# Merlin bird id microphone problems **URL:** \ **Category:** System and Apps\ **Tags:** Fairphone5\ **Created:** [16 March 2026 12:08 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/merlin-bird-id-microphone-problems/7878 "2026-03-16T12:08:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![taus](https://community.iode.tech/user_avatar/community.iode.tech/taus/32/2663_2.png) [@taus](https://community.iode.tech/u/taus)\ **Post date:** [16 March 2026 12:08 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/merlin-bird-id-microphone-problems/7878/1 "2026-03-16T12:08:32Z")
The Merlin Bird id app is unable to connect the microphone in FP5. The microphone works, telephone and other recorders. Permission also ok. Informed Merlin. My previous FP4 worked perfectly. IodeOS 7.3 Merlin Bird id, v. 3.10 ---
**Author:** ![rik](https://community.iode.tech/user_avatar/community.iode.tech/rik/32/1437_2.png) [@rik](https://community.iode.tech/u/rik)\ **Post date:** [16 March 2026 17:05 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/merlin-bird-id-microphone-problems/7878/2 "2026-03-16T17:05:43Z")
> [@taus](#): > > My previous FP4 worked perfectly. What OS? ---
**Author:** ![taus](https://community.iode.tech/user_avatar/community.iode.tech/taus/32/2663_2.png) [@taus](https://community.iode.tech/u/taus)\ **Post date:** [16 March 2026 17:50 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/merlin-bird-id-microphone-problems/7878/3 "2026-03-16T17:50:59Z")
Same as noe, IodeOS. ---
**Author:** ![rik](https://community.iode.tech/user_avatar/community.iode.tech/rik/32/1437_2.png) [@rik](https://community.iode.tech/u/rik)\ **Post date:** [16 March 2026 18:50 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/merlin-bird-id-microphone-problems/7878/4 "2026-03-16T18:50:26Z")
> [@taus](#): > > Same as now, IodeOS OK so a different FP4, right? How long ago (trying to figure out approximately what iodéOS version)? Was it maybe an older version of Merlin? Could an older version of Merlin be found and manually installed to test? Also, maybe something from the iodé blocker is at play here? Can you check the “Stream” to see if anything from Merlin is getting blocked? You may possibly disable it for Merlin then try again? ---
**Author:** ![taus](https://community.iode.tech/user_avatar/community.iode.tech/taus/32/2663_2.png) [@taus](https://community.iode.tech/u/taus)\ **Post date:** [16 March 2026 19:57 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/merlin-bird-id-microphone-problems/7878/5 "2026-03-16T19:57:18Z")
Merlin was at the same version as current. It’s just weeks ago. Can’t be blocking either, I checked. Appreciate your feedback. Hopefully the Merlin developers can help. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![taus](https://community.iode.tech/user_avatar/community.iode.tech/taus/32/2663_2.png) [@taus](https://community.iode.tech/u/taus)\ **Post date:** [22 March 2026 13:11 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/merlin-bird-id-microphone-problems/7878/6 "2026-03-22T13:11:12Z")
Perhaps worth mentioning that FP4 runs Android 15 while my FP5 runs Android 16. Anyone with a FP5, android 16 care to check the Merlin Bird id app, it’s free? Just check if it record anything. It’s pretty straight forward. Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![dyedbird](https://community.iode.tech/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/c37758/32.png) [@dyedbird](https://community.iode.tech/u/dyedbird)\ **Post date:** [24 March 2026 23:54 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/merlin-bird-id-microphone-problems/7878/7 "2026-03-24T23:54:54Z")
I have never used Merlin but in F-Droid there is whoBird as well. This might be a good opportunity give it a try in case if you have not yet… ---
**Author:** ![taus](https://community.iode.tech/user_avatar/community.iode.tech/taus/32/2663_2.png) [@taus](https://community.iode.tech/u/taus)\ **Post date:** [25 March 2026 11:34 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/merlin-bird-id-microphone-problems/7878/8 "2026-03-25T11:34:31Z")
Thanks, but I’ll rather wait for a fix. ---
