How to use smartphone instead of microphone for computer

Whether you're gaming with friends or hopping on a Zoom call for work, a microphone is a necessity in today's post-pandemic world. But if you don't have a dedicated PC microphone, you can use your smartphone as a microphone for your Windows computer. Here's how.

Table of Contents

• How to use Android phone as Windows microphone
• How to use iPhone as Windows microphone
• What to do if Windows doesn't detect your voice?

How to use Android phone as Windows microphone

If you have an Android phone, you can use your Android phone as a free Windows microphone with AudioRelay. To use it, all you need is Wi-Fi on your smartphone and an Internet connection on your Windows computer.

• Download AudioRelay for Android | Windows (Free, with subscription)

Once AudioRelay is installed on both devices, follow these steps:

1. In the mobile app, go to the Server tab and tap Microphone to stream your microphone to another device.
2. In the desktop client, go to the Player tab . Under Mode , check the radio button next to Mic .
3. At the bottom, under Servers , your phone will appear. Click on the phone name and it will establish a connection.

Next, you need to tell your Windows PC to use AudioRelay as your microphone:

1. Right-click the volume icon on the Windows taskbar and select Sound Settings (or Sounds on Windows 10).
2. Under Input , select Virtual Mic for AudioRelay . If you're using Windows 10, go to the Recording tab , right-click Virtual Mic for AudioRelay and select Set as Default Device .

Start speaking and you should see the volume bar move with the sound of your voice. Also, if you're not sure if it's working, test your microphone in a program like Zoom. Make sure the input device is set to Virtual Mic for AudioRelay in the app you're using.

There are just a few things to keep in mind. There are other connection options, but Bluetooth has latency issues and wired USB doesn't work. You should use Wi-Fi, which is the default.

Note that the free version limits you to 1 hour of continuous use. After that, you will have to restart the connection by following the steps above.

How to use iPhone as Windows microphone

If you have an iPhone and want to use it as a Windows microphone, you can use AirDroid Cast. The process can be a bit convoluted since the app is meant for full-screen mirroring, but it’s probably the best option for getting the job done. All you need for the app to work is Wi-Fi on your iPhone and an Internet connection on your Windows PC.

• Download AirDroid Cast for iOS | Windows (Free, subscription required)

Once you have AirDroid Cast installed on both devices, follow these steps:

1. When you first launch the application on Windows, click Allow if Windows Firewall appears.
2. In the desktop app, go to the Wireless tab and note down the numeric code or QR code.
3. In the mobile app, go to the Cast the Screen tab . Then, enter the code above or use the Scan option to capture the QR code and tap Start Casting .
4. When you see the pop-up window in the desktop app, click Allow .
5. Next, click Start Broadcast in the mobile app. When the overlay appears, click Start Broadcast again. You should now see your mobile screen mirrored on the Windows client.

Next, to start using the microphone, follow these steps:

1. In the mobile app, tap somewhere else on the screen to exit the overlay. You'll now be on the connection screen, which shows the connection time so far.
2. Tap the microphone icon to turn it ON .
3. Speak into the phone and you will hear it on your PC.

It's great that everything is handled through the app, so you don't have to mess around with Windows microphone settings. The free version is also very generous, giving you unlimited connection time.

There are a few things to know about other connection options. You can connect via Bluetooth or a USB cable. However, the USB cable option is only available if you upgrade to a paid subscription.

What to do if Windows doesn't detect your voice?

If Windows isn't detecting your microphone or voice, check these common issues first:

• If you are using AudioRelay on an Android phone, make sure the Windows program has set the input device to the virtual microphone for AudioRelay.
• If you're using AirDroid Cast on your iPhone, make sure you're mirroring your phone's screen to your PC and not the other way around. Also, check to see if the microphone option in the mobile app is enabled.
• If you're still having problems after checking the above issues, you may need to troubleshoot other microphone issues in Windows, such as improper drivers or permissions.

While it may not be ideal to use your smartphone as a microphone for Windows, it is a great and inexpensive alternative if you don’t have a regular microphone. Similar to how you can use your phone as a webcam on Windows, it’s great to be able to make use of what you already have.