How to Use Spatial Audio and Change Mic Modes in FaceTime

Co-authored by Sam Browning

Last Updated: October 11, 2021

Have you noticed that group FaceTime calls sound a little bit different? Are you worried about background noise coming through on an important FaceTime call? With new features like spatial audio and different microphone modes, iPhone users can customize the audio on FaceTime calls to fit their needs. This wikiHow article will teach you how to manipulate your FaceTime audio and understand the new spatial audio feature.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:
Changing Mic Modes

1
Open FaceTime or join a FaceTime call. After opening the FaceTime app or getting on a FaceTime call, you will be able to change your mic mode.
- Different mic modes are also available for some other apps that use your microphone like Snapchat.
2
Open Control Center. To open Control Center, swipe down and left from the top right corner of your screen.
3
Tap Mic Mode. After you tap Mic Mode in the top right of the screen, a list of different audio modes will appear.^{[1]
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4
Select a microphone mode. Choose between Standard, Voice Isolation, and Wide Spectrum modes.
- Standard is the default mic mode used by your phone.
- Voice Isolation will block out sounds in your surroundings, focusing on your voice alone.
- Wide Spectrum does not filter sounds out; it conveys your voice and all the sounds around you.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:
Playing with Spatial Audio

1
Start or join a group FaceTime call. When starting or joining a call, be sure there are at least three people (including yourself). Otherwise, spatial audio will not be in effect.
- Spatial audio attempts to simulate the way an in-person conversation sounds. It does so by adjusting the audio for each person on the call so it seems to be coming from the direction they are positioned on the screen.
2
Listen to sound from several other people. Spatial audio is enabled by default on FaceTime, so listen for the differences in audio based on the positioning of the people on screen.
3
Press and drag people to move their squares. By moving people around, you dynamically change how they sound. Now you can use this tool to arrange people and manipulate the audio in a way that is comfortable for you.