People can't hear me well on calls with my Android radio: how to improve the microphone

You make a phone call from the car with your Android radio, you hear perfectly… but the other person says you sound far away, choppy or with a lot of background noise. It's a very common problem with CarPlay and Android Auto screens, and in the vast majority of cases it isn't the fault of the radio or the phone, but of where the microphone is and how it's connected.

In this guide we explain the most frequent causes and how to fix them, almost always with a simple change of position or an external microphone.

Why can't people hear me well on calls?

These are the causes we see most often:

• The radio's internal microphone is being used. It sits behind the dashboard or on the front of the screen, far from your mouth and surrounded by air-conditioning and road noise.
• The external microphone is badly placed: hidden behind a trim panel, pointing at the windscreen or next to an air vent.
• The microphone cable isn't properly connected to the radio's "MIC" input, or it got pinched when the unit was fitted.
• The radio isn't set to use the external microphone: some radios let you choose between internal and external microphone in the settings.
• Microphone gain too high or too low: if it's very high, it picks up all the noise; if it's low, you sound quiet.
• Windows down, ventilation at maximum or sunroof open: it seems obvious, but it's behind many complaints.

How to fix it step by step

1. Check which microphone is being used. Go into the radio's Bluetooth or sound settings and see if there's an external microphone option. Enable it if you have one connected.
2. Check the connection. The microphone plug goes into the input marked "MIC" on the back of the radio. Make sure it's pushed all the way in.
3. Place the microphone close to the driver. The best position is usually next to the roof light, on the sun visor or on the A-pillar (the one to the left of the windscreen), pointing towards your mouth.
4. Keep it away from air vents and speakers to avoid noise and echo.
5. Adjust the gain if your radio allows it, and make a test call to compare.
6. With CarPlay or Android Auto, also try restarting the connection with the phone: sometimes the call audio keeps using the phone's own microphone.

The solution: RCA cable + external microphone

If your radio didn't come with an external microphone, you've lost it or the cable is damaged, the simplest solution is the RCA Cable + Microphone. It's the auxiliary wiring that connects to the back of the Android radio and includes:

• External microphone with cable, to place close to the driver.
• RCA outputs and inputs of the radio, which are also used, for example, for the reversing camera or to connect an amplifier.
• Simple installation, without cutting any of the car's wires: it connects to the radio and the microphone cable is routed behind the panels.

With the microphone well positioned, the difference in calls is immediate: your voice comes through closer, cleaner and with much less background noise.

How is the external microphone installed?

1. With the car switched off, remove the radio from the dashboard using plastic tools.
2. Connect the RCA cable + microphone to its connector on the back of the radio.
3. Route the microphone cable behind the dashboard and up the A-pillar, hidden under the door seal or under the panel.
4. Fix the microphone on the roof, next to the interior light or on the sun visor, facing the driver.
5. Refit the radio, enable the external microphone in the settings and make a test call.

Watch out for the curtain airbags in the A-pillar: route the cable behind them without fixing it on top, so it doesn't interfere if they deploy. If you're not sure, any car audio installer can do it quickly.

Other tips to improve calls

• Keep your phone updated: iOS and Android updates also improve CarPlay and Android Auto audio.
• If you use wireless CarPlay or Android Auto and notice dropouts, try with a cable to rule out interference.
• Turn the call volume down a little if you notice echo: part of the sound from the speakers goes back into the microphone.
• If your Android Auto also has connection problems, check our guide Android Auto not working or not connecting: causes and solutions.

Frequently asked questions

Does this microphone work with any Android radio?

It's designed for Android radios with an external microphone input. If you have doubts about your unit, send us a photo of the back via WhatsApp and we'll confirm it.

Does it work with CarPlay and Android Auto?

Yes. When you make a call with CarPlay or Android Auto, the radio uses its configured microphone, so with the external one well placed it improves just the same.

Where is it best to put it, on the roof or on the steering wheel?

On the roof, next to the interior light or on the driver's sun visor. On the steering column it picks up a lot of hand and engine noise.

People hear me with an echo, what should I do?

Move the microphone away from the front speakers, lower the call volume a little and reduce the microphone gain if your radio allows it.

Do I also need the RCA cable?

They come in the same wiring: with this cable you have the microphone and the radio's RCA connections ready for the camera or other accessories.

See RCA cable + microphone

See all the details on the RCA Cable + Microphone product page, or take a look at the rest of our accessories for your radio. If you're not sure whether it's compatible with your unit, write to us on WhatsApp and we'll advise you.