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Repair and disassembly information for Google's Pixel 6 Pro smartphone, released in October 2021. Identified by model number GLUOG, G8VOU, and GF5KQ.

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Is there a replacement part for the bottom microphone?

The microphone at the bottom of my Pixel 6 Pro phone is not working with any app (phone, keyboard/gboard, recordings, etc.). If I record a video, the top microphone is picking up sound, which I confirmed by covering the pin hole with my finger and sound stops recording. I have verified the bottom ports of the phone are clean, and tried gently cleaning and blowing out any debris (swab was clear) with no effect on recording sound. It seems the microphone needs to be replaced but I am unable to find a repair part for the microphone.

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Hi Steven,

Being a Pixel 6 Pro owner myself, I've been keeping an eye on the Pixel problems and can offer you some insight into the issue of replacing the lower microphone.

Okay, first off, I'm afraid Google has done us dirty by having the microphone and the USB-C port soldered directly on the motherboard. I'm sure this saves them a few pennies on each unit they manufacture, but when it comes time for repairs, it's a purely evil decision.

A bit of research was required, but I located the microphone itself on the motherboard. Here's a picture with it highlighted, courtesy of the teardown done by the TechInsights website.

Block Image

As you've already surmised, replacement parts for the motherboard itself are few and far between. You could consider scavenging one off of a junk motherboard, although you'll have to find one first. The other thought I had was that the Pixel 6 non-pro model does have a replaceable top microphone which is available for sale. I don't know for sure that it's compatible, but I strongly suspect it would be. Here's an example of an AliExpress seller who has the part for sale.

1Pcs Microphone For Google Pixel 6 Top Mic Phone Flex Cable Repair Replacement Parts - AliExpress

If you're good at soldering and have a hot air station, this may not be too bad of a repair, but otherwise you may have to find a repair shop who can unsolder the parts from the Pixel 6 flex cable and the 6 Pro motherboard then replace the defective one.

The only other choice you've got would be to just replace the whole motherboard; for some reason they're available on AliExpress, although I have no idea how legitimate these actually are.

Original Motherboard For Google Pixel 6 7 Pro 5 Unlocked Logic Main Board Circuits Panel Work 128GB 256GB Mainboard Replace - AliExpress

At $135 USD a pop, I'd sure try the 6 replacement part first, though!

In either case you're going to have to remove the motherboard. Sorry to say iFixit doesn't have a guide for that particular repair, but the Spanish site Nadie Me Llama Gallina (Nobody Calls Me Chicken) has just what you need.

Manuals / Google Pixel 6 Pro / Motherboard - Nobody Calls Me Chicken

Good luck, and let us know how it all turns out for you!

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2 Comments:

Hey Jerry,

Many thanks for the detailed response! I had not considered the microphone component is soldered onto the mainboard. This cleanly explains why I have been unable to find this as a replacement part on any site.

The top microphone does not seem to be an issue, so unfortunately the top microphone part won't be of any use for me.

I think I will take the phone apart and see if there is something simple that can be fixed, otherwise it looks like I need to find another mainboard to swap in or have an authorized repair shop order the board and put it in.

Thanks for all your help on this!

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@stevbev Actually, on our 6 Pro phones the top microphone is also soldered onto the motherboard; it's on the opposite side though. The separate top microphone from the 6 non-pro I was suggesting as a purchase was solely for the purpose of unsoldering it from the little flex cable it comes with and using it as the replacement part for the lower microphone.

But yeah, if you open it up you'll be able to directly access the microphone and clean it out with isopropyl alcohol (90% or higher concentration only!) and/or canned air.

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Steven Beverly will be eternally grateful.
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