My iPhone 12 Pro Max does not recognise my Sennheiser MKE 400 in the Blackmagic Camera App. Instead it offers "Headphones" as an extra audio source (?) when I plus in the mic, which seems to work OK. But it doesn't say Sennheiser MKE 400. Should I be worried..?
iPhone 12 Pro Max, iOS 26
... and you are right about the Lighting vs. USB-C ports used on iPhones.
What you’re seeing is actually normal behavior on Lightning-based iPhones, and it usually isn’t a problem. iOS often identifies any analog TRRS headset-style input (mic + headphone combo) generically as a “Headset” or “Headphones” device rather than by the microphone’s brand or model. The Sennheiser MKE 400 connects via a TRRS analog interface when using the 3.5 mm path through Apple’s Lightning-to-3.5 mm adapter, so the system doesn’t have a digital handshake that exposes a specific device name. Apps like Blackmagic Camera simply report whatever label iOS provides.
This is different from USB audio devices or newer USB-C iPhones, where the mic may enumerate as a distinct USB audio interface with a recognizable name. On Lightning models, the analog audio is converted by the Apple dongle’s internal DAC/ADC and presented as a generic headset input. Because of that, seeing “Headphones” in the Blackmagic Camera app is expected and does not indicate a malfunction — especially if levels respond correctly and audio records cleanly.
... and you are right about the Lighting vs. USB-C ports used on iPhones.
What you’re seeing is actually normal behavior on Lightning-based iPhones, and it usually isn’t a problem. iOS often identifies any analog TRRS headset-style input (mic + headphone combo) generically as a “Headset” or “Headphones” device rather than by the microphone’s brand or model. The Sennheiser MKE 400 connects via a TRRS analog interface when using the 3.5 mm path through Apple’s Lightning-to-3.5 mm adapter, so the system doesn’t have a digital handshake that exposes a specific device name. Apps like Blackmagic Camera simply report whatever label iOS provides.
This is different from USB audio devices or newer USB-C iPhones, where the mic may enumerate as a distinct USB audio interface with a recognizable name. On Lightning models, the analog audio is converted by the Apple dongle’s internal DAC/ADC and presented as a generic headset input. Because of that, seeing “Headphones” in the Blackmagic Camera app is expected and does not indicate a malfunction — especially if levels respond correctly and audio records cleanly.
You can try a quick cross-check: open Voice Memos or another recording app and verify that plugging in the mic switches audio input away from the internal microphone. If every app behaves the same way (generic “headphones” label but correct audio capture), that confirms it’s just an iOS device-identification limitation rather than a Blackmagic Camera app issue.
That would be a great question to pose to the support folks for this Blackmagic Camera app.
I have put it to them. They don’t know why. It could be bcos of the lightning connection on the iPhone 12 Pro Max, prior to the intro of USB connectivity. Just guessing. Seems to work fine even tho the BM Camera App says “Heaphones” for the audio source..🫤
Thanks for that. Yes. and the mic itself works fine…
Blackmagic Camera App and External Mic on iPhone 12 Pro Max
