How to Add Voice Memo to CapCut

You’ve recorded the perfect voice memo. The narration for your TikTok, the commentary for your vlog, the voiceover that’s going to make your video actually good. Now you just need to get it into CapCut.

Except CapCut doesn’t have a “Voice Memos” button. There’s no direct connection between Apple’s Voice Memos app and CapCut. So you’re stuck in that annoying middle ground of having audio in one place and needing it in another.

Here’s how to add a voice memo to CapCut without losing your mind — whether you’re on iPhone, Android, or trying to figure out why your file won’t import.

Why You Can’t Just Import Directly from Voice Memos

If you’ve tapped around CapCut looking for a “Voice Memos” option, you’re not missing anything. It doesn’t exist.

Apple’s Voice Memos app keeps recordings in its own little ecosystem. CapCut can’t reach into Voice Memos and grab files — Apple doesn’t allow that kind of direct access. Same reason you can’t directly open a Voice Memo in most third-party apps.

The workaround is simple but not obvious: you need to export the voice memo to Files first, then import from Files into CapCut. Two steps instead of one. Annoying, but it works.

How to Add Voice Memo to CapCut on iPhone

Here’s the step-by-step for getting your voice memo from Apple’s app into your CapCut project:

Step 1: Export Your Voice Memo to Files

1. Open the Voice Memos app on your iPhone
2. Find the recording you want to use
3. Tap on it to expand the options
4. Tap the three dots (…) on the right side
5. Select Save to Files
6. Choose a location (I use “On My iPhone” → “Downloads” or create a “Voice Memos” folder)
7. Tap Save

Now your voice memo is accessible outside of Apple’s locked-down app.

Step 2: Import into CapCut

1. Open CapCut and your project
2. Tap Add audio at the bottom of the timeline
3. Select Sounds
4. Tap From device (sometimes labeled “Your sounds” or has a folder icon)
5. Navigate to where you saved the voice memo
6. Tap the file to add it to your project

The voice memo will appear on your audio timeline, ready to position, trim, or adjust.

Alternative: Share Directly to CapCut

Sometimes the Share menu offers a faster path:

1. In Voice Memos, tap your recording
2. Tap … → Share
3. Look for CapCut in the share options
4. If CapCut appears, tap it

This works intermittently. Sometimes CapCut shows up in the share sheet, sometimes it doesn’t. The Files method is more reliable.

How to Add Voice Memo to CapCut on Android

Android doesn’t have Apple’s Voice Memos app, so you’re working with whatever voice recorder your phone came with — Samsung Voice Recorder, Google Recorder, or a third-party app.

The good news: Android’s file system is more accessible. Getting audio into CapCut is usually simpler.

Using the Default Voice Recorder

1. Open your voice recorder app (Samsung Voice Recorder, Google Recorder, etc.)
2. Find your recording
3. Tap Share or the share icon
4. Select Save to Files or your file manager
5. Note where it saves (usually in a “Recordings” or “Voice Recorder” folder)

Importing to CapCut on Android

1. Open CapCut and your project
2. Tap Add audio
3. Select Sounds → From device
4. Navigate to your Recordings folder
5. Tap the audio file to import it

Most Android voice recorders save files in accessible locations, so CapCut can usually find them without extra steps. If you can’t locate the file, try searching in your Files app for .m4a, .mp3, or .wav files.

CapCut’s Audio Import Options Explained

CapCut gives you several ways to add audio. Knowing which to use saves time:

Sounds → From Device

This is what you want for voice memos. It lets you browse your phone’s storage and import any audio file CapCut can read.

Sounds → Recommended/TikTok Library

Pre-made music and sound effects from CapCut’s library. Great for background music, not useful for your own recordings.

Effects

Short sound effects, whooshes, and transitions. Not for voice.

Record

CapCut’s built-in recording feature. Records directly into your project — useful if you haven’t recorded yet, but doesn’t help with existing voice memos.

Extract Audio

Pulls audio from a video file. Useful if your “voice memo” is actually a video clip.

