If your computer doesn’t have a microphone or maybe it is faulty, you can use your phone instead to participate in Zoom calls, record voice notes, and play games with friends online, among others, with great audio quality.
I will show you two methods you can use to turn your phone into a microphone; either you are an iPhone or Android user.
How to use your phone as a microphone on Windows or Linux
1. Download and install WO Mic
You will have to download WO Mic for both your Windows/Linux laptop and your phone.
For your computer, you can get the download link for WO Mic on their official website. You will download the computer client.
For your phone, you can check out the app on the Google Play store or the Apple Store. This app works on both Android and iPhone.
2. Check if the WO Mic client works
Launch the WO Mic client you just downloaded, and if it says missing DLL error, you will have to install VC runtime re-distributable (x86) from Microsoft.
Re-launch it now, WO Mic virtual device will automatically be created, and to ascertain this, follow these steps:
• Press Windows + X and in the pop-up menu click on Device manager.
• Now navigate to Sound, Video, and Game controllers. You should see the WO Mic device there.
3. Launch the app
You will launch WO Mic app on your phone. You will see “Settings” at the top right corner of your phone screen. Tap on it.
4. Choose a mode of Transport
After tapping on Setting, you will see Transport, tap on it as well. A pop-up menu will appear with three modes of transports — USB, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. You can use any of the three.
• USB – you will have to connect your phone to your computer with a USB. Make sure you have enabled USB Debugging Mode on your Android phone. You can check your Phone Settings then navigate to Developer Options.
• Bluetooth – you can also go to your phone Settings to turn on your Bluetooth. On your computer, go to the Wireless Communication menu or Control Panel to enable Bluetooth. Make the Bluetooth discoverable on both your phone and the computer.
• WiFi – you will connect your phone WiFi to your computer WiFi. Make sure both your devices are discoverable. You can check your Phone Settings, then navigate to WiFi, WiFi direct, or Hotspot (depending on your phone), then change the discoverable option to “Open” or “Allow”.
5. Choose an audio source
WO Mic has 5 mic modes. It is possible not all modes will work on your phone because there are different Android hardware and OEM customization. Moreover, some of the modes might be supported on your phone but they won’t be as effective as you want. Here are the 5 mic modes:
• Default: Phone embedded microphone.
• Mic mode 1: This works with an external wired headset.
• Mic mode 2: Use this if there are echoes with other modes.
• Mic mode 3. Use this if you will be speaking from a long distance or in a noisy environment.
• Rear mic: Use this if you want to better capture sound from the back.
6. Tap on start
Go back to the homepage of the app. You will see a “Start” icon at the top right corner of the page. Tap on it to start the server.
7. Connect to WO Mic computer client
Launch the WO Mic application on your computer. On the top left corner of the application, you will see “Connect”. Click on it.
8. Select a Transport mode
You will have to select a Transport mode on your computer as well. A list of Transport modes will appear on a panel, you will choose the connection type you chose on your phone earlier.
9. Follow the on-screen instructions
If you’re using USB as your transport mode, you can skip this section. However, if you chose WiFi or Bluetooth as your mode of connection, follow the instructions on the screen to make the connection successfully.
10. Click on connect
Click on the Connect bar at the bottom of the screen and tick the Play in speaker box (if it doesn’t appear with the connect bar you’ll have to go to settings to enable it)
The current status of the connection will appear on your screen (Connected or Disconnected) and the connection type you chose will also appear.
When the connection is successful, you can start using your phone as a mic. Any noise in the background will be picked up and your computer will receive the transmission.
Alternatives to WO Mic
If you don’t want to use WO Mic, there are other apps you can use —
• Microphone for Android
• Megaphone Free for iOS
If you opt for these two apps you will have to make use of an audio connection jack.
How to use your iPhone as a mic on Mac
1. Download Microphone Live app
Visit the App Store and download the Microphone Live app.
2. Connect the two devices
You’ll connect your iPhone to the Mac with a USB. You can use the lightning cable that comes with iPhones.
3. Go to Auto MIDI Setup
You will see the Auto MIDI Setup on your Mac computer. If you can’t find it, go to the menu tray and click on the Spotlight icon. You’ll then use the search box to search for it.
Make sure your iPhone is unlocked so that your device will be discoverable in Auto MIDI Setup. You will see your device on the left-hand side of the screen, click on “Enable” to connect the two devices.
4. Go to System Preferences
Leave Auto MIDI Setup. On your home screen, you should see the System Preferences icon. If you can’t find it on the home screen, just click on the Apple logo at the top corner of the screen, from the drop-down menu click System Preferences.
5. Click on sound
From the list of icons on the screen, look for the one with an icon of a speaker and sound written underneath it. You’ll usually find it at the end of the second row. Click on it.
6. Select iPhone
Click on the “Select a device for sound input” tab and click on iPhone. However, if it has already been selected automatically don’t click on anything, just go to the next page.
7. Launch the Microphone Live app
Launch the app on your iPhone.
8. Turn it on
In the app, you will see a power button at the center of the screen. Tap on it, and it will change from red to grey, indicating that it has turned on.
9. Enable Front iPhone Mic
It usually enables this automatically, but if it doesn’t, then check the lower-left corner of the screen and tap on it.
10. Manage the volume
To reduce or increase the volume, just swipe your finger down or up until you find the level that suits you.
11. Tap on No Output
Most times, the information of your device will be displayed which shows the app is ready to be used as a microphone.
Tap on the Dock Connector. Now you’ll be able to see the sounds picked up by your iPhone.
Make sure you keep the app open so that it can stay connected to your Mac.
Conclusion
If you are unable to connect with WO Mic wirelessly, check out their FAQs page for a resolution.
Also, make sure where you are doing the recording is a suitable spot because surrounding noise can ruin the audio, such as the sound of passing vehicles, lawnmowers, and even the breeze. Also, don’t record in an empty room because of echoes, instead, stay in a room with furniture and other items because they dampen echoes.
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