Voice search and assistant Alice have become an integral part of the everyday use of smartphones based on Android. Users are accustomed to asking questions, dictating messages, or controlling music with their voice, which significantly speeds up interaction with the device. However, a situation often arises when, when trying to pronounce a command, the system simply ignores the user or displays an access error. This is usually due to the fact that the necessary permissions for microphone were not granted to the application or were accidentally revoked by the security system.
The problem of no sound during voice input can be caused not only by the settings of the browser itself, but also by global restrictions operating system. In modern versions of Android, starting with the tenth, privacy management has become more strict, and access to sensitive sensors, such as microphone or the camera, requires explicit confirmation from the smartphone owner. If you clicked "Deny" when you first started it or after updating the system, the voice search function will stop working correctly.
In this article we will look in detail at all the ways to return voice control to working condition. We'll look at the settings inside the application itself Yandex Browser, Android system parameters, as well as specific settings for the widget on the home screen. Follow the instructions sequentially to fix the problem and enjoy the convenience of voice input again.
Checking permissions in Android settings
The most common reason for a non-working microphone lies in the system privacy settings. The operating system Android has a centralized rights manager where you can see which applications are allowed to use audio devices. First, you need to go to the general settings of your smartphone, usually this is the gear icon in the application menu or in the notification shade.
In the settings menu, find the section responsible for security or applications. Depending on the device model and shell version (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS, etc.), the names may differ, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the item Applications or Application Manager, where a complete list of installed software is presented. Here it is important to find exactly the application through which you are trying to use voice search.
- 🔍 Find in the list Yandex Browser or Yandex with Alice and click on it.
- 🎤 Go to the section
Permissions(Permissions). - 📢 Select the item Microphone and set the value to "Allow" or "Allow only while in use."
Please note that in some versions of Android there is an option "Ask every time". If it is selected, the system will ask for confirmation every time you start voice search, which can be inconvenient. It's better to choose a permanent resolution if you trust the application. After changing the setting, try activating voice input again.
⚠️ Attention: If after enabling the permission the microphone still does not work, check whether the "Calls Only" or "Silent" mode is activated in the system, which can block access to audio for third-party applications at the system level.
Setting up voice input inside the Yandex Browser
In addition to system restrictions, the application Yandex Browser has its own internal settings that regulate the operation of the voice assistant. Even if the system is given permission, the function may be disabled or configured incorrectly within the app. Open the browser and go to the main menu by clicking on the three dots or bars in the lower or upper corner of the screen.
In the menu that opens, select Settings. Scroll down to the section related to voice features. It may be called "Voice Assistant", "Alice" or "Voice Typing". Make sure the switch next to the function is active. In some browser builds, you need to additionally enable the option Voice search in the general settings section.
It is also worth checking the settings of a specific widget if you use the search bar on the main screen. A long press on the Yandex widget can open the quick settings menu, where there is also a checkbox for using a microphone. If you updated the application to the latest version, the interface may have changed, so carefully examine all the tabs in the settings section.
If you are using a headset or connected Bluetooth headphones, make sure that in the Bluetooth settings the "Headset" or "Audio" profile is selected, and not just "Media", otherwise the headphone microphone will not transmit sound to the application.
Working with the widget Yandex on the main screen
Many users activate voice search not through the app icon, but through a widget on the desktop. This widget is a separate process that also requires individual permission settings. If you click on the microphone icon in the widget and nothing happens, the problem may be in the rights of this particular interface element.
For diagnostics (long press) on the Yandex widget on the main screen. In the context menu that appears, select the item About the application or the icon i in a circle. This action will take you to the system menu for managing that particular widget. Here the procedure is similar to setting up the main application: you need to check the section Permissions.
⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones with the MIUI shell, widgets are often considered by the system as separate entities. Make sure that microphone permission is granted for both the main application and the Yandex.Widget widget.
Sometimes removing the widget from the screen and adding it again helps. When reinstalling, the system may request permissions again, which will allow erroneous settings to be reset. Just delete the widget, pinch an empty space on the screen, select "Widgets", find Yandex and drag the search bar back to the desktop.
