After updating the Discord mobile app, you might see a “Mic Permission Denied” error when you try to join a voice channel or speak in a call. This happens because the update can reset the microphone permission settings on your phone, or your operating system may block the app from accessing the mic after a version change. This article explains the exact cause of the error and provides step-by-step fixes for both Android and iOS devices. You will learn how to re-enable microphone access and prevent the issue from returning after future updates.
Key Takeaways: Fix Discord Mic Permission Denied on Mobile
- Settings > Apps > Discord > Permissions > Microphone (Android): Toggle microphone permission to “Allow only while using the app” or “Always”
- Settings > Privacy > Microphone > Discord toggle (iOS): Turn on the microphone switch for Discord
- Settings > Apps > Discord > Force Stop (Android): Restart the app after adjusting permissions to clear the error
Why Discord Mobile Loses Mic Permission After an Update
When Discord updates on your mobile device, the operating system may treat the new version as a modified app. On Android, the system can revoke permissions that were granted to the previous version, especially if the update changes the app’s signature or if you have “Permission auto-revoke” enabled in Developer Options. On iOS, the update process can reset the microphone permission flag in the system privacy database, causing Discord to appear as if it never requested mic access.
The core issue is that the permission grant is stored at the OS level, not inside Discord itself. After an update, the OS may no longer recognize the stored permission as valid for the new app binary. This forces Discord to request permission again, but if the system blocks the request silently, you see the “Mic Permission Denied” error. The fix is to manually re-grant the permission through your phone’s system settings.
Steps to Fix Mic Permission Denied on Android
- Open System Settings
On your Android phone, open the Settings app. The exact name may vary by manufacturer, but it is usually a gear icon in the app drawer or notification shade. - Go to Apps or Application Manager
Scroll down and tap “Apps” or “Applications.” On Samsung devices, it may be under “Apps” then “App list.” Find Discord in the list and tap it. - Tap Permissions
Inside Discord’s app info screen, tap “Permissions.” You will see a list of permissions the app has requested. - Enable Microphone
Tap “Microphone” and select “Allow only while using the app” or “Allow all the time.” For most users, “Allow only while using the app” is sufficient and more secure. If the toggle is already on, toggle it off, wait 5 seconds, then toggle it back on to refresh the permission. - Force Stop Discord
Go back to the Discord app info screen and tap “Force Stop.” This completely closes the app. Then reopen Discord from your home screen or app drawer. - Test the Microphone
Join a voice channel or call. If Discord prompts you again for mic permission, tap “Allow.” The error should be gone.
Steps to Fix Mic Permission Denied on iOS
- Open Settings
Tap the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad home screen. - Scroll to Privacy & Security
Tap “Privacy & Security.” This is the section that controls app permissions. - Tap Microphone
Under the Privacy section, tap “Microphone.” You will see a list of apps that have requested microphone access. - Toggle Discord On
Find Discord in the list and turn the switch to the green ON position. If it is already on, toggle it off, wait 5 seconds, then toggle it back on to reset the permission flag. - Close and Reopen Discord
Double-click the Home button or swipe up from the bottom to open the app switcher. Swipe Discord off the screen to force close it. Then reopen Discord from the home screen. - Test the Microphone
Join a voice channel or start a call. The mic permission should now be granted, and you can speak without seeing the error.
If Discord Still Has Issues After the Main Fix
Mic Permission Is Enabled but Discord Still Says Denied
If you have confirmed that microphone permission is enabled in system settings but Discord still shows the error, the app’s internal permission cache may be corrupted. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Discord > Storage & Cache and tap “Clear Cache.” Do NOT tap “Clear Storage” as that will log you out. On iOS, the only option is to uninstall and reinstall Discord. Before reinstalling, ensure you know your login credentials and have access to your two-factor authentication method if enabled.
Discord Microphone Button Is Grayed Out
A grayed-out mic button in a voice channel means Discord is not detecting any audio input device. On mobile, this usually means the OS has denied mic access. Double-check the permission steps above. If the button remains grayed after granting permission, restart your phone. A full reboot forces the OS to reload all permission settings and often resolves the issue.
Permission Keeps Resetting After Every Update
Some Android devices have a feature called “Permission auto-revoke” that automatically revokes permissions for apps that have not been used for a while. To disable this, go to Settings > Apps > Discord > Permissions and tap “Remove permissions if app is unused” and set it to “Don’t remove permissions.” On iOS, there is no equivalent setting, but you can prevent the issue by always installing updates through the App Store rather than side-loading or using beta builds that may trigger permission resets.
Discord Mobile Permission Settings: Android vs iOS
| Item | Android | iOS |
|---|---|---|
| Permission location | Settings > Apps > Discord > Permissions | Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone |
| Permission levels | Allow all the time, Allow only while using the app, Deny | On or Off (no granular control) |
| Force close method | Settings > Apps > Discord > Force Stop | App Switcher > swipe Discord away |
| Cache clearing | Settings > Apps > Discord > Storage > Clear Cache | Uninstall and reinstall the app |
| Permission auto-revoke | Settings > Apps > Special Access > Permission auto-revoke (disable for Discord) | Not available |
After following the steps in this article, you should be able to use the microphone in Discord mobile without seeing the permission denied error. The key action is to manually re-grant microphone access through your phone’s system settings after each Discord update. If the issue persists, clearing the app cache on Android or reinstalling on iOS will reset the permission state. To avoid future problems, disable permission auto-revoke on Android and always install updates from the official app store.