How do I use my phone as a microphone for Microsoft Teams?
Using your phone as a microphone in Microsoft Teams can be a convenient way to improve your audio quality during meetings. Your phone’s microphone may sound clearer than your computer’s built-in mic or headphones.
Setting your phone as the microphone allows you to take advantage of noise cancellation features that reduce background noise. It also enables mobility – you can pick up audio as you move around instead of having to sit directly in front of your computer.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to set up your phone as a microphone in Microsoft Teams for both PC and mobile versions. We’ll cover allowing microphone permissions, connecting devices, selecting the mic source, testing audio, and adjusting settings. With a few simple steps, you can start using your phone to provide higher quality audio on calls and meetings.
Prerequisites
In order to use your phone as a microphone in Microsoft Teams, there are a few prerequisites that need to be met:
First, you’ll need to have the Microsoft Teams app installed on your computer. You can download Teams for free from the Microsoft website.
Second, you’ll need a Microsoft Teams account. This is usually provided by your organization if you use Teams for work. If you want to use Teams for personal use, you can create a free account on the Teams website.
Finally, you’ll need a phone that is compatible with Microsoft Teams. Microsoft has certified a variety of desk phones and mobile devices that work seamlessly with Teams. Some examples of compatible phones include the Yealink MP56, Yealink MP54, and Poly CCX 600. Refer to Microsoft’s Devices page for a full list of supported phones.
Enable Microphone Permissions
To use your phone as a microphone in Microsoft Teams, you need to enable microphone permissions for the Teams app. This allows Teams to access and use your phone’s microphone when joining meetings or calls. Here are the steps to enable microphone permissions on Windows and iOS devices:
On Windows 10, open Settings and go to Privacy & security > Microphone. Make sure the toggle for Microphone access is turned on for Microsoft Teams. You may need to restart Teams for the permission change to take effect.[1]
On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone. Make sure Microsoft Teams is enabled and toggled on so it can access the microphone. You may get a popup asking if you want to allow Teams to access the microphone, select Allow.[2]
Granting microphone permissions is crucial to allow Teams to access your phone’s microphone as an audio input device. With the proper permissions set, you can then use your mobile device as a microphone for meetings, calls and events in Teams.
Connect Phone to Computer
To use your phone as a microphone in Microsoft Teams, you’ll first need to connect your phone to your computer. There are two main ways to do this:
Connect via USB
You can connect your phone directly to your computer using a USB cable. Simply plug one end of the cable into your phone and the other end into an available USB port on your computer. This will provide a stable wired connection between the devices.
Connect via Bluetooth
Alternatively, you can connect wirelessly over Bluetooth. First, pair your phone with your computer by going into your phone’s Bluetooth settings and selecting your computer. Then in your computer’s Bluetooth settings, accept the pairing request from your phone. Once successfully paired, your phone and computer can connect wirelessly within Bluetooth range.
Bluetooth provides more flexibility and range of movement since there are no wires. However, a wired USB connection is more reliable and has minimal latency. Choose the connection method that best suits your needs and setup.
Set Phone as Microphone
Once your phone is connected to your computer, you can set it as the microphone in Microsoft Teams:
1. Open the Microsoft Teams app and click on your profile picture in the top right corner.
2. Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
3. On the Settings page, click on “Devices” in the sidebar.
4. Under “Microphone” click the dropdown menu and select your phone.
Microsoft Teams will now use your phone’s microphone for meetings and calls instead of your computer’s built-in microphone.
Make sure to speak into your phone during meetings for your audio to be transmitted clearly. You can test that your phone mic is working by making a test call in Teams.
Test Microphone
Once your phone is connected as the microphone source in Microsoft Teams, the next step is to test that the microphone is working properly. The easiest way to test your microphone in Teams is to join a test call.
To start a test call in Teams:
- In the Teams app, click on your profile picture in the top right corner and select ‘Settings’.
