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During a supported call or recording, open Control Center, tap the app's controls and choose Voice Isolation under Audio & Video. The mode applies to that app; a saved recording may require its own separate cleanup.
To turn on Voice Isolation on iPhone, start a supported call or recording, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center, tap the current app's controls, and choose Voice Isolation under Audio & Video. Apple says the mode prioritizes your voice and reduces ambient sound. The selected mode applies to the app you are using and persists for that app until changed.
Availability depends on your iPhone, iOS version and app. Apple's Mic Mode instructions are the source for the steps and requirements below; interface labels may change as iOS updates.
Turn on Voice Isolation during a call
- Start the call. Use a supported phone, FaceTime or third-party calling app. In some supported apps, Apple says the mode can also be changed before the call.
- Open Control Center. Swipe down from the top-right corner while the call is active.
- Open the app controls. Tap the control labeled for the app, such as Phone Controls.
- Choose Voice Isolation. Under Audio & Video, select Voice Isolation. Ask the other person whether your voice remains clear and test with the actual background sound.
To turn it off, return to the same controls and choose Standard, or another mode supported by the app. Apple says Automatic can choose different modes according to the situation; it is not the same as explicitly selecting Voice Isolation for every call.
Why can't I find Voice Isolation?
| Check | What Apple documents | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Device | Voice Isolation is supported on iPhone XR, XS models and later. | Confirm your model and consult Apple's current compatibility list. |
| Phone calls | Voice Isolation requires iOS 16.4 or later for a phone call. | Check the installed iOS version and test during an active call. |
| FaceTime and certain third-party calls | Apple lists iOS 15 or later for FaceTime audio/video and certain third-party apps. | Check whether the specific app supports the control. |
| Supported recording apps | Apple lists iOS 26 or later for audio/video recording apps such as Voice Memos and certain third-party apps. | Open the supported app and test a recording; don't assume all recording apps expose the mode. |
If the app controls are absent, make sure a supported call or recording is active and consult the app's documentation. A connected microphone or audio device can change the input being used; Apple's guide describes checking Audio Input in app controls when multiple devices are connected. Availability and appearance can vary.
Voice Isolation vs Standard, Automatic and Wide Spectrum
Standard uses standard voice processing. Voice Isolation prioritizes your voice over ambient noise. Wide Spectrum leaves ambient noise unfiltered where supported; Apple says it is not available for phone calls. Automatic, available on supported devices with iOS 18 or later, chooses a mode based on the situation. If the surrounding sounds are part of what you want the other person to hear, compare the available modes with them rather than assuming isolation is always preferable.
Does Voice Isolation clean an existing video or voice memo?
Turning on a microphone mode does not retroactively edit a file already saved. For a new recording in a supported app, test the saved file itself. Apple's Local Capture guidance notes that Voice Isolation does not apply to a Local Capture recording, so do not assume the call's live processing is present in every recording.
For a compatible iPhone video, Photos may offer a separate Audio Mix workflow; the iPhone video noise guide explains its recording and device requirements. Audio Mix and the live Mic Mode are different controls.
If a saved recording still has competing music or noise, the Saturalabs voice isolator can test an uploaded MP3, WAV, MP4 or MOV up to 50 MiB. Describe the spoken voice and review Isolated sound. It is an estimate: noise can remain and quiet words can change. AI WAV downloads require an account and sufficient credits; the service does not control the iPhone microphone during a live call.
How can I improve the result?
Move away from a fan or other noise when practical, keep the microphone close enough to capture clear speech, and test with your usual headset or speakerphone. Listen to a short recording or ask a call participant about quiet words as well as background noise. The microphone noise guide covers placement, input levels and live suppression checks.