How to Turn Off the Microphone in Facebook

This guide shows you how to stop Facebook from accessing your microphone on both the mobile app and desktop website. You’ll learn to disable mic permissions for the app itself, turn off voice features like voice messaging, and block microphone access for individual posts or comments. No special tools are needed—just your phone or computer settings.

What You’ll Need

• Your smartphone (iPhone or Android) or computer
• Access to your Facebook account (for in-app settings)
• Your device’s Settings app (for permission changes)

Step-by-Step

On the Facebook Mobile App (iPhone)

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap Facebook.
3. Tap Microphone.
4. Choose Never (or toggle it off if you see a switch).
5. Return to Facebook. The app will no longer be able to record audio.

On the Facebook Mobile App (Android)

1. Open the Settings app on your Android device.
2. Tap Apps or Application Manager (wording varies by phone).
3. Scroll to and tap Facebook.
4. Tap Permissions.
5. Tap Microphone and select Deny (or toggle it off).
6. Go back to Facebook. The app will lose mic access.

On the Facebook Website (Desktop)

1. Open your web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge).
2. Go to facebook.com and log in.
3. Click the lock icon or camera icon in the address bar (left side of the URL).
4. Look for Microphone or Site settings.
5. Change the microphone permission to Block.
6. Reload the Facebook tab for the change to take effect.

Disable Voice Features Inside Facebook

1. In the Facebook app, tap your profile picture (bottom right on mobile, top right on desktop).
2. Tap Settings & Privacy, then Settings.
3. Scroll to Permissions and tap Microphone.
4. Toggle off Allow microphone access (if available).
5. For voice messages in Messenger, open Messenger, tap your profile, then Privacy & Safety and disable Voice messages if you prefer not to send them.

Turn Off Microphone for a Specific Post or Comment

1. When creating a post, look for the microphone icon next to the text field.
2. Tap it to ensure it’s crossed out or grayed out—this prevents voice input for that post.
3. If you see a pop-up asking for mic permission, choose Don’t Allow.

Common Mistakes

• Only disabling inside the app: Turning off mic access in Facebook’s own settings may not stop the app from requesting it; you must also change the permission in your device’s Settings.
• Confusing the browser with the app: On a desktop, you need to change the browser’s site permission, not the Facebook account settings.
• Forgetting to reload the page: After changing browser permissions, you must refresh Facebook for the new setting to apply.
• Thinking “Disable” in the app means the same as “Deny” on the device: The app-level toggle only affects Facebook’s features; the device-level permission is the final gate.

Tips

• On iPhone, you can also go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone and toggle Facebook off there—same result, different path.
• On Android, some manufacturers (Samsung, Xiaomi) have extra battery optimization settings that may re-enable permissions; check “Battery” or “App power management” if the mic turns back on.
• If you want to use voice features occasionally, choose “Ask every time” on Android or “While Using” on iPhone instead of “Never.”
• Use a private browsing window (Incognito) when testing microphone permissions—it won’t save your choice, but it helps confirm the browser setting works.

Troubleshooting

Facebook still asks for microphone access after you disabled it. This usually means the permission change didn’t save. Go back to your device’s Settings, find Facebook, and confirm the mic is set to “Deny” or “Never.” On Android, also check “Permissions” under “App info” and ensure “Microphone” is not set to “Allow only while using the app.”

You can’t find the microphone permission in your device settings. On some phones, Facebook is listed under “All apps” rather than the main list. Use the search bar in Settings and type “Facebook.” On iPhone, if Facebook doesn’t appear, make sure the app is installed and you’ve opened it at least once.

The mic icon still shows in Facebook even after blocking. The icon may appear but the app won’t actually record. To verify, try recording a voice note—if it fails, the permission is correctly blocked. If it still records, your device may have a separate “system” mic permission that overrides app settings; check “System apps” in Android or “Microphone” under Privacy on iPhone.

Desktop browser doesn’t show a mic option. Some browsers only show the mic permission after you’ve used it once. Try clicking the mic icon in a Facebook post to trigger the prompt, then choose “Block.” Alternatively, clear the site’s permissions from the browser’s settings (e.g., Chrome: Settings > Privacy > Site Settings > Microphone > Facebook.com).

After updating Facebook, the mic permission resets. App updates on Android can occasionally reset permissions. Re-check your device settings after major updates. On iPhone, permissions usually persist, but if not, simply re-apply the “Never” setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will turning off the microphone stop Facebook from listening?

Yes, if you deny the microphone permission at the device level, Facebook cannot access your mic, so it cannot listen to ambient audio or record voice.

Does Facebook use the microphone for ads?

Facebook states it does not use your microphone to target ads. It uses your posts, likes, and other activity. Turning off the mic won’t change ad targeting.

Can I still send voice messages in Messenger after disabling the mic?

No, you won’t be able to record new voice messages. You can still receive and listen to voice messages from others.

Will disabling the mic affect video calls on Facebook?

Yes, you won’t be able to talk during video calls. You can still watch and listen, but the other party won’t hear you.

How do I re-enable the microphone later?

Simply go back to your device’s Settings, find Facebook, and set the microphone permission to “Allow” or “While Using.” The app will then work as before.

Does turning off the mic on the website also affect the mobile app?

No, they are separate. The browser permission only affects the website in that browser. The mobile app has its own permission.

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