**Author:** ![rik](https://community.iode.tech/user_avatar/community.iode.tech/rik/32/1437_2.png) [@rik](https://community.iode.tech/u/rik)\ **Post date:** [25 March 2026 14:51 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/merlin-bird-id-microphone-problems/7878/9 "2026-03-25T14:51:52Z")
I just tried Merlin (with my throw-away email address 🙂 ), as well as WhoBird. Both are able to record and identify birds, but this is on a Pixel 7 Pro, also at iodéOS 7.3 as you are. Black Capped Chickadees, Northern Cardinals, and Robins all detected here in “not fully spring yet but awfully close Minnesota” 🙂 So I guess this points to it not being a system-wide issue? ---
**Author:** ![taus](https://community.iode.tech/user_avatar/community.iode.tech/taus/32/2663_2.png) [@taus](https://community.iode.tech/u/taus)\ **Post date:** [25 March 2026 16:07 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/merlin-bird-id-microphone-problems/7878/10 "2026-03-25T16:07:46Z")
Thank you @rik grateful for your help! At least we’re a bit closer to an explanation. I don’t know what could be the difference in terms of micro-phones btwn Pixel and Fairphone 5. Anyway, if there’s somebody who really needs spring, it must you the brutally tested people of Minnesota. A good friend in Minneapolis told me horrible stuff. Keep safe. In south Norway spring is slowly coming. ---
**Author:** ![rik](https://community.iode.tech/user_avatar/community.iode.tech/rik/32/1437_2.png) [@rik](https://community.iode.tech/u/rik)\ **Post date:** [27 March 2026 16:05 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/merlin-bird-id-microphone-problems/7878/11 "2026-03-27T16:05:06Z")
> [@taus](#): > > I don’t know what could be the difference in terms of micro-phones btwn Pixel and Fairphone 5. Can you please check “System Settings \> Security & privacy \> Privacy controls \> Permission manager \> Microphone” and confirm that “Merlin” has access allowed while in use? I guess probably easier is to look at “App Info \> Permissions” and you can see the last time it accessed your microphone. Does any time show there? ---
**Author:** ![taus](https://community.iode.tech/user_avatar/community.iode.tech/taus/32/2663_2.png) [@taus](https://community.iode.tech/u/taus)\ **Post date:** [27 March 2026 16:25 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/merlin-bird-id-microphone-problems/7878/12 "2026-03-27T16:25:46Z")
Hi rik, Thanks for getting back. I can confirm that microphone is allowed for Merlin. I checked that permission almost immediately after the recording didn’t work. Sorry, but thanks for helping! ---
**Author:** ![rik](https://community.iode.tech/user_avatar/community.iode.tech/rik/32/1437_2.png) [@rik](https://community.iode.tech/u/rik)\ **Post date:** [30 March 2026 15:21 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/merlin-bird-id-microphone-problems/7878/13 "2026-03-30T15:21:50Z")
Yes I recall that you said the permission was enabled, but also does it report that the Microphone was accessed at all? It should list the most recent time it was used and I am wondering if that is showing anything. ---
**Author:** ![taus](https://community.iode.tech/user_avatar/community.iode.tech/taus/32/2663_2.png) [@taus](https://community.iode.tech/u/taus)\ **Post date:** [30 March 2026 15:42 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/merlin-bird-id-microphone-problems/7878/14 "2026-03-30T15:42:47Z")
Hi rik, Once more thanks for helping. As from the screen dump, App permissions, it reports when it’s been used. Still, no sound waves show up. Not sure what to make of this??? Switched to US language…. ![Screenshot_20260330-174113_Merlin Bird ID](https://community.iode.tech/uploads/default/original/2X/e/e21293ff419b737348eeba8d407a4dc324d07c0d.jpeg) ![Screenshot_20260330-174128_Merlin Bird ID](https://community.iode.tech/uploads/default/original/2X/8/85b3ff46d77099f5fefb5ad1c5362108193b48af.png) ![Screenshot_20260330-173358_Innstillinger](https://community.iode.tech/uploads/default/original/2X/0/051da4dd5d91b82b41354c5fe638cb465d3923a9.png) ---