For voice memos, stick with Sounds → From Device. That’s your import tool.

File Format Requirements: What CapCut Actually Accepts

Not sure if your voice memo will work? Here’s what CapCut accepts:

Supported audio formats:

• M4A (what iPhone Voice Memos creates)
• MP3
• WAV
• AAC
• OGG

iPhone Voice Memos save as M4A by default, which CapCut handles fine. You shouldn’t need to convert anything.

If your file doesn’t import:

• Check the file size — extremely long recordings might be too large
• Make sure it’s actually an audio file (not a video)
• Try converting to MP3 as a fallback

Most problems aren’t format-related. It’s usually that CapCut can’t find the file or doesn’t have permission to access it.

Sharing Voice Memos to CapCut: The Share Sheet Method

The share sheet (that menu that pops up when you tap Share) sometimes offers direct paths to apps. Here’s how to maximize its usefulness:

On iPhone

When you share from Voice Memos, you’ll see:

• Apps in a horizontal row at the top
• Actions like “Save to Files,” “Copy,” etc. below

If CapCut is installed and you’ve used it recently, it might appear in that app row. Tap it to send the voice memo directly. If CapCut isn’t showing:

1. Scroll to the end of the app row
2. Tap More
3. Look for CapCut in the full list
4. If it’s there, you can add it to favorites for easier access

But here’s the catch: CapCut doesn’t always register as a share target for audio files. If it’s not appearing, use the Files method instead. It always works.

On Android

Android’s share sheet is more comprehensive. When you share a voice recording:

1. CapCut should appear in the share options
2. Tap CapCut
3. Select which project to add the audio to (or create new)

Android tends to be more flexible about app sharing, so this method works more reliably than on iPhone.

Troubleshooting: When Voice Memos Won’t Import

You’ve followed the steps but CapCut won’t accept your file. Here’s what’s probably wrong:

“File not found” or empty folder

CapCut might not have permission to access certain folders.

Fix:

• Make sure you saved to “On My iPhone” or a commonly accessible folder
• On Android, save to Downloads or Music folder
• Avoid iCloud Drive folders — they sometimes don’t sync correctly

File appears but won’t import

The file might be corrupted or in an unusual format.

Fix:

• Try playing the file in your Files app — if it won’t play there, it’s the file
• Re-export from Voice Memos
• If it still fails, convert to MP3 using a converter app

CapCut shows the file but nothing happens when you tap it

This is usually a loading issue with large files.

Fix:

• Wait a few seconds — large files take time
• Try with a shorter recording first to confirm the import works
• Restart CapCut and try again

Audio imports but sounds weird

If your voice sounds choppy, sped up, or distorted:

Fix:

• Check if you accidentally trimmed the file
• Make sure the project frame rate matches (though this rarely affects audio)
• Re-import the original file — sometimes transfers get corrupted

“Cannot read this file” error

Format compatibility issue, though rare with voice memos.

Fix:

• Convert to MP3 using an app like Audio Converter
• If converting, use at least 128kbps bitrate for voice

Recording Voice Directly in CapCut vs. Importing

CapCut has a built-in recording feature. So why bother with Voice Memos at all?

Use CapCut’s built-in recorder when:

• You’re recording narration while watching the video
• You want to time your voice with specific moments
• The recording is specifically for this one project
• You want the audio locked to the timeline immediately

Use Voice Memos (then import) when:

• You recorded the audio before starting the project
• You want to keep the original recording as a backup
• You might use the same audio in multiple projects
• You recorded away from your computer/editing setup
• The recording is higher quality than CapCut’s default

Importing takes extra steps but gives you more flexibility. You keep the original file and can reuse it. CapCut’s built-in recordings are convenient but locked into that project.

Tips for Better Voice Memos in CapCut Videos

Getting the audio into CapCut is step one. Making it sound good is step two.

