How to Make Apple Earphones Mic Work Better on PC: A Comprehensive Guide
Who doesn’t know the Apple earphones offered with iPhones? Sleek design and exceptional sound are the characteristics of these earphones. The problem arises when you try to use the iPhone earphones for PC use especially the microphone. There might be problems like low microphone volume, excessive background noise, or the microphone may fail to work entirely. Such problems can be very annoying especially when you are using the earphones for calls, online games, or video conferencing. Fortunately, several tips come in handy to enhance the performance of the Apple earphones mic on your PC.
This article intends to analyze the problems owners of Apple earphones face especially when they are trying to connect with a PC, the reasons for such problems and how to maximize the use of the Apple earphones for the computer microphone.
Understanding the Compatibility Issue Apple Earphones
The Apple earphone’s earphone jack uses a TRRS (tip-ring-ring-sleeve) connector which differs from the TRS (tip-ring-sleeve) jacks that most computers have. The reason for this is that the TRRS connector has got an extra ring which facilitates the use of a microphone and stereo audio all in one cable. However, a large number of personal computers are designed in a manner that ports for audio out (headphones) and audio in (microphone) use different jacks, thus making it impossible to use apple earphones without getting an adapter.
It is this wiring difference that explains why the microphone on your apple earphones is not functional or poorly working on the PC. In such situations, one should check if both the headphone and the mic functions are enabled and recognized on the computer.
Using a TRRS to TRS Adapter
Using standard audio jacks on PCs, the user may also improve the sound quality of Apple earphones by simply utilizing a TRRS to TRS adapter. This will separate the audio and microphone signals so that both are identifiable by the computer. This is how you can do it:
Instructions:
Buy a TRRS to TRS adaptor – such connectors are quite cheap and can be found in all electronics retail and web stores.
Then insert the earphones into the connector: Do not forget to properly insert the earphones after this.
Insert the connector into your computer: Insert the connector into the correct mic and speaker sockets of your computer.
This should facilitate computer recognition of the mic which can then be used. Where the computer has a combined jack for both the microphone and headphones, please ensure you have the correct TRRS designed for the operating system jacks.
Checking Sound Settings on Your PC
In case the microphone of your Apple earphones is not working properly or being detected, the problem could be within the sound aspects of your computer. Follow the steps to change the sound settings and make sure the microphone is worked properly.
Steps:
Right click on the sound icon located in the system tray at the bottom right corner of the windows and click on “Sounds”, Detach.
Navigate to the section labelled “Recording” the tab will be visible at the top. You should see all the available recording devices.
Locate your Apple earphones usually appearing as “External Microphone or Head set” devices. If you can t find them, right click on the empty area and tick Show Disabled Devices option.
Once your earphones had appeared, choose them and click Set as Default Device option.
So, click Properties and change the levels of the mic so that it can be heard. You may also want to click the Advanced tab in order to change the input microphone format (sample rate and bit depth) in order to improve clarity.
Make the modifications and check the mic using sound recording or voice calling.
Adjusting the Microphone Volume and Boosting Sensitivity
In cases where users have set Apple headphones as default for input measurements, there might still be challenges concerning the microphone level. This has always been a problem for apple laptop earphone users but the windows system gives the option of increasing the mic level noise.
P.S. Launch the Audio Share from PS Control Centre. After that wait a few seconds this time the mic turns on.
There is small speaker icon on the taskbar at the bottom right corner. Right click on it and click on “Sounds”.
Under the ‘Recording’ Tab, please select the microphone in use and then click on the ‘Properties’ button.
In ‘Levels’ there is a Level slider located where you can adjust the Microphone level and you move it right.
You can also adjust slightly the internal microphone input by changing the microphone boost slider too.
Do not forget with what strategy should the microphone boost adjustment be implemented, especially since boosting it too much will cause noise and distortion. It is advisable to perform a test of the setup after every change.
