Quick Answer: In Messages, open a chat, tap the + button to the left of the text field, choose Audio, speak, then tap the send arrow (on older iOS versions, press and hold the small microphone icon at the right of the text field instead). In WhatsApp, press and hold the microphone icon and speak — or swipe up to lock it so you can stop holding, then tap send. To record without sending anything, use the Voice Memos app and share the file afterwards.
Voice notes say in ten seconds what takes two minutes to type — and they carry tone, which text never does. The catch is that Apple moved the button in recent iOS versions, so half the guides online point at a microphone icon that isn’t there any more.
Here’s how to send one in Messages, in WhatsApp, and how to record a longer audio file when you want more control.
Send a Voice Note in Messages (iMessage)
On current iOS versions
- Open Messages and the conversation you want.
- Tap the + button to the left of the text field.
- Tap Audio — recording starts immediately.
- Speak, then tap the red stop button when you’re finished.
- Press play to listen back, tap the ✕ to discard, or tap the up arrow to send.
On older iOS versions
- In the conversation, press and hold the microphone icon at the right edge of the text field.
- Keep holding while you speak.
- Slide up to the arrow to send, or slide left to the ✕ to cancel.
Good to know: voice messages sent over iMessage (blue bubbles) expire after two minutes by default once the other person has heard them. To keep them permanently, go to Settings → Apps → Messages → Audio Messages → Expire → Never. Sending to an Android phone converts the note into an MMS attachment instead, which doesn’t expire.
Send a Voice Note in WhatsApp
- Open the chat and press and hold the microphone icon at the bottom right.
- Speak while holding, then release to send.
- Hands-free: while holding, slide your finger up to the lock icon — recording continues without holding, and you tap Send when done.
- To cancel: slide left towards the bin icon before releasing (or tap Cancel when locked).
- Before sending a locked recording, you can pause and preview it — useful for longer messages.
Tip: recipients can play your note at 1.5× or 2× speed, and WhatsApp remembers where they stopped listening — so a long voice note isn’t as demanding as it used to be.
Record With Voice Memos (Longer or Reusable Audio)
When you want to record first and decide where to send it later — or need a proper audio file — use Apple’s built-in recorder.
- Open the Voice Memos app.
- Tap the big red record button, speak, then tap it again to stop.
- Tap the recording → ⋯ (more) → Share → choose Messages, WhatsApp, Mail, or AirDrop.
- Rename it by tapping the title, and trim the ends via ⋯ → Edit Recording → the crop icon.
This is the right tool for interviews, lectures, and anything you want to keep — the file stays on your phone regardless of where you send it.
If the Microphone Isn’t Working
- Check the app’s mic permission: Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone → make sure Messages or WhatsApp is switched on. A blocked mic is the number-one cause of silent voice notes.
- Check Screen Time: Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → Microphone — restrictions here disable recording app-wide.
- Clean the microphone at the bottom edge of the iPhone with a soft dry brush — lint muffles recordings and makes you sound distant.
- Remove the case and test; thick cases block the bottom mic on some models.
- Test in Voice Memos. If recordings are silent there too, the problem is the microphone or iOS rather than the messaging app — restart, update iOS, and if it persists, book an Apple diagnostic.
- Dictation not working either? See our iPhone voice-to-text guide, which covers the same microphone and permission causes.
More iPhone tips on MozPK
- How to undo in Notes on iPhone
- iPhone voice-to-text not working
- iPhone call speaker not working
- WhatsApp voice call not working
- iPhone storage full but nothing to delete
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the microphone button in iPhone Messages?
On current iOS versions it moved into the + menu beside the text field — tap + and choose Audio. Older versions show a microphone icon at the right of the text field that you press and hold.
Why do my voice messages disappear?
iMessage audio messages expire two minutes after being heard, by default. Change it under Settings → Apps → Messages → Audio Messages → Expire → Never, and ask the recipient to tap Keep on their side.
How do I send a long voice note without holding the button?
In WhatsApp, hold the mic and slide up to lock the recording, then tap Send when finished. In Messages, the + → Audio flow records without holding at all.
Can I send a voice note to an Android user?
Yes — Messages converts it to an MMS audio attachment, and WhatsApp works identically across platforms. MMS delivery needs cellular data enabled on your iPhone.
How do I cancel a voice note while recording?
In WhatsApp, slide left towards the bin before releasing. In Messages, tap the ✕ next to the recording before sending, or slide left on older versions.
