People are just realising what the mysterious hole on the back of your iPhone is

HAVE you ever looked at the back of your iPhone and noticed a tiny hole?

It’s easy enough to miss – it’s hardly bigger than a speck of dust.

You’ve probably glanced at it thousands of times without ever giving it much thought.

But if you have wondered what it’s for, the answer is very simple.

It’s actually a microphone designed to capture sound from the direction that the camera lens is facing.

There are typically thee microphones on an iPhone, so you get a good mapping of sound.

One is on the camera module, another is behind the speaker grille, and a third is on the bottom of the phone.

It’s been this way since the iPhone 5, which launched just over a decade ago.

Microphones are essential to so much of what you do on an iPhone.

For a start, they’re used to let you make phone calls, record voice notes, or control Siri.

But Apple also uses “beamformers”, which allow the microphones to target specific directions.

“An iOS device’s built-in microphone input consists of an array of physical microphones and beamformers,” Apple explains.

It’s important to keep your iPhone microphones clear, and free from debris.

“If the sound is unclear during phone calls, during FaceTime calls, in video recordings, or in apps, learn what to do,” Apple explains.

“Clear the microphones. Remove any screen protectors, films, or cases from your iPhone.

“Clear any debris from the openings of your iPhone.

“If you still sound unclear during calls, recordings, or apps, contact Apple Support to discuss service options.”

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