How to Send Voice Notes on iPhone (Step-by-Step Guide)

Apple made sending voice notes easy. Then they redesigned it in iOS 17 and hid the button. Classic.

Here’s how to find it and actually use it — whether you’re on the new iOS or an older version.

The iOS 17+ Method (Current)

Apple moved things around. If you updated recently and can’t find the voice note button, here’s where it went:

1. Open the Messages app
2. Select a conversation (or start a new one)
3. Tap the + button to the left of the text field
4. Tap Audio from the menu
5. Tap the red record button
6. Say what you need to say
7. Tap stop, then the blue arrow to send

You can also tap and hold the Audio button to record, then release to review before sending.

Why Apple buried this behind an extra tap is anyone’s guess.

The iOS 16 and Earlier Method (Faster)

If you’re on an older iOS version, you have the better interface:

1. Open Messages, pick a conversation
2. See that microphone button to the right of the text field? Tap and hold it
3. Speak your message
4. Slide up to send or slide left to cancel

Done. One motion, no menus.

Alternatively, tap the mic once, record, tap stop, then send. Same result, more taps.

Using Voice Memos (For Longer Recordings)

Need something more than a quick message? Voice Memos is better for:

• Notes to yourself
• Longer recordings
• Stuff you want to keep permanently

Here’s how:

1. Open the Voice Memos app
2. Tap the red circle to record
3. Tap again to stop
4. Rename it if you want (tap the recording title)
5. Tap … → Share to send it anywhere

Voice Memos syncs to iCloud, so your recordings show up on all your Apple devices.

How to Preview Before Sending

Nobody wants to send a rambling voice note they can’t take back.

On iOS 17+:

• After recording, you’ll see a preview
• Tap play to listen back
• Tap send or X to delete and try again

On iOS 16 and earlier:

• Tap (don’t hold) the microphone button
• Record, then tap stop
• Listen to the preview
• Send or cancel

Settings You Should Change

Two settings worth knowing about:

Keep Voice Notes Forever

By default, iMessage deletes voice notes 2 minutes after you listen to them. Terrible default.

Settings → Messages → Audio Messages → Expire → Never

Do this now. You’ll thank yourself later.

Raise to Listen

This lets you raise the phone to your ear to listen to voice notes (like a phone call) and reply hands-free.

Settings → Messages → Raise to Listen (toggle on/off)

Some people love it, some find it triggers accidentally. Try it and see.

When Things Go Wrong

“Where’s the microphone button?”

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

Voice notes won’t send

Check these:

• Do you have internet? (Wi-Fi or cellular)
• Is iMessage enabled? (Settings → Messages → iMessage)
• Is the recipient on iMessage? Green bubbles mean SMS — no voice notes

The audio sounds terrible

• Don’t cover the bottom of your iPhone (that’s where the mic is)
• Reduce background noise
• Some cases block the microphone — try without the case

Recipient can’t play it

If they’re on Android, they won’t get iMessage voice notes. Period. iMessage is Apple-only. For Android friends, you need WhatsApp, Telegram, or a shareable link.

The iPhone Voice Note Problem

Here’s the thing nobody talks about: iPhone voice notes only work in the Apple bubble.

• Android users? Can’t receive them via iMessage
• Want to share in email? Good luck exporting
• Need to find an old voice note? Enjoy scrolling through months of messages
• Listened but didn’t tap “Keep”? It’s gone in 2 minutes

For casual messages to other iPhone users, it’s fine. For anything else, it’s limiting.

FAQ

Sending voice notes on iPhone is easy once you know where Apple hid the button. Just remember to change that expiration setting — losing a voice note to a 2-minute timer is genuinely frustrating.

And if you need voice notes that work beyond Apple’s ecosystem, there are better tools for that.