If you usually record meetings, create online content (whether podcasts, videos for social media, etc.), you may be wondering how to get the best audio recording on an iPhone. While Apple has really improved the ability to record better audio directly from your phone thanks to machine learning and its own speaker, the company is also making it even better if you use EarPods or AirPods. However, the general consensus, especially if you’re truly looking for the best audio recording possible, is to use a third-party app and an external microphone.
In the same way that you can enhance your iPhone videos with third-party lenses, which Apple and some creators use when shooting ProRes on the iPhone, having a third-party accessory can significantly improve the audio recorded with your phone. Plus, if you’ve created content online, you’ve probably realized that a pretty good image isn’t as bad as a bad audio recording. After all, if you have a great photo, everything is in place, but it’s too windy or the voice is too low, then you can’t enjoy the content at all.
That said, here are some of the ways to get the best audio recording on an iPhone using a third-party accessory, but also relying on Apple’s built-in capabilities and proprietary devices, like its own headphones.
Third-party apps and external microphones allow you to look much more professional
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There is a whole market for iPhone accessories. When Apple offered a Lightning port on its phones, the supply was more limited. However, since the iPhone 15 series, iPhone users have many possibilities thanks to the USB-C port of these devices. Some of the best microphones for recording include brands like RODE, Shure, and DJI. They have tiny wireless offerings, but also microphones suitable for podcasts.
These companies also offer powerful applications that allow greater control over video and audio settings, so you can monitor the image in real time. For example, the RODE Capture app focuses on creators because it features an intuitive interface with important video settings, a dual camera mode, and the ability to save videos as different files or in a single file.
Shure has its own MOTIV apps, one for audio and one for video, which you need to pair with one of its microphone accessories. The Audio option allows you to record uncompressed WAV audio, edit your files, save them in compressed formats and even adjust the gain, use the company’s presets and access other features to make the audio as good as possible. The same goes for DJI, which offers several mic options that even work with its Osmo cameras, creating a powerful mix for the most demanding creators.
Ultimately, it comes down to your budget and the most important part of your creative process.
Your iPhone can do the job too
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If you want to experience the best sound using your iPhone, Apple says that starting with iPhone 16, users can record audio with Spatial Audio capabilities. In iPhone Settings, users can tap the Camera, tap Record Sound, and then choose between Spatial Audio, Stereo, or Mono. With this iPhone, Apple automatically reduces noise, such as wind, other people talking, etc. While editing the video, users can get more audio mixing options on the Photos app’s editing tools. For audios in the Voice Memos app, users can tap to improve the audio from there.
In addition to the capabilities of the latest iPhones, Apple also allows users to take advantage of AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4 and AirPods Max 2 to start recording a video or taking a photo, and users can also, coupled with iOS 26, use the microphones of these headphones to record audio. With AirPods connected, simply open the Camera app, select Video mode, then in Control Center, users can tap Camera Controls and change the input on AirPods.
Last but not least, Apple EarPods have become the go-to “pro” microphone for creators. For less than $20, users can connect the wired headphones to the iPhone, start recording video and a voice note, and hold the microphone close to their mouth. It works perfectly, and it’s also something that everyone does, which means that staying on budget in this case is not a problem, but a very thoughtful choice.
