How to Enable the Microphone on Instagram

Trying to record a video for Instagram Stories, a new Reel, or a Live session, only to find there’s no sound? It's a frustratingly common problem, but the fix is usually quick and simple. Your phone's operating system requires you to give apps permission to access hardware like your camera and microphone, and sometimes these settings get turned off by accident or during an update. This guide will walk you through exactly how to enable the microphone on Instagram for both iPhone and Android, and what to do if it's still not working.

Why Does Instagram Need Microphone Access?

First, let's get a common concern out of the way: Instagram isn’t asking for microphone access to snoop on your conversations. On modern smartphones (both iOS and Android), apps have to ask for your permission to use specific hardware components. When you deny an app permission, your phone's operating system acts as a gatekeeper and blocks the app from using it. This is a powerful privacy feature that puts you in control.

Instagram needs microphone access for any feature that involves capturing audio. Without it, you simply won't be able to:

• Record Stories with sound
• Create Instagram Reels with original audio
• Go Live and have your followers hear you
• Send voice messages in your Direct Messages (DMs)
• Use the Voiceover feature to add narration to your Reels
• Add a music track while screen-recording for a Story reaction

Essentially, any function where your voice or ambient sound needs to be recorded requires that the microphone permission is turned on. When you first install Instagram or try to use one of these features for the first time, you’ll typically see a pop-up asking for permission. If you accidentally tapped "Don't Allow," don't worry - you can easily change it in your phone's settings.

How to Enable the Microphone for Instagram on an iPhone or iPad

On an iPhone or iPad, Apple gives you two straightforward ways to manage app permissions through the Settings app. Both paths lead to the same toggle switch, so you can use whichever one you find easier to navigate.

Method 1: Using the Privacy & Security Settings

This is the most direct way to see every app that has requested microphone access on your device, all in one place. It’s perfect for getting a quick overview of your privacy settings.

1. Open the Settings App: Find the grey gear icon on your Home Screen and tap it.
2. Navigate to Privacy & Security: Scroll down the main menu and tap on Privacy & Security.
3. Select Microphone: In the Privacy & Security menu, you'll see a list of hardware and data types like Location Services, Contacts, and Photos. Tap on Microphone.
4. Find Instagram and Enable It: You will now see a list of every app that has requested access to your microphone. Scroll until you find Instagram. If the toggle switch next to its name is white, tap it to turn it green. This means access is enabled.

Quick Tip: If the toggle is already green but the microphone still isn't working in the app, try turning it off and then back on again. Toggling it can sometimes reset a buggy permission and get things working properly.

Method 2: Through the App-Specific Settings

If you prefer to manage all the settings for a single app in one go, iOS also conveniently groups all permissions by app. This is just a different route to the same destination.

1. Open the Settings App: Start by opening the Settings app again.
2. Scroll Down to Your Apps List: Scroll all the way down past the main settings categories (like Wi-Fi, General, and Display) until you reach the alphabetical list of all the third-party apps installed on your phone.
3. Tap on Instagram: Find and tap on Instagram in this list.
4. Enable the Microphone Toggle: You’ll see a list of all the permissions Instagram can request, such as Photos, Location, and Camera. Find Microphone and make sure the toggle next to it is switched on (green).

How to Enable the Microphone for Instagram on an Android Device

On Android, the steps can vary slightly depending on your phone's manufacturer (like Samsung, Google Pixel, or OnePlus) and which version of Android you're running. However, the core concepts and menu names are generally very similar. Like with an iPhone, there are a couple of ways to get there.

Method 1: Using the Main Settings Menu

This method involves navigating through your phone's system settings to find the application permissions manager.

1. Open the Settings App: Pull down your notification shade and tap the gear icon, or find the Settings app in your app drawer.
2. Go to Apps: Tap on the Apps or Apps & notifications section.
3. Find and Select Instagram: You may have to tap See all X apps to view the complete list. Scroll down and tap on Instagram.
4. Open Permissions: On the app info page, tap on the Permissions section.
5. Allow Microphone Access: In the permissions list, tap on Microphone. You will see several options. Choose "Allow only while using the app." This is the recommended and most secure option, as it ensures Instagram can only access your microphone when you actively have the app open.

Method 2: A Shortcut via the App Icon

Most modern versions of Android offer a much faster way to jump directly into an app's settings, saving you a few taps.

1. Find the Instagram Icon: Locate the Instagram app icon on your home screen or in your app drawer.
2. Press and Hold: Long-press the Instagram icon until a small pop-up menu appears.
3. Tap App Info: In that menu, tap on App info or the small circle with an "i" inside it.
4. Go to Permissions: This shortcut takes you right to the App info screen from the previous method. From here, just tap Permissions.
5. Set Microphone Permission: Tap on Microphone and choose "Allow only while using the app."

Troubleshooting: What to Do When the Microphone Still Isn't Working

So you've checked your settings, and the microphone permission is definitely enabled, but you're still getting no sound in your videos. This can happen due to a temporary bug in the app, the OS, or another conflicting setting. Before you get too frustrated, run through these simple troubleshooting steps.

1. Restart Your Phone

It's the oldest tech advice in the book for a reason: it works. A simple restart can clear out temporary files and resolve minor software glitches that might be causing the microphone issue. Just power your phone off completely and turn it back on. It’s surprisingly effective.

2. Check for App Updates

An outdated version of Instagram might have a known bug that’s causing microphone problems. Open the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, search for Instagram, and see if there is an "Update" button waiting for you. Developers frequently release updates to fix bugs like these.

3. Clear the Cache (Android Only)

Over time, an app's cached data can become corrupted, leading to strange behavior. Clearing the cache can fix this without deleting any of your personal data. To do this, go to Settings >, Apps >, Instagram >, Storage & cache and tap the Clear cache button. Note that this is different from "Clear data," which will log you out of your account.

4. Reinstall the Instagram App

If nothing else has worked, it's time to try a fresh installation. This solution addresses any deeply corrupted app files that clearing the cache couldn’t fix.

• First, delete or uninstall the Instagram app from your phone.
• Then, head back to the App Store or Google Play Store, search for Instagram, and download a fresh copy.

This will not delete your account, posts, or messages - all of that is stored safely on Instagram's servers. When you first open the newly installed app, it will ask for all the necessary permissions again, including for the microphone, giving you a chance to set it up correctly from scratch.

5. Check for Hardware Issues

Finally, there's a small chance the issue isn't with Instagram at all, but with your phone’s physical microphone. To test this, open a different app that uses the mic. Try recording a video with your phone's native Camera app or opening a voice recorder app and speaking into it. If you can't record audio in any app, your phone might have a hardware problem. Check the small microphone holes at the bottom of your phone for any dirt or debris and gently clean them out with a soft brush if needed.

Final Thoughts

Getting your voice and sound onto your Instagram content is essential for creating engaging Reels, Stories, and live broadcasts. For most people, fixing the "no sound" issue is as simple as flipping a switch in their phone's settings. By following the steps above, you can quickly grant Instagram the access it needs and get back to creating.

Once your audio is working perfectly, the next challenge is planning, scheduling, and analyzing all that great video content across all your platforms. At Postbase, we built our platform specifically for the modern reality of social media: short-form video. Unlike older tools that struggle with formats like Reels and TikToks, we designed our visual calendar and reliable scheduling features to make managing video content feel effortless, not fragmented. When you create that amazing new Reel with crystal-clear audio, you can trust it's going live exactly when planned.