Microphone faults on the Galaxy S26+ are the most reported One UI 8.5 problem on Samsung's forums, and the pattern is specific: the phone's own microphone works, but the microphone fails when something else is connected. Owners describe a Bluetooth microphone that stops working randomly in calls on earbuds, people who cannot hear them in Teams, WhatsApp and the Phone app, and audio that works in one direction only. These happen when the call needs the microphone and the audio at once, which is the case for calls. Test the phone's own microphone with the Voice Recorder first.
If it records clearly, the hardware is fine and the fault is the Bluetooth link or the call app. Try the call with Bluetooth off, then with the earbuds only. Clearing the Bluetooth cache, forgetting and re-pairing the earbuds, and updating the earbuds' firmware were the fixes owners reported. A newer update may have solved it, so check Software update. If the other person hears an echo or a robotic sound, the Bluetooth hands-free profile is at fault, and switching the call audio to the phone's own speaker or earpiece for that call confirms it. Check also that the earbuds are not connected to a second device, such as a laptop, that steals the microphone.
Differential
Likely causes of “Samsung Galaxy S26+ microphone is quiet, muffled or not working”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A Bluetooth microphone link dropping
What separates it Callers cannot hear you only with earbuds connected
How to confirm Forget the earbuds, clear the Bluetooth cache and pair again
- 2
A call app and audio route conflict
What separates it One-way audio in Teams or WhatsApp
How to confirm Test the call with Bluetooth off, then update the call app
- 3
Earbud firmware out of date
What separates it The microphone drops randomly
How to confirm Update the earbuds' firmware in their app
- 4
Noise suppression clipping
What separates it Quiet voices are cut
How to confirm Turn off noise suppression in the call app
- 5
A blocked opening or hardware fault
What separates it Voice Recorder is faint or silent
How to confirm Remove the case and brush the openings, then contact Samsung
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether the fault only happens with Bluetooth earbuds
- Which apps fail: Phone, Teams or WhatsApp
- The earbuds' model and firmware
- The One UI version
Try in this order
0 of 8 completedTest the phone's microphone alone
ReversibleRecord a voice memo with Bluetooth off; a clear recording means the hardware is fine.
Call with Bluetooth off
ReversibleMake a call over the phone's own microphone and see whether the other person hears you.
Forget and re-pair the earbuds
ReversibleIn Settings, Connections, Bluetooth, forget the earbuds and pair them again.
Clear the Bluetooth cache
ReversibleSettings, Apps, Show system apps, Bluetooth, Storage, Clear cache, then restart.
Update the earbuds
ReversibleInstall their latest firmware through their app.
Install the newest One UI patch
ReversibleSettings, Software update, since Samsung is fixing 8.5 faults in patches.
Check whether the earbuds are connected elsewhere
ReversibleDisconnect them from any laptop or tablet and try the call again.
Switch the call audio route
ReversibleDuring a call choose the phone's earpiece or speaker to see whether the problem is the Bluetooth route.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- The pattern
- The fault shows when calls use Bluetooth audio and microphone together.
- Earbuds
- Owners of several earbud brands report the same behavior.
- Wired fallback
- A wired headset avoids the Bluetooth path.
- Hands-free profile
- Calls use a different Bluetooth profile from music, with lower quality.
- Other devices
- Earbuds connected to a laptop may keep the microphone.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the phone's own microphone is silent in Voice Recorder, book a warranty repair
- !If only Bluetooth calls fail on current software, report to Samsung and the earbud maker
- !Keep a wired headset for important calls meanwhile
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Owners whose Bluetooth microphone failed in calls after One UI 8.5.
Microphone dropping on earbuds after One UI 8.5.
A list of One UI 8.5 faults and the fixes that owners report.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why can't people hear me through my earbuds on the S26+?+
A Bluetooth microphone problem reported after One UI 8.5.
Does the phone's own microphone still work?+
Usually, yes; test with Voice Recorder.
Which apps are affected?+
Owners name the Phone app, Teams and WhatsApp.
Is a fix coming?+
Check Software update for patches.
Why is there an echo in calls?+
The hands-free profile or a second device.
Why does music sound fine and calls not?+
Music uses a different profile.