Mic-Lock addresses a frustrating and common issue for Google Pixel phone users, especially those who have had their screens replaced. During screen replacement procedures, the bottom microphone can sometimes become damaged or disconnected, causing apps like WhatsApp, voice recorders, and video calling applications to record silence instead of actual audio.
This app was specifically invented to fix this issue by running discreetly in the background and automatically rerouting all audio recording from other apps to a working microphone (typically the earpiece microphone). The solution is battery-efficient because it uses minimal processing power to maintain the correct audio path without storing or analyzing any audio data, and intelligently steps aside when other apps need to record.
Join the closed testing program on Google Play to download and receive updates automatically:
- Send me your email to
dan8oren@gmail.comand request to join the testing 🙏 This will help deploy MicLock in the Google Play Store for everyone! - Quick email links: open native OS email | open Gmail on web
- After that, you can download the app from here:
- Download the latest stable APK from the Releases page.
- Enable “Install from Unknown Sources” in your device settings if prompted (standard for sideloaded apps).
- Install the downloaded APK file.
- Grant microphone and notification permissions when the app first launches.
git clone https://github.com/Dan8Oren/MicLock.git
cd MicLock
./gradlew assembleRelease- Launch the app and complete the initial permission requests.
- Tap "Start" to activate microphone protection.
- Test with WhatsApp or another app by recording a voice message or making a call.
- Enjoy working audio! The app runs silently in the background, continuously safeguarding your microphone access.
Mic-Lock acts as a "polite background holder" that:
- Detects Faulty Microphone: Identifies when the default microphone path is compromised (typically the bottom mic on Pixel devices).
- Secures Working Mic: Establishes and holds a connection to your device's working earpiece microphone array in a battery-efficient manner.
- Intelligent Screen Management: Uses configurable delays (default 1.3 seconds) before re-activating when screen turns on, preventing unnecessary battery drain during brief interactions like checking notifications.
- Graceful Handover: When other apps start recording, Mic-Lock gracefully releases its hold.
- Correct Path Inheritance: The other app then inherits the correctly routed audio path to the functional microphone instead of defaulting to the broken one.
- Seamless Experience: Your recordings and calls work perfectly without manual intervention!
Mic-Lock is built with user privacy and security as core principles:
- The app does not collect, store, or transmit any personal data.
- All audio management happens locally on your device.
- Only essential permissions (microphone and notifications) are requested.
- No network access is required; Mic-Lock works entirely offline.
- The entire codebase is open source and available for review.
For full details, please see:
If you have questions or wish to report a vulnerability, consult the guides above or open an issue in the repository.
For even easier access, Mic-Lock includes a Quick Settings tile.
- Add the Tile: Pull down your notification shade, enter edit mode, and drag the "MicLock" tile to your active tiles.
- One-Tap Control:
- Tap to Start/Stop: Instantly activate or deactivate microphone protection.
- See Status: The tile's icon changes to show you if the service is On (active), Off (inactive), or Paused (another app is using the mic).
- AudioRecord Mode: (Default) More battery-efficient, optimized for most modern devices. If you experience high battery usage, switch to this mode.
- MediaRecorder Mode: Offers wider compatibility, especially on older or more problematic devices, but might use slightly more battery.
- Screen-On Delay: Configurable delay (0-5000ms, default 1.3 seconds) before re-activating microphone when screen turns on. This prevents unnecessary battery drain during brief screen interactions like checking notifications or battery level. Set to 0 for immediate activation.
Q: The app doesn't seem to work, or audio is still silent. A: The most common fix is to switch between MediaRecorder Mode and AudioRecord Mode in the app's settings.
For more detailed solutions, device-specific fixes, and advanced diagnostics, please see the full Troubleshooting Guide.
We welcome all contributions from the community! Your help is valuable, whether you're a developer or a user providing feedback.
Here are a few ways you can contribute to making MicLock better for everyone:
- Report a Bug: If you find something that isn't working correctly, please submit a bug report.
- Share Device Feedback: Does MicLock work on your phone? Help us build a compatibility list by submitting a device report.
- Suggest a Feature: Have a great idea for a new feature? We'd love to hear it! Suggest a new feature.
- Improve Documentation: If you find a typo or think a section in our documentation could be clearer, feel free to open an issue or submit a pull request.
For code contributions and more detailed guidelines, please see our CONTRIBUTING.md.
This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for full details.
For developers and those interested in the technical implementation, architecture, problem-solving approach, and detailed behavioral specifications, refer to the DEV_SPECS.md file. This document provides deep insights into the app's internal logic and design decisions.
Supported Android Versions: Android 7.0 (API 24) and above Tested Devices:
- Google Pixel 7 Pro (primary development and testing device).
- Google Pixel 7
- Google Pixel 8
Compatibility with other devices is expected but may require adjustments or specific mode selections (AudioRecord/MediaRecorder).