How to Send a Voice Memo on iPhone

You recorded a voice memo. Now you want to send it to someone. Should be simple, right? Well, Apple gives you about six different ways to do this, and which one works best depends on who you’re sending it to and what app you want to use.

Here’s the complete breakdown.

Two Different Things: Voice Memos vs. iMessage Audio

Before we dive in, let’s clear up the confusion.

Voice Memos app — Apple’s built-in recorder. Creates audio files you can save, edit, and share anywhere. Great for longer recordings, notes to yourself, interviews, meetings.

iMessage audio messages — Quick recordings sent directly in the Messages app. Disappear after 2 minutes unless you tap “Keep.” Only work between iPhones.

Most people searching “how to send a voice memo” want one of these two things. We’ll cover both.

How to Send a Voice Memo from the Voice Memos App

This is the main method. You’ve recorded something in Voice Memos and want to share it.

Method 1: Share Button (Most Versatile)

1. Open the Voice Memos app
2. Find and tap the recording you want to send
3. Tap the three dots (…) in the upper right
4. Tap Share
5. Choose where to send it:
   • Messages — sends to any contact
   • Mail — attaches as audio file
   • AirDrop — instant transfer to nearby Apple devices
   • Any other app — Slack, WhatsApp, Drive, whatever

The recording gets sent as an M4A audio file. Recipients can play it on any device — iPhone, Android, computer, doesn’t matter.

Method 2: Long Press (Faster)

1. Open Voice Memos
2. Long press on the recording
3. Tap Share from the popup menu
4. Pick your destination

Same result, fewer taps.

Method 3: Swipe Actions

1. Open Voice Memos
2. Swipe left on a recording
3. Tap the Share icon
4. Select destination

Some people find this faster. Personally, I fumble the swipe distance half the time.

How to Send Voice Memo on iMessage

Want to text a voice memo to someone? You’ve got two paths.

Option A: Share from Voice Memos to Messages

If you already recorded something in Voice Memos:

1. Open Voice Memos
2. Tap the recording
3. Tap … → Share → Messages
4. Pick the contact
5. Tap Send

This sends the actual audio file. The recipient can save it, forward it, listen whenever. It won’t auto-delete.

Option B: Record Directly in Messages (Quick Voice Message)

For quick messages, record right in the conversation:

iOS 17 and later:

1. Open Messages, pick a conversation
2. Tap the + button (left of text field)
3. Tap Audio
4. Tap the red record button
5. Record your message
6. Tap Stop, then Send

iOS 16 and earlier:

1. Open Messages
2. Tap and hold the microphone icon
3. Speak your message
4. Release to send (or swipe left to cancel)

This method is faster for quick messages, but here’s the catch — these audio messages expire after 2 minutes unless someone taps “Keep.” For anything important, use the Voice Memos app and share the file.

How to Send a Voice Memo on iMessage to Android Users

Here’s where things get annoying.

If the recipient has an Android phone (green bubble), the quick audio message method won’t work. iMessage audio only works between Apple devices.

The workaround:

1. Record in Voice Memos first
2. Share the file via Messages
3. It’ll send as an MMS attachment (quality might compress)

Or better: share via email, a cloud link, or use a cross-platform app like WhatsApp.

The Voice Memos file approach works because you’re sending an actual audio file, not an iMessage-specific feature. Android phones can play M4A files just fine.

How to Text a Voice Memo (Email and Other Apps)

Sometimes Messages isn’t the right tool.

Send via Email

1. Voice Memos → tap recording → … → Share → Mail
2. The audio attaches automatically
3. Add recipient, subject, send

Works for any email address. No Apple account needed on the other end.

Send via WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, etc.

Same share process:

1. Voice Memos → … → Share
2. Scroll to find the app
3. Pick conversation, send

Most messaging apps handle M4A files perfectly. The recipient just taps to play.

Send via Cloud Storage

For larger files or archival:

1. Share to Files, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.
2. Copy the shareable link
3. Send the link however you want

This avoids attachment size limits and keeps a backup.

Settings You Should Change

Stop Voice Messages from Disappearing

The 2-minute expiration on iMessage audio is genuinely terrible as a default.

Settings → Messages → Audio Messages → Expire → Never

Do this now. Trust me.

Enable iCloud Sync for Voice Memos

Want your recordings on all your Apple devices?

Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → Voice Memos (toggle on)

Now everything syncs automatically. Record on your iPhone, access on your Mac.

Check Your Recording Quality

Voice Memos has two quality settings:

Settings → Voice Memos → Audio Quality

• Compressed — smaller files, fine for voice
• Lossless — larger files, better for music/interviews

Compressed is usually fine unless you’re recording music.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

“The share button isn’t showing”

• Make sure you’ve selected the recording (tap it, don’t just look at it)
• Try force-quitting Voice Memos and reopening
• Restart your iPhone if nothing works

“File is too large to send”

Large recordings can hit email/MMS limits. Try:

• Trimming the recording in Voice Memos (Edit → trim)
• Sending via AirDrop or cloud link instead
• Using the “Compressed” quality setting for future recordings

“Recipient says they can’t play it”

The M4A format is widely supported, but:

• Very old Android phones might struggle (rare now)
• Some corporate email systems strip audio attachments
• Try sending a cloud link instead of the file directly

“My voice memo recording failed”

• Check available storage (Settings → General → iPhone Storage)
• Make sure no other app is using the microphone
• Close other audio apps before recording

“iMessage audio won’t send”

For the quick audio messages in Messages:

• Verify internet connection
• Check that iMessage is enabled (Settings → Messages → iMessage)
• Confirm recipient uses iMessage (blue bubble, not green)

The Bigger Problem With Voice Memos

Okay, so you can send a voice memo. But here’s what nobody tells you about the long-term reality:

Finding old recordings is a nightmare. Voice Memos shows a list of dates and durations. Two months later, you’re scrolling through “New Recording 47” trying to find that one important message.

No context. What was this about? Who was it for? What were you looking at when you recorded it? The app doesn’t know.

Sharing is manual every time. Record, export, pick app, send. Every single time.

Apple-only sync. Great if everyone uses Apple. Not great otherwise.

For casual use, Voice Memos is fine. For anything you actually need to find again? It falls apart quickly.

FAQ

Sending voice memos on iPhone is straightforward once you understand the two systems — the Voice Memos app for files you want to keep and share widely, and the iMessage audio feature for quick messages to other iPhone users.

The Voice Memos share approach works with anyone on any device. The iMessage audio approach is faster but only works in the Apple ecosystem.

For important recordings, always use Voice Memos and share the file. The 2-minute disappearing act on iMessage audio has ruined too many important messages to trust it with anything that matters.