iOS 18 Call Recording Export Audio Formats

iOS 18 introduces native phone call recording and live transcription, automatically saving all captured conversations directly into a dedicated folder in the Apple Notes app. When it comes to exporting these recorded audio files to other apps, storage drives, or devices, iOS 18 utilizes a single native format for audio distribution. This article details the audio format available when exporting call recordings from Notes and explains how to handle conversion if you require a different file type.

The Native Audio Format: M4A (AAC)

When exporting a call recording directly from the Notes app in iOS 18, the audio is exported exclusively in the M4A (.m4a) format.

Apple uses the MPEG-4 container format encoded with AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) for call recordings. This format balances high speech clarity with relatively small file sizes, making it efficient for on-device storage and quick sharing.

Built-In Format Options in Notes

Currently, Apple Notes does not provide a settings menu or export prompt to choose alternative audio formats (such as MP3, WAV, or FLAC) during the export process. When tapping the audio attachment within a note and selecting the iOS Share Sheet, the system automatically packages the sound file as an .m4a file.

How to Export the Audio File

To export the raw audio file of a call recording from Notes:

  1. Open the Notes app and navigate to the Call Recordings folder.
  2. Select the specific note containing the recorded call.
  3. Tap the audio recording card or the three-dot menu icon adjacent to the audio player.
  4. Select Share Audio (or Share).
  5. Choose Save to Files, AirDrop, or any messaging/cloud storage app to export the .m4a file.

Converting to Other Formats (MP3, WAV)

Because Apple Notes does not offer native export conversion options beyond M4A, users requiring other formats must use secondary tools after exporting:

  • Apple Shortcuts: You can create or use an existing iOS Shortcut that accepts an audio file from the Share Sheet, encodes it to MP3 or WAV, and saves it to the Files app.
  • Third-Party Audio Converters: Export the .m4a file to the Files app first, then open it in an audio editing or conversion app from the App Store.
  • Desktop Tools: Once transferred to a PC or Mac, .m4a files can be played natively or converted using media players and audio editors such as QuickTime, iTunes, Audacity, or VLC.