What is the strange hole next to my iPad Air camera?

Some models of iPad do indeed have a very small hole in the screen bezel adjacent to the front-facing camera. This is a microphone.

iPad has many microphones that are used for different purposes including noise and echo cancellation. The number of microphones, and their specific location, varies between different iPad models.

An iPad has multiple microphones, each of which has an associated opening - along with speakers and other sensors.

For avoidance of doubt, an iPad is not resistant to any type of liquid. An iPad can be damaged if liquids of any type are permitted to penetrate any openings. A cloth that has been dampened with a cleaning solution will not have sufficient liquid to seep into openings of your iPad.

fitgal72 wrote:

I just purchased one. I wondered the same thing! What about when cleaning the screen? Apple advises rubbing alcohol mixed with equal parts of water to clean devices. Yes, it’s not saturated, but it’s still cleaning go over the microphone.

Apple's cleaning guidance is clear:

"Use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Avoid getting moisture in openings."



How to clean your Apple products - Apple Support

iamtheboxer wrote:

I confirmed my suspicions with Apple. It is the MICROPHONE.

As already explicitly stated in my earlier reply to this thread of 24th March.

Yes, I understand it is the microphone. My comment was solely based on the fact that having an open hole like that leaves it exposed should anything get on it accidentally or when using some type of cleaning solution, even though it’s damp.

Be aware that unlike iPhone, an iPad is not designed to be water resistant. While it may survive being splashed with water if immediately dried, it will almost certainly suffer irreparable damage if it is allowed to get wet - or if moisture gains access to the internal components via open ports (such as the speakers or microphones).

I just purchased one. I wondered the same thing! What about when cleaning the screen? Apple advises rubbing alcohol mixed with equal parts of water to clean devices. Yes, it’s not saturated, but it’s still cleaning go over the microphone.