZOOM iQ7 Stereo Mic (on Amazon)
The ZOOM iQ7 is another great external microphone for iPhone that comes with a lightning connector. The mic has a dual capsule and volume knobs to catch 360 stereo sound, making it perfect for recording music.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you’re having trouble connecting your microphone to your iPhone, here are a few tips that might help:
- Make sure you’re using the right adapter; TRS and TRRS are similar from the outside but have different pin configurations. If you’re using the wrong adapter, your microphone will not work.
- Make sure the power supply of your USB microphone is turned on. Many USB microphones have an on/off switch you need to turn on before using the mic.
- If your USB microphone is still not working, try connecting it to a different USB port on the power hub. Some ports may not provide enough power to operate the microphone.
- Always test your microphone before recording anything important. Ensure the mic is working properly and recording audio is the desired quality.
- Always opt for Apple’s Lightning to USB adapter instead of any third-party adapter as it’s more reliable.