Connect external mic to your mobile device

«To Mobile App: Overview

The sections below explain how to use an external microphone when recording on a mobile device. Some behavior depends on the operating system you’re using.

iOS 26 and later

On iOS 26 and later, Riverside gives you more control over your audio when using an external microphone. You can see and switch which microphone is being used, and you can use Bluetooth headphones for audio output while recording with a wired or USB external microphone.

For details on viewing and switching microphones on iOS 26, see Choose an external microphone on iOS.

Using headphones with an external mic

When recording with an external microphone on a mobile device, headphone requirements depend on the operating system.

On Android and on iOS 25 and earlier, you must use wired headphones when recording with an external microphone. Bluetooth headphones cannot be used at the same time due to mobile device constraints.

External mic compatibility on mobile devices

The setups below use wired headphones and adapters. Bluetooth headphone behavior depends on the operating system.

External mic and wired headphone setup	iPhone and iPad with Lightning port	iPhone and iPad with USB-C port	Android with USB-C port
Wired headphones with a built-in microphone
External 3.5 mm wired mic and wired headphones (requires a TRRS splitter)
USB microphone with wired headphones
Lighting-only microphone

You can always test your microphone's compatibility with Riverside.

• Using TRRS splitters

  To record audio in the Riverside iOS app or Android app with an external 3.5 mm microphone, it must be connected to the device using a TRRS splitter. The splitter divides the audio input and output, which allows you to use headphones with the microphone.

  IMPORTANT: 
  On iOS 25 and earlier, and on Android, you cannot use both Bluetooth headphones and a connected microphone with the Riverside mobile app due to mobile device constraints.

  

  With devices that have a USB-C port, you can connect a USB microphone instead.

  Steps for iOS

  1. Open the Riverside iOS app.
  2. Connect a Lightning to 3.5 mm headphone jack adapter to your iOS device.
     (Use a USB-C to 3.5 mm adapter if your iPad has a USB-C port.)
  3. Connect a TRRS splitter to the Lightning to 3.5 mm jeadphone jack adapter. 
  4. Connect the external 3.5 mm microphone to the mic input of the TRRS splitter.
  5. Connect wired headphones to the audio output of the TRRS splitter.

  

  Steps for Android

  1. Open the Riverside Android app.
  2. Connect a USB-C to 3.5 mm headphone jack adapter to your device.
  3. Connect a TRRS splitter to the USB-C to 3.5 mm headphone jack adapter. 
  4. Connect the external 3.5 mm microphone to the mic input of the TRRS splitter.
  5. Connect wired headphones to the audio output of the TRRS splitter.

  

• Connect USB mic and headphones to mobile

  Using the right equipment, you can connect certain USB microphones to specific mobile devices and record with Riverside.

  If you do not have a device with a USB-C port, you can also use a mini jack 3.5 mm mic with a TRRS splitter and adapter, if necessary.

  IMPORTANT: 
  Bluetooth headphone support depends on the operating system.
  On iOS 26 and later, you can use Bluetooth headphones for audio output while using an external microphone.
  On Android and iOS 25 and earlier, wired headphones are required.

  Android

  • Use an Android device with a USB-C port
  • Use a USB microphone with a headphone port (3.5 mm monitor output)
    (See the examples below)
    1. Open the Riverside Android app and connect to a Studio.
    2. On the Lobby screen where you preview your video, connect the microphone with a USB-C cable or use a USB-C to USB-A adapter.
    3. Connect wired headphones to the microphone's monitoring port.
    4. Tap Join.
       

  iOS

  • Use an iPhone or iPad that has a USB-C port.
  • Use a USB microphone with a headphone port (3.5 mm monitor output)
    (See the examples below)
    1. Open the Riverside iOS app and connect to a Studio.
    2. On the Lobby screen where you preview your video, connect the microphone to the iPad or iPhone directly with a USB-C cable or use a USB-C to USB-A adapter.
    3. Tap Join.

    4. In the Wired connection pop-up, tap No.
       Or, in the Are you connecting a pair of headphones pop-up, tap Headphones.
        

    5. Connect wired headphones to the microphone.
       

  If you have a USB microphone that does not have a headphone port or you cannot wear headphones, tap Yes in step 4 to start Speak/Listen mode, which plays Studio audio through the device's speakers.

  Example USB microphones

  •  
    • Shure MV7
    • Samson Q2U
    • Audio Technica ATR2100x-USB

Learn more

• Best Practices for Recording on a Mobile Device
• Equipment Index: Microphones
• Troubleshooting: External USB microphones
• Best Recording Kits for iPhone, iPad, Android, & PC (Riverside YouTube Channel)