- In the left menu, click on ‘Devices’
- Under ‘Audio Devices’, click the button ‘Make a Test Call’
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This will start a test call where you can speak into your phone microphone and listen back on your computer speakers to ensure everything sounds good. Check that your microphone levels are strong but not peaking or distorted. You can adjust the microphone volume and other settings as needed.
According to Microsoft’s support article (Manage your call settings in Microsoft Teams), the test call provides a simple way to verify that your microphone and speakers are configured properly before joining real meetings in Teams.
Adjust Microphone Settings
If you are experiencing issues with your phone microphone in Microsoft Teams, there are a few things you can try to troubleshoot and adjust the settings:
First, make sure the phone is properly connected and set as the microphone device in your Teams settings. Go to your profile picture and select “Settings” then “Devices” to verify your phone is selected under audio devices.
Try adjusting the microphone sensitivity in Teams – go to Settings > Devices and adjust the “Volume” slider under microphone. Increase the slider to boost the mic volume if it’s too quiet. Decrease it if your microphone is too loud and peaking.
You can also test your mic in a Teams call to hear how it sounds to others. Click the “Test mic” button on the setting page to record a brief sample.
On your phone, check that Teams has microphone permissions enabled under your app settings or privacy settings. Make sure other apps are not using the mic at the same time as Teams.
If you are still having issues, try toggling your phone’s Bluetooth off and on if you are connected via Bluetooth. Or, disconnect and reconnect the USB cable if using a wired connection.
As a last resort, you may need to restart your computer or mobile device to reset the audio components and get the microphone working properly in Teams.
Following these tips should help resolve most microphone problems in Teams meetings and calls when using your phone as the microphone source.
Use Phone Mic in Meetings
When using your phone as a microphone in Microsoft Teams meetings, follow proper microphone etiquette. Mute your microphone when you are not speaking to avoid background noise disrupting the meeting. Here are some tips for using your phone mic effectively:
To mute or unmute your microphone, open the Teams app on your phone and tap the microphone icon. The icon will have a line through it when muted. Tap it again to unmute.[1] You can also mute from the desktop app by right-clicking your name and selecting “Mute”.
Mute your mic when others are speaking to avoid interruptions. Only unmute when you need to speak. Provide concise contributions then mute again when finished.
Avoid rustling papers, typing, or other distracting noises when your mic is on. Be conscious of your environment and movement.
Speak directly into the phone mic for maximum clarity. Hold the phone to your mouth as you talk for better sound quality.
Let meeting participants know if you will be using a phone for audio so they understand any background noise.
Use headphones with an inline mic for best performance. This provides closer mic proximity and reduces echo and background sounds.
[1] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/39568/to-use-a-phone-as-your-microphone-during-a-teams-v
Mobile App Tips
When joining Teams meetings from your mobile device via the Teams mobile app, you can use your phone’s microphone by enabling microphone permissions to access the device microphone.
To check your microphone settings in the Teams mobile app:
- Open the Teams app and tap your profile picture in the top right
- Select “Settings” > “Permissions”
- Ensure “Microphone” is enabled
If you are still having issues with your microphone in the Teams mobile app, you may need to adjust your phone’s privacy settings to allow Teams to access the microphone.
Additionally, using a headset with a built-in microphone can improve audio quality and echo cancellation on mobile devices. We recommend testing different headsets to find one that provides clear audio when using the Teams mobile app.
Conclusion
Using your phone as a microphone in Microsoft Teams allows you to leverage your smartphone’s mic for better audio quality in meetings. This guide outlined the main steps to enable phone mic permissions, connect your phone to your computer, set it as the microphone in Teams, and test that it’s working properly.
The key benefits of using your phone as a microphone include improved audio pickup from the phone’s mic, mobility to move around with your phone mic, and the ability to use headphones plugged into your phone for better sound isolation. This creates an enhanced meeting experience for both you and other participants.
For further help on optimizing your audio setup in Teams, consult Microsoft’s support documentation for USB peripherals and the Teams Phone system. Their troubleshooting guides can assist with any other issues you may encounter.