With the Messages app open and iMessage turned on, you can easily access the Audio option, record your message, and just send it. This post will explain how to send voice message on iPhone.
1. iPhone Voice Message Features in the Messages App
Apple’s Messages app includes many useful tools, including several voice messaging features that make it easy to send quick audio recordings.
What you can do in the Messages app:
- Send an audio message directly through iMessage.
- Pause and resume a recording before sending.
- Listen to the recording before sending it.
- Delete and re-record a message if needed.
- Keep audio messages so they do not automatically expire.
- View transcripts for some audio messages, depending on the iPhone model and iOS version. The transcript language depends on the sender’s language settings on the iPhone.
- Use Raise to Listen, which automatically plays incoming audio messages when you lift your iPhone to your ear and lets you quickly record a reply after hearing a tone.
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2. How to Send Voice Message on iPhone
Let’s follow how to send a voice message on iPhone as a quick way to communicate.
Start a New Audio Message
To send a voice message on an iPhone quickly and correctly, you first need to understand where Apple has placed the audio tools in the Messages app. Everything is now organized through the + (Add) menu in iMessage conversations.
To begin recording a voice message on iPhone:
- Open the Messages app.
- Open an existing conversation or start a new one.
- Tap the + (Add) button next to the message field.
- Select Audio.
Record and Send Your Voice Message
- After tapping Audio, record your message by speaking clearly into your iPhone.
- When finished, tap the Stop button to pause or end the recording.
- Hit the Send button to send the message.
Faster Sending with Quick Controls
Speaking of how to send voice message on iPhone more quickly: after you send an audio message, you can continue sending another one. Simply touch and hold the Record Audio button or the small waveform icon directly in the text field.
Note, this icon only appears after you have sent or received at least one audio message in that conversation.
Besides, when you receive a recorded voice message, you can swipe on the audio message to rewind or fast-forward, touch and hold Play/Pause to change playback speed.

3. How to Review, Edit, or Cancel a Voice Message Before Sending
After ending the recording, you can then immediately send the voice message or:
- Hit the Play button to review the recording before sending.
- Tap Continue Recording if you want to add more audio to the same message.
- If you are satisfied with the recording, just send it in the conversation or tap the Close button to cancel the recording.

4. How to Keep Voice Messages from Disappearing
By default, audio messages are removed from your iPhone two minutes after they are played or sent. If you want to keep voice messages permanently, you can change your iPhone settings.
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Messages.
- Scroll to the Audio Messages section.
- Tap Expire.
- Select Never.
Your iPhone can also automatically remove older messages depending on your general message history settings. Even if audio expiration is disabled, conversations may still disappear if message retention is limited. To check this setting:
- Open Settings.
- Select Messages.
- Tap Keep Messages.
- Choose Forever if you want to preserve your message history long term. If this option is set to 30 Days or 1 Year, older conversations and attachments may still be removed automatically.
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5. FAQs
Why can’t I send audio messages to others on my iPhone?
Reasons include iMessage being turned off, a weak internet connection, or the recipient not using an Apple device with iMessage enabled. Check that Settings > Messages > iMessage is turned on.
How do I send a voice message through my text?
Open the Messages app and enter a conversation. Tap the + button next to the text field, then choose Audio. Speak your message, then tap Send to deliver it.
If you want speech converted into typed text instead, use the keyboard microphone for voice-to-text dictation.
Where is the audio message button on iPhone?
Open a chat, then tap the + button next to the text field. From the menu, select Audio or the sound-wave icon to start recording a voice message.
What is the difference between a voice note and a voice message?
A voice message is sent in a messaging app like iMessage, where it appears as a playable bubble in a chat. A voice note can mean the same thing, but it’s also used for personal recordings you keep for yourself, such as in the Voice Memos app.
How can I forward a voice message from my iPhone?
On iPhone, you can’t directly forward an iMessage voice message like a normal text. Instead, you can save and resend it.
Open Messages, tap and hold the audio message, then choose Save to Voice Memos. Next, open the Voice Memos app > Recording > Share, and send it through Messages, Mail, or another app.
6. Conclusion
Before sending a voice message, you can review your recording by tapping play to listen and make sure it sounds correct. This is especially helpful if you’re learning how to send voice message on iPhone for the first time. If needed, you can cancel the recording and start over.