iOS 16 Audio Messages: How to Record and Play Back

Apple introduced significant changes to the Messages app in iOS 16, altering how voice memos and sound clips are handled within iMessage conversations. Instead of using a microphone icon directly inside the text entry field, iOS 16 moves voice messages to a dedicated app drawer tool with updated controls for recording, previewing, and listening. This guide provides a straightforward explanation of how to record, send, and play back audio messages on an iPhone running iOS 16.

How to Record and Send Audio Messages

In iOS 16, the microphone icon inside the text input box is strictly designated for voice dictation. To send an actual audio recording, follow these steps:

  1. Open an existing iMessage conversation or start a new one.
  2. Tap the Apps icon (the App Store symbol) located to the left of the text input field if the app drawer is hidden.
  3. Locate and tap the Audio icon, which is represented by a blue icon featuring white sound waves.
  4. Tap the red microphone icon in the recording panel that appears at the bottom of the screen to begin recording your message.
  5. Tap the red stop button when you are finished speaking.

Once recorded, the clip remains in the input field without sending automatically. You can tap the play button to preview the recording, tap the "X" on the left to delete it, or tap the blue upward arrow to send it.

How to Play Back Audio Messages

Playing back received or sent audio messages in iOS 16 is designed to be seamless, offering both on-screen controls and hands-free options:

  • On-Screen Playback: Tap the play button located directly on the waveform bubble in the chat thread. The message will begin playing through the iPhone's speaker.
  • Scrubbing: You can drag your finger across the audio waveform to jump forward or backward to specific parts of the message.
  • Raise to Listen: If enabled, you can simply lift your iPhone to your ear while viewing the conversation. The proximity sensor detects the motion, automatically playing the incoming audio message privately through the earpiece. This feature can be toggled by going to Settings > Messages > Raise to Listen.

Managing Audio Message Expiration

By default, iOS 16 automatically deletes audio messages two minutes after they are played to save storage space. To prevent an audio message from disappearing:

  • Tap the Keep option that appears underneath the message bubble after playback.
  • To permanently disable automatic deletion for all future messages, go to Settings > Messages, scroll down to the Audio Messages section, tap Expire, and switch the setting from After 2 Minutes to Never.