Microphone or camera access denied in VocaLingo
If you refused access once, the app can't ask again. Turn on the microphone, camera or contacts for VocaLingo in your phone settings or in the browser's site settings.
Updated November 2, 20262 min read
VocaLingo asks for access the first time a feature needs it. If you tapped "Don't Allow" then, the system doesn't show the request again, and the feature reports that access is blocked.
What the app shows
"Please allow microphone access in your device settings." when you record a voice sample in My Voices.
"Microphone access is blocked. Please allow microphone access in your device settings." in AI Calls.
"Microphone access is required for dictation. Please tap the button again and allow access." when you dictate text in Text to Speech.
"This step needs microphone access" in the welcome tour.
"To select a file from the gallery, please allow access to camera and photos in device settings." when you choose or record a file.
"Contacts access is off. Enable it to see your address book." on the Contacts tab of AI Calls.
Which features need which access
| Access | What needs it |
|---|---|
Microphone | Recording in Translate audio, Speech to Text and Voice Changer; Tourist Translator; dictation of text; recording a sample in My Voices; voice mode and voice input in AI Chat; AI Calls; the welcome tour |
Camera | Recording a video right in Translate Video, Video to Text and Add Captions; taking a photo to translate or to send to the chat |
Photos | Choosing a video or picture from the gallery; saving a finished video to the gallery |
Contacts | The Contacts tab in AI Calls (only in the iOS and Android apps) |
How to turn access on, on iPhone
Open the phone's Settings.
Scroll down and tap VocaLingo.
Turn on Microphone, Camera or Contacts. For Photos, choose Full Access or Limited Access.
Go back to VocaLingo and repeat the action.
How to turn access on, on Android
Open Settings → Apps → VocaLingo → Permissions. Names can differ slightly between phone makers.
Tap Microphone, Camera or Contacts and choose Allow only while using the app or Allow.
Go back to VocaLingo and repeat the action.
Faster: press and hold the VocaLingo icon, tap App info, then Permissions.
How to turn access on in a browser
At web.vocalingo.app, the browser asks for the microphone and camera itself. If you blocked them, click the icon to the left of the address, allow the microphone or camera for the site and reload the page. On a Mac, also check System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone: your browser must be allowed there.
If access is on, but the microphone still doesn't work
"Your microphone is being used by another app. Close it and try again." End any phone, WhatsApp or Telegram call, close voice recorders and other apps that use the microphone.
Restart VocaLingo after changing permissions. If that doesn't help, restart the phone.
Check the microphone in another app, for example by recording a voice note. If it doesn't work there either, the problem is with the device.
Contact support
Describe the problem and we will reply by email. Add the file name or job ID if you have one.