How to Send Voice Notes on iMessage (+ Fix If Not Working)

iMessage voice notes are weirdly hidden. Apple keeps moving the button, and half the features only work between iPhones. Here’s how to actually use them.

How to Send Voice Notes on iMessage

iOS 17 and Later

Apple moved the microphone button in iOS 17. Here’s where it went:

1. Open Messages
2. Open or start a conversation
3. Tap the + button (left of text field)
4. Tap Audio
5. Tap the red record button
6. Speak your message
7. Tap Stop, then the blue arrow to send

Why they added an extra step? No idea. Classic Apple.

iOS 16 and Earlier

The old method was simpler:

1. Open a conversation in Messages
2. Tap and hold the microphone icon (right of text field)
3. Speak your message
4. Release to send, or swipe left to cancel

You can also:

1. Tap the microphone once (don’t hold)
2. Record your message
3. Tap stop
4. Preview, then tap send

Hands-Free Recording

On iOS 17+:

1. Tap + → Audio
2. Tap and hold the record button, then slide up to lock
3. Let go — it keeps recording
4. Tap send when done

Great for longer messages.

Preview Before Sending

Nobody wants to accidentally send a rambling, half-finished voice note.

To preview:

1. After recording, don’t tap send immediately
2. Tap the play button on the recording
3. Listen back
4. Tap send or X to delete and re-record

On older iOS: Tap (don’t hold) the mic, record, tap stop, then preview appears automatically.

The Blue Bubble Problem

Here’s what Apple doesn’t make clear: voice notes only work between iMessage users.

• Blue bubble = iMessage = voice notes work
• Green bubble = SMS = no voice notes

If you’re texting an Android user, you can’t send voice notes through Messages. Use WhatsApp, Telegram, or another app instead.

How to Check if iMessage is On

Settings → Messages → iMessage (should be green)

If it’s off, turn it on and your blue-bubble contacts can receive voice notes.

iMessage Voice Note Settings

Stop Auto-Delete

The worst default setting: iMessage deletes voice notes 2 minutes after you listen to them.

To fix this:
Settings → Messages → Audio Messages → Expire → Never

Do this right now. You’ll avoid so much frustration.

Raise to Listen

When enabled, raise your phone to your ear to listen to voice notes privately, like a phone call.

Settings → Messages → Raise to Listen (toggle)

Some people love it, others find it triggers accidentally in their pocket.

When Voice Notes Won’t Send

“Why is there no microphone icon?”

On iOS 17+, it’s hidden. Tap the + button first, then look for Audio.

Voice note stuck on “Sending”

• Check internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular)
• Make sure iMessage is enabled (Settings → Messages → iMessage)
• Try toggling iMessage off and on
• Force quit Messages and try again

Recipient can’t play it

• They might be on Android (green bubble) — doesn’t work
• They might have an older iOS version
• The audio might have expired on their end (check their settings)

Recording won’t start

• Check microphone permission: Settings → Privacy → Microphone → Messages (on)
• Restart your iPhone
• Check if something else is using the microphone (active call, etc.)

Audio sounds terrible

• Don’t cover the bottom microphone
• Reduce background noise
• Some phone cases block the mic — try without
• Connection issues can cause compression artifacts

Limitations You Should Know

iMessage voice notes have some frustrating limitations:

• Apple-only — Green bubble contacts can’t receive them
• Auto-delete — 2-minute default expiration
• No transcription — Can’t convert to text natively (iOS 17+ has limited Siri transcription)
• Hard to find later — No voice note search or filter
• No export — Getting voice notes out of iMessage is tedious

For casual messages between iPhones, it’s fine. For anything beyond that ecosystem, you need alternatives.

FAQ

iMessage voice notes work well within the Apple ecosystem. Once you know where Apple hid the button and change that expiration setting, they’re convenient for iPhone-to-iPhone communication. Just don’t expect them to work outside the blue bubble world.