Before you record:

• Find a quiet room — background noise is brutal in voiceovers
• Get close to the mic — 6-12 inches from your phone
• Do a test recording and listen back
• Record multiple takes if it’s important

In CapCut after importing:

• Use Volume adjustment to balance with other audio
• Add a bit of Fade in at the start to avoid jarring beginnings
• Fade out at the end if the recording cuts abruptly
• Use Noise reduction if available (some CapCut versions have it)
• Position the audio precisely by dragging on the timeline

Quick audio fixes:

• Voice too quiet? Increase volume by 3-6dB
• Too much background noise? Either live with it or re-record
• Echo-y room? Add background music to mask it
• Recording too long? Split and trim in CapCut’s timeline

Multiple Voice Memos in One Project

Working on a longer video with several voiceover segments? Here’s the efficient workflow:

1. Export all voice memos to a single folder in Files
2. Name them logically (Intro, Section1, Outro, etc.)
3. In CapCut, import them all at once (hold to select multiple)
4. Arrange on the timeline in order
5. Trim and adjust each clip individually

CapCut handles multiple audio tracks well. You can layer voice over music, stack multiple voice clips, and adjust each independently.

When Voice Memos Become a Headache

Look, the Voice Memos → Files → CapCut workflow works. But if you’re doing this regularly, you’ve probably noticed the friction:

• Recordings scattered between Voice Memos and Files
• Can’t remember which recording was which
• Hard to share with collaborators before editing
• Original context (what was this about?) disappears

The native workflow wasn’t designed for content creation. It was designed for quick audio notes. Using it for video production is forcing a square peg into a round hole.

Advanced: Using Voice Memos with CapCut Desktop

If you edit on a computer, the workflow is slightly different but easier:

Getting Voice Memos to Your Computer

Option 1: AirDrop (Mac)

1. In Voice Memos on iPhone, share the recording
2. AirDrop to your Mac
3. Import into CapCut from Downloads folder

Option 2: iCloud Sync (Mac)

1. Enable Voice Memos sync in iCloud settings
2. Open Voice Memos on Mac
3. Drag recording directly to CapCut or export first

Option 3: Email/Cloud

1. Share voice memo via email or upload to Dropbox/Google Drive
2. Download on computer
3. Import to CapCut

Importing to CapCut Desktop

1. Open your project in CapCut
2. Click Import or drag files directly into the media library
3. Drag the audio from your media library to the timeline

Desktop CapCut is more flexible — you can drag and drop from any folder, and file compatibility is broader.

Using Voice Memos as Sound Effects vs. Voiceovers

Not all voice recordings are voiceovers. Here’s how to handle different use cases:

Voice Memos as Voiceover (Full Commentary)

• Import to main audio track
• Position to sync with video
• Balance volume with background music (music at 20-30% of voice volume)
• Use fade in/out for smooth transitions

Voice Memos as Sound Bites (Short Clips)

• Trim to just the moment you need
• Layer on top of existing audio
• Can be louder relative to video (they’re meant to stand out)
• Consider adding a subtle sound effect before/after

Voice Memos as Behind-the-Scenes Audio

• Can overlap with on-screen dialogue
• Often plays under B-roll footage
• Adjust panning if you want separation from main audio
• Lower volume so it doesn’t compete

Voice Memos as ASMR/Ambient

• Pay extra attention to audio quality
• Use CapCut’s audio effects sparingly
• Consider boosting bass or treble depending on content
• Layer with other ambient sounds for depth

FAQ

The Bottom Line

Adding a voice memo to CapCut isn’t complicated once you know the secret: Voice Memos and CapCut don’t talk to each other directly. You need Files as the middleman.

The workflow is: Voice Memos → Save to Files → CapCut → Import from device. Two extra taps, but it works reliably every time.

Once your audio is in CapCut, you get full control — trim it, move it, adjust volume, add fades, layer it with music. The editing capabilities are solid. It’s just the getting-it-there part that Apple made unnecessarily complicated.

If you’re doing this regularly, consider recording directly in CapCut when possible, or using tools that generate shareable links and skip the export dance entirely. Voice memos are great for quick thoughts, but they weren’t designed for content creation workflows. Sometimes the right tool for the job isn’t the one that came pre-installed.