How to Send Voice Messages on iPhone

Create and Send a Voice Message With Messages

Typing text messages can be time-consuming if you have a lot to say. By sending a voice message in the Messages app, you can say exactly what you want to your recipient.

1. Open the conversation you want to send a voice message in, or start a new one.
   

   

2. Select the plus sign to the left of the text field.
   

   In iOS 16, tap the Apps icon below the text box.

3. Choose Audio from the menu. You may have to scroll down to find it.

   In iOS 16, select the Audio icon, which looks like a waveform.

   

4. The message will automatically start recording, and the text box will have a red recording bar in it.

   In iOS 16, you may need to choose the microphone icon to the right of the message field. Tap once to start recording, or tap and hold to send the message as soon as you release the button.

5. Record your message, and then select Stop to end the recording.

6. Tap Send to share the audio message. Alternatively, tap Play to preview it, and X to cancel.

   

Drawbacks of Using Messages

Here are a couple of disadvantages to using this function in Messages:

• As an iPhone user, you cannot currently send voice messages using the Messages app to other smartphones like Android. 
• By default, audio messages expire two minutes after you listen to them and are automatically removed. Your recipient can tap Keep to hold onto your message or disable the expiration by going to Settings > Messages.

If your recipient isn’t an iPhone user or you want to avoid the possible expiration of your audio message, consider sharing your message using Voice Memos.

Create and Send a Voice Message With Voice Memos

The Voice Memos app is excellent for capturing audio notes, speakers during a meeting, and more. Since you can easily share a voice recording from the app, this is a solid alternative to the Messages app on iPhone.

1. Open Voice Memos on your iPhone and tap (don’t hold) the red Record button at the bottom. 
   

2. Speak your message. You’ll see the duration of the recording as you speak.
   

3. When you finish with your message, tap the red Stop button.
   

   

4. The recording pops to the top section of the screen. You can tap the Play button to have a listen.

   To share, tap the three dots next to the name of the recording.
   

   Tip

   If you want to rename the recording before you share it, tap the current title and type in the new one.

5. Select Share.
   

6. Choose a sharing option from the Share Sheet. Depending on your iPhone's sharing options, you can send the audio message in a text message, email, or shared storage service like Dropbox.
   

   

   When you send a recording using Voice Memos, it will be formatted as an M4A file. So your recipient can use whichever audio player they have to open it and listen.
   

   Rest your fingers, say everything you need to say, or let your family hear your kids say hello with voice messages on your iPhone.