Turn your smartphone into a wireless microphone for video calls, recording, and streaming. Free methods for iPhone and Android on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Your smartphone has a surprisingly capable microphone. Using it as a wireless mic for your computer gives you flexibility, mobility, and often better audio quality than cheap laptop microphones — all without buying new hardware.
This guide covers multiple ways to use your phone as a microphone, from dedicated apps to webcam solutions that include audio.
Why use your phone as a microphone?
Modern smartphones have multiple microphones optimized for voice calls:
Noise cancellation: Phones use multiple mics to isolate your voice from background noise
Better placement: You can position your phone close to your mouth
Download and install the WO Mic client and driver on your computer from wolicheng.com/womic
Open the app on your phone and tap the play button to start
Open the WO Mic client on your computer
Select your connection type (Wi-Fi, USB, or Bluetooth) and connect
Select "WO Mic Device" as your microphone in any application
Connection options: WO Mic supports Wi-Fi, USB, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi Direct — choose based on your needs for latency and convenience.
Wi-Fi: Most convenient — phone and computer must be on the same network. Enter the IP address shown in the app.
USB: Lowest latency, most reliable. Requires USB debugging on Android or iTunes drivers on Windows for iPhone.
Bluetooth: Wireless without needing same Wi-Fi network. Higher latency than Wi-Fi or USB.
Wi-Fi Direct: Phone creates its own hotspot — useful when no Wi-Fi network is available.
On Windows, make sure to install the WO Mic virtual audio driver during setup. If it doesn't appear in your apps, run the installer as administrator and reboot.
WO Mic officially supports Windows and Linux. For Mac, consider using DroidCam or Camo instead (see below).
On Linux, WO Mic uses a kernel module. Follow the instructions on the official site to compile and load the module for your distribution.
Method 2: Webcam apps with audio
DroidCam can stream your phone's microphone along with (or instead of) the camera.
If you use Continuity Camera to use your iPhone as a webcam, the microphone works automatically too.
Requirements:
iPhone XR or newer with iOS 16+
Mac with macOS Ventura (13) or later
Both devices signed into the same Apple ID
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled on both
When you select your iPhone as the camera in any app, the microphone is also available as an input option.
Some phones can act as a Bluetooth audio device, though support varies:
Android: Some manufacturers support Bluetooth microphone mode. Check your phone's settings.
iPhone: Limited support — Continuity Camera is the better option for Mac users.
Note: Bluetooth audio typically uses low-quality codecs (like SCO) for microphone input, resulting in phone-call quality rather than music quality. App-based solutions sound better.
USB vs Wi-Fi vs Bluetooth
Method
Latency
Quality
Convenience
USB
Lowest (10-30ms)
Best
Requires cable
Wi-Fi
Low (30-100ms)
Good
Wireless
Bluetooth
Higher (100-200ms)
Lower
Most portable
Recommendation: Use USB for important calls and recording. Wi-Fi is fine for casual calls. Avoid Bluetooth if latency or quality matters.
Optimizing audio quality
For best audio quality from your phone microphone:
Distance: 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) from your mouth — closer than laptop mics but not too close
Don't cover the mic: Make sure your hand or case isn't blocking the microphone holes
Face the mic towards you: Most phones have multiple mics — the primary one is usually at the bottom
Stable position: Use a phone stand to prevent handling noise
Before your call or recording:
Do Not Disturb: Prevent notifications from interrupting (and being picked up by the mic)
Screen timeout: Set to maximum or "Never" to keep the app running
Close background apps: Free up resources and prevent notification sounds
Airplane mode (optional): Eliminates all interruptions if using USB connection
When using your phone as a microphone, you need to hear audio somewhere:
Use headphones on your computer: Prevents your phone mic from picking up speaker audio
Wired headphones on phone: Some apps let you monitor your voice through the phone
Don't use speakers: Creates echo that's annoying for everyone
Set proper input levels for clean audio:
Check the app settings: Many apps (WO Mic, Camo) have gain controls
System sound settings: Adjust input volume in Windows/Mac sound preferences
Avoid clipping: If audio distorts when you speak loudly, reduce the gain
Troubleshooting
If the virtual microphone doesn't appear:
Make sure the app is running on both phone and computer
Verify the connection is established (check status in both apps)
Restart your video/audio application — it may not detect new devices while running
Check that the virtual audio driver is installed
Try restarting your computer
On Windows, check Sound settings → Input to see if the virtual microphone appears. If not, reinstall the app's audio driver and reboot.
On macOS, check System Settings → Sound → Input. Some apps require security permissions — check Privacy & Security settings.
On Linux, verify the virtual audio module is loaded. For WO Mic, check that the kernel module compiled successfully. Use pactl list sources to see available inputs.
If audio is delayed:
Switch to USB: Lowest latency option
Use 5GHz Wi-Fi: Less interference than 2.4GHz
Move closer to router: Weak signal increases latency
Close bandwidth-heavy apps: Streaming and downloads compete for network
Avoid Bluetooth: Inherently has higher latency than other methods
Crackling or dropouts are usually connection issues:
Check Wi-Fi signal: Move phone closer to router
Reduce network congestion: Pause downloads and streaming on other devices
Try USB instead: Eliminates network-related issues
Lower quality settings: Some apps let you reduce bitrate for stability
Close background apps: On both phone and computer
Echo happens when the microphone picks up speaker output:
Use headphones: The #1 solution — prevents mic from hearing speakers
Mute computer speakers: If you can't use headphones
Move phone away from speakers: Distance helps
Enable echo cancellation: In your video calling app
Using your phone as a microphone is a practical, free way to improve your audio quality or add wireless flexibility to your setup. WO Mic is the best dedicated solution for Windows and Linux, while webcam apps like DroidCam and Camo provide audio alongside video for Mac and all platforms.
For best results: use USB when possible, position your phone 6-12 inches from your mouth, and always use headphones to prevent echo.
Ready to test your setup? Use our microphone test to verify audio quality and levels before your next call.