USB-C mics not recognized as audio input after iOS 26 update

Question

Level 1

5 points

USB-C mics not recognized as audio input after iOS 26 update

USB C EXTERNAL MICROPHONE NOT CONNECTING

After updating to iOS 26, external USB-C microphones are powered and detected as USB accessories, but they are no longer recognized as audio input devices.

They DO NOT work in Camera or Voice Memos and iOS continues to use the built-in microphone instead.

This affects multiple external microphones and is not device-specific.

The same microphones work correctly on macOS and Android.

This microphones worked flawless before iOS 26 but now I have the same issue on multiple Iphones - it's not a hardware issue.

Is this a known issue or an intentional change in how iOS handles external USB-C audio input?

iPhone 17 Pro, iOS 26

Posted on Jan 15, 2026 9:36 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

taher253 Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 15, 2026 11:06 AM in response to lkrupp

Thanks for the reply.

I already tried every thing you mentioned and other things.

The mics I used HollyLand Mk2 and A1 both worked on Iphones before the IOS 26 update.

Now I'm on IOS 26.2 the issue is there - tried on multiple Iphone 17 pro and Iphone 16 and it's the same problem after the update.

It's not a hardware thing, the microphones work on Mac and other Android phones...

I have contacted the manufacturer (HollyLand) and got this reply:

"Yes, we are aware of this issue with newer iOS versions. Unfortunately this is an issue with Apple's firmware and there has not yet been discovered a solution from our side.

For now the only recommendation is to try updating to other iOS versions and trying to make Apple aware of this issue.

You can try contacting their support to maybe get some recommendations.

We are working on trying to find a solution!"

So.. here I am...

Reply

Answer 2

lkrupp

Level 7

22,723 points

Jan 15, 2026 9:52 AM in response to taher253

Well, if it were a known issue affecting everyone then all of the audio universe would be up in arms and screaming at Apple from the mountaintop. They are not.

iOS 26 introduced a new security feature that blocks wired USB devices from connecting unless you the user okay it.

Start by restarting your iPhone to see if the issues clears. If not then...

Settings->Privacy & Security->Wired Accessories->set to Always Allow. See if the mic starts working. If you don’t see that setting make sure you are updated to iOS 26.2. That setting was greyed out in earlier version of iOS 26 because of a bug.

Also check Settings->Privacy & Security->Microphone->and make sure the app you want to use the mic on is enabled.

Reply

Answer 3

lkrupp

Level 7

22,723 points

Jan 31, 2026 6:14 PM in response to RWDiBacco

RWDiBacco wrote:

Nope. You must think we’re dumb. NONE of that works. It’s an Apple issue!

So read my last post. If it’s an Apple issue then there’s nothing you can do but hope and wait for a fix, right? So what do you plan to do? Enlighten us.

Reply

Answer 4

lkrupp

Level 7

22,723 points

Jan 15, 2026 12:37 PM in response to taher253

And so you wait as you cannot downgrade iOS 26 to the previous version. Sucks. When iOS 26.3 drops hope for the fix.

Reply

Answer 5

Jan 31, 2026 2:55 PM in response to lkrupp

Nope. You must think we’re dumb. NONE of that works. It’s an Apple issue!

Reply