Using Third-Party Audio Software
In the event that you are unable to get the results you are looking for our your Apple earphones mic quality even after changing some apple earphone settings , you are free to try adjusting the sounds with the use of some applications. There are applications such as Voicemeeter, Equalizer APO or Krisp that enhance the control of a microphone connected to the laptop by allowing control of background noise, gain and voice clarity.
Using Voicemeeter:
Voicemeeter is a free virtual audio mixer which one can use to monitor and control the level and quality of the microphone input.
Steps:
Download Voicemeeter and install it.
After finishing the installation process, run Voicemeeter and select your mic (Apple earphones) as an input device.
Adjust the input levels using the gain and compression sliders.
The equalizer can also be used to enhance the clarity of the voice or to cut off any unwanted background noise. The use of Voicemeeter or software of similar function has added the advantage of controlling the sound from ones microphone in smaller details, an aspect that is necessary for better clear quality fullness for professional uses such as pod-casting or streaming as live events.
Dealing with Background Noise
Using Apple earphones on a laptop comes with a problem that these earphones do not have a noise-canceling feature which causes the earphones to pick up a lot of unwanted sounds, especially from the surrounding environment, for the earphones do not also include directional microphones. To reduce the ambient sound:
Place the mic in the correct position: Attempt to position the microphone (which is in earphones) nearer to the mouth, but not within close range to avoid microphone breath sounds.
Switch out unnecessary gadgets: Electronic gadgets in the same room with the device can cause noise or background hum interference. Shut down or move away from the loud gadgets.
Employ noise cancellation programs: As stated before, one can use noise removal software such as Krisp that effectively does this for one’s mic. Other than that, Discord offers voice chat noise suppression within its application.
Keeping Drivers Up to Date
Often, the cause of sound device problems is the wrong or outdated audio drivers installed on your computer. Make sure to check if your audio drivers are current and functional.
Process:
First, launch Device Manager (you may look for it from the Start menu).
Then open the section titled “Sound, video and game controllers”.
Search for the sound device (usually after motherboard’s audio chip or a sound card) by clicking on it and then selecting “Update driver” from the available options after making a right ‘click’.
You can both let windows automatically search for updated drivers or go to the web site of the PC or motherboard manufacturer and download the latest drivers from there.
Many of the common audio issues such as those with the built-in microphone, can be fixed just by performing a driver update.
Testing the Microphone on Different Applications
There are times when the microphones perform their task proficiently in one particular application or device but seem not to work in another. To remedy this, use the mic on different programs available:-
Use the built-in Windows Sound Recorder application to check the mic out.
Take up different apps for voice calls such as Skype, Zoom, Discord and the likes and check if the mic works differently.
When a particular microphone works in an application but not in another, it demonstrates that the problem lies in the audio parameters of that particular application. Always make sure that the application settings have the correct input device and also adjust the volume or sensitivity settings within the application where necessary.
Considering Alternative Solutions Apple Earphones
In the event that all previous approaches fail to be effective, it would be advisable to think about purchasing earphones designed solely for use with computers or a separate microphone. Although earphones made by Apple are great for use on mobile devices, these devices are not made for the PC and therefore the mic quality, even when optimised, is likely to disappoint.
Consider a USB microphone:
USB microphones are straightforward as far as installation goes and most of the time improve on the quality of sound produced by the small built-in microphones found in earphones. They are essential to gamers, streamers, and any other professionals that require clear sound for calls and recordings.
Conclusion Apple Earphones
Nevertheless, there are a few options to enhance the usability of the microphone when using Apple earphones on a PC. Be it an adapter or some change in sound settings or even the use of some external software, there are ways around the problem to make the adjusted equipment function better and improved sound quality achieved. But remember, as Apple earphones are primarily produced and targeted for Apple devices, one can never expect much from them on a personal computer. If you do a lot of work that requires the use of a good microphone or play games whereby microphone quality iskey, it would be advisable to purchase some other type of headset or microphone.
