Send a voice message instead of typing
Typing on a small screen can be tiring. With a voice message, you just talk. The other person hears your voice, and may also see a written version of what you said.
Record and send a voice message
- Open the Messages app and tap a conversation.
- Tap the + (plus) button, to the left of the box where you type.
- Tap Audio, then start talking.
- When you're done, tap the stop button.
- Want to hear it first? Tap the play button.
- Tap the send arrow to send it. Or tap the cancel button to delete it and try again.
Listen to a voice message you get
- Open the conversation with the voice message.
- Tap the play button on the message.
- Want to keep it? Tap Keep.
Good to know
- Voice messages are deleted from your iPhone 2 minutes after you send or listen to them, unless you tap Keep.
- To keep them all: open Settings, tap Apps, tap Messages, tap Expire (under Audio Messages), then tap Never.
- Rather see each other? See Make a video call with FaceTime.
Where these steps come from
Checked in November 2026 against the official pages below, using the newest iPhone software. Your screen may look a little different, especially on an older iPhone. The official page always has the latest steps.