**Author:** ![rik](https://community.iode.tech/user_avatar/community.iode.tech/rik/32/1437_2.png) [@rik](https://community.iode.tech/u/rik)\ **Post date:** [1 April 2026 03:30 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/merlin-bird-id-microphone-problems/7878/15 "2026-04-01T03:30:37Z")
@taus there are some new threads here on Fairphone 5 issues _with some apps_, in one case it was “solved” by reinstalling FairphoneOS “not the newest version” then reinstalling iodéOS: [Fairphone 5 – problem with calls – no sound / no microphone - #7 by chef](https://community.iode.tech/t/fairphone-5-problem-with-calls-no-sound-no-microphone/7628/7) I am not suggesting you take this drastic step, just noting there are others with the FP5 experiencing “weird” microphone issues. ---
**Author:** ![taus](https://community.iode.tech/user_avatar/community.iode.tech/taus/32/2663_2.png) [@taus](https://community.iode.tech/u/taus)\ **Post date:** [1 April 2026 07:39 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/merlin-bird-id-microphone-problems/7878/16 "2026-04-01T07:39:49Z")
At least there is a confirmation. Thanks again. ---
**Author:** ![taus](https://community.iode.tech/user_avatar/community.iode.tech/taus/32/2663_2.png) [@taus](https://community.iode.tech/u/taus)\ **Post date:** [11 May 2026 20:08 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/merlin-bird-id-microphone-problems/7878/17 "2026-05-11T20:08:47Z")
Hi rik, Any news regarding the microphone issues? Tore ---
**Author:** ![rik](https://community.iode.tech/user_avatar/community.iode.tech/rik/32/1437_2.png) [@rik](https://community.iode.tech/u/rik)\ **Post date:** [12 May 2026 20:12 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/merlin-bird-id-microphone-problems/7878/18 "2026-05-12T20:12:27Z")
I still don’t see any other problem reports. It is the strangest issue but if we can’t get any other confirmations then it is not easy to know where to go next. The above link I gave with the user that seemened to “solve” the problem by a reinstall isn’t a nice answer, and I honestly am a bit skeptical it would solve anything, but I don’t know what else to suggest. The Fairphone forum may be a place to look around some more and maybe see if you can find others that can reproduce the issue: [https://forum.fairphone.com/](https://forum.fairphone.com/) ---
**Author:** ![taus](https://community.iode.tech/user_avatar/community.iode.tech/taus/32/2663_2.png) [@taus](https://community.iode.tech/u/taus)\ **Post date:** [12 May 2026 21:07 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/merlin-bird-id-microphone-problems/7878/19 "2026-05-12T21:07:51Z")
Thank you rik! This seems hopeless I’m afraid. According to the forums you listed this microphone issue seems be well known and for years! I must confess I contemplate switching back to my FP4. Thanks again. Tore ---
**Author:** ![rik](https://community.iode.tech/user_avatar/community.iode.tech/rik/32/1437_2.png) [@rik](https://community.iode.tech/u/rik)\ **Post date:** [13 May 2026 17:18 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/merlin-bird-id-microphone-problems/7878/20 "2026-05-13T17:18:10Z")
> [@taus](#): > > According to the forums you listed this microphone issue seems be well known and for years! Really? So were you seeing it to be “well known for a subset of users”? Or do _all FP5 users_ have this problem I wonder? If you wouldn’t mind providing links to the relevant discussions I will then consider renaming this thread, with a comment at the top that it is broader than Merlin, instead related to _several?_ apps and microphone permissions on the FP5? [Next page](https://community.iode.tech/t/merlin-bird-id-microphone-problems/7878.md?page=2)