Using Your Phone as an External Microphone with Google Hangouts

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Are you tired of using built-in computer microphones for video calls? Do you wish there was a way to improve audio quality without breaking the bank? Look no further! In this article, we'll show you how to use your phone's microphone as an external mic on your PC or Mac while still using popular video conferencing platforms like Google Hangouts.

Why Use Your Phone as an External Microphone?

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Using a dedicated external microphone can make all the difference in quality compared to relying solely on built-in computer microphones. Here are just some of the benefits:

* Improved audio clarity: A good-quality external mic can pick up every nuance and detail, resulting in crystal-clear voice quality that's perfect for important business calls or catching up with friends.

* Increased flexibility: With an external microphone connected via a standard 3.5mm jack (or USB), you're not limited to just one device anymore! Simply plug it into your phone, computer, tablet - wherever you need great sound without having any additional cables cluttering things up.

Hardware Requirements

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Before we dive into the setup process, make sure you have these basic hardware requirements:

* A compatible Android or iOS smartphone (with a working microphone)

* An available USB port on your PC (or Lightning cable for Macs if using an older model)

Software Requirements

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In addition to meeting the above-mentioned hardware specifications, ensure that you've downloaded and installed the following software:

1. USB Audio Drivers: These drivers will allow Windows computers to recognize and use external microphones connected via USB.

2. Google Hangouts (if not already installed)

Setting Up Your Phone as an External Microphone

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Now that we've covered the necessary hardware and software requirements, let's move onto setting up your phone for use as a microphone with Google Hangouts.

### Step 1: Download and Install USB Audio Drivers

If you haven't already, download and install the USB Audio Driver from the official website:

(https://www.anycost.com/usb-audio-drivers.html)

Follow the installation instructions provided in the downloaded .exe or .dmg file to complete this step.

### Step 2: Connect Your Phone via USB

Once you've installed the necessary drivers, connect your phone to your computer using a standard Micro-USB cable (or Lightning cable for newer iPhones).

### Step 3: Launch Google Hangouts and Configure Settings

1. Open Google Hangouts on both your computer and mobile device.

2. On your computer:

* Click the gear icon in the top right corner of the Hangout window.

* Select 'Video settings' from the dropdown menu.

### Step Microphone Selection

In this section, you'll need to select your phone as an external microphone:

* Ensure that Built-in Mic is selected under Microphones.

* Click on the gear icon next to it and then choose USB Audio Device (or iPhone/iPad Camera) from the list.

### Step Test Your Setup

To test whether everything is working correctly, click on this link:

If you hear your own voice through speakers or headphones connected to your computer and see a green circle next to 'Mic' in Hangout's video settings window, congratulations! You've successfully set up your phone as an external microphone for Google Hangouts.

Trouleshooting Tips

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* If you're experiencing issues with audio not being picked up properly:

* Ensure that the volume on both your computer and mobile device is turned up to a comfortable level.

* Try restarting Hangouts or disconnecting/reconnecting your phone's USB cable.

* For Mac users: Make sure USB Audio Device appears under Output in System Preferences > Sound > Output.

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In conclusion, using your smartphone as an external microphone for video calls with Google Hangouts is a simple yet effective way to improve audio quality without breaking the bank. By following these step-by-step instructions and ensuring you have all necessary hardware and software requirements met, you'll be enjoying crystal-clear voice quality in no time!

Have any questions or encountered issues during setup? Leave them below in the comments section!

Wo mic for pc google hangout