Specific settings on different versions of Android
The settings interface may differ significantly depending on the version of the operating system and the device manufacturer. Owners of smartphones running pure Android (Pixel, Motorola) will see one interface, while users Samsung, Huawei or Xiaomi will encounter proprietary add-ons. Below is a table with approximate paths to settings for popular shells.
| Manufacturer / Shell | Path to permission settings | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Pure Android (Pixel) | Settings → Applications → Yandex → Permissions | Strict confidentiality, indicator in the status bar |
| Samsung (One UI) | Settings → Applications → Yandex → Permissions | Additional control in the "Permissions Manager" |
| Xiaomi (MIUI/HyperOS) | Settings → Applications → All applications → Yandex → Permissions | Permission to "Autorun" is required for stable operation |
| Huawei (EMUI) | Settings → Applications → Yandex → Permissions | Background activity can be blocked |
On devices with a shell MIUI or HyperOS there is an aggressive power saving system that can mute the microphone for applications running in the background. If you want to use Alice in the background, go to the battery settings and set the Yandex Browser mode No restrictions. This will prevent the voice input service from being forced to stop.
☑️ Microphone diagnostics
Clearing the cache and resetting the application settings
Sometimes the problem is software in nature and is associated with the accumulation of errors in the application cache. The cache stores temporary files that can become corrupted after a failed update or system crash. In this case, simply switching the permission switch will not help; a deeper data cleaning is required.
Go to the phone settings, find the application Yandex and select Storage or Memory. Here you will see two buttons: "Clear cache" and "Reset data" (or "Clear data"). Start by clearing your cache - it's safe and won't delete your bookmarks or history. If this does not help, you can try resetting the data, but keep in mind that this will return the application to the state “as after installation”.
Settings → Applications → Yandex → Storage → Clear cacheAfter cleaning, it is recommended to completely restart your smartphone. This action will shut down all background processes and start audio services from scratch. Often, after a reboot, the system correctly initializes the microphone drivers and the application accesses them without errors.
What happens when you reset your data?
When you select the "Reset Data" or "Clear Data" option, the application will delete all your local settings, saved passwords (if they are not synchronized with your account), download history and cache. You will have to log in to your Yandex account again and customize the interface for yourself. Use this method only if clearing the cache did not help.
Diagnostics of hardware problems and third-party apps
If all software settings have been checked and performed correctly, but the microphone still does not work, you should pay attention to the hardware and third-party software. The microphone may be physically dirty or blocked by another application. Check whether the microphone hole is covered with protective glass or a case, and whether there is dust there.
There are also blocker applications, antiviruses or call recording apps that can monopolize access to the microphone. Try temporarily disabling third-party antivirus or voice recorder applications. If you have multiple browsers with voice search, check if the microphone works in them. If it doesn’t work anywhere, it’s a system or hardware problem.
⚠️ Attention: Settings interfaces and menu item names may be changed by developers in updates. If you do not find an exact match with the names in the article, look for sections with a similar meaning related to “Confidentiality”, “Security” or “Rights Manager”.
If the microphone does not work in any application on the phone, and not just in Yandex, a hardware failure of the microphone or connector is likely, which requires contacting a service center.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does Yandex ask for microphone permission every time it starts?
This happens if the Android permissions settings for the application are set to "Ask every time". To fix this, go to Settings → Applications → Yandex → Permissions → Microphone and select “Allow.”
Can I use voice search without the Internet?
Basic assistant commands require a network connection to process the request on Yandex servers. However, some functions, such as dictating text in an input field, can work offline if the appropriate language pack is loaded into the settings of the keyboard or the browser itself.
What should I do if Alice can’t hear me, but other applications work?
Most likely, the problem is in the settings of a specific Yandex application. Try clearing the application cache, reinstalling it, or checking if the voice activation function is disabled within the settings of the assistant itself.
Does the power saving mode affect the operation of the microphone?
Yes, in the hard power saving mode, the system can limit the operation of background processes and access to sensors to save battery. Turn off the power saving mode and try activating voice search again.
How to check if the microphone on your phone is working?
The easiest way is to open the standard “Voice Recorder” or “Sound Recorder” application and make a test recording. If the recording is played back with sound, then the hardware is working properly and the problem is software.