When I am in a conversation in iMessages and I hit the apps button just above the keyboard, I can choose the audio app. Through a bit of trial and error, I’ve gathered that opening this app immediately starts recording an audio message. The problem is, I can’t seem to stop it cleanly. I don’t want voiceover output showing up in the recording, but basically I have to swipe around to find the stop button on the screen, which is small and hard to locate. I’ve tried two finger double tapping, which is usually the iOS gesture for stopping or starting things, but it just initiates voice dictation and cancels the whole recording. Is there an accessible way to operate audio messages? I remember this used to be a lot more straightforward
Comments
An alternative way to record audio messages
My favorite way to record a message is to put the phone to my ear, listen for the little ding sound, and then start talking. When you're finished, take the phone away from your ear and it should stop recording. There should be no voiceover sounds that show up in the message with this method.
@Joyfuljules
Hi @Joyfuljules,
That sounds like a great solution! Can you walk me through what you do in a bit more detail? And just to make sure we’re talking about the same thing, when I’m in a conversation with somebody in the iMessages app, there’s a button to the left of the Composed text box called apps. When I click on that, I get a big list of different apps including music, Apple Cash, maps etc., and one called audio. When I double tap the audio app, it immediately starts recording an audio message. Is this what you’re referring to, or are you talking about some entirely different way of recording and sending an audio message?
I did open up the audio app from the message composition screen and immediately put the phone up to my ear as you described, spoke my audio message, and then moved the phone away from my head, but it didn’t work. I still had to locate and hit the stop button to end the recording.
Thank you!
Justin_B
You have to have a setting enabled called "Raise to Listen". Do the following to enable/disable:
1. Go to Settings, Apps, Messages.
2. Under the, Audio Messages, heading, check the box next to, Raise to Listen.
3. Double tap on back in the upper left corner, to ensure your settings are saved.
From now on, when you want to send an audio message. Simply open up any particular message window, and put your device up to your ear as if you're going to talk on the phone. You will hear a little chime, now just start speaking. When you are finished, pull the device away from your ear. It will take a second or two, depending on your iPhone model, but you will eventually notice a file added to your message, Containing your newly recorded audio message.
Furthermore, when someone sends you an audio message, put your device up to your ear, and their message will autoplay for you. Pull the device away after you've have heard their message, and it will stop playing.
HTH.
Another suggestion.
It's very easy to dictate a message with Siri. You can tell Siri to send message to "Name" and he'll say, "What do you want to say to name". Then dictate your message, Siri will confirm and ask if you want to send it. You can say "yes" to send, add to the message, or cancel.
@SheilaG
Thanks SheilaG. What you’re describing is sending a text message using Siri, and that is definitely a good technique! My question here is actually about sending audio messages specifically, but I appreciate you chiming in
Raise to listen = awesome!
Brian, thank you. I did not have raise to listen enabled in iMessage settings. Now what the other user described works perfectly! This is fantastic. Appreciate everyone’s help
SheilaG
In the beginning of iOS 26, if you ask Siri to send an audio message, you got the choice of replaying it, later that vanish. Now if you send a voice message, it will not play it and just ask you to send it.
@Justin_B
You're welcome. Happy to help. 😃
@Holger
Using Siri to send audio messages would be boss!
Brian
Would be cool, if Apple let you listen to it and ask you if you want to send or change. Long live cats. Forgot to say in previous post.
Audio Messages
So the way that I do it is that first I locate and tap on the apps button. Next, I swipe until I hear the audio option. Then, I turn off voiceover speech, and then while my focus is still on the audio button, I will tap on it and start recording. Once I am done recording, I perform the gesture that takes you to the home screen. Then I turn voiceover speech back on and then go to the message where I made the recording, and then I can send it or listen to it. I know this is a long way, but it helps prevent any voiceover speech output in the recording. The only feedback you will get in the message is at the end of the recording you will hear that popping sound you normally hear when you go to the home screen.
Appology.
You did say audio messages and I was thinking texting.
Yes. Long live cats and German Shepherd guides!