Try the free Online Voice Recorder Record in Safari and save as MP3 or WAV, no app needed. Your iPhone is a very good audio recorder. It has a built in app called Voice Memos that can record lectures, meetings, song ideas and notes to yourself, and it is free. This guide shows you how to record audio on iPhone step by step, how to trim and share your recording, how to get better sound, and what to do if you need an MP3 or WAV file instead of the usual M4A.
How to record audio on iPhone with Voice Memos
Voice Memos comes with every iPhone. If you deleted it, you can download it again for free from the App Store. Apple also has its own guide to making a recording in Voice Memos on iPhone.
- Open the Voice Memos app. You can find it quickly by swiping down on the Home Screen and typing "Voice Memos".
- Tap the big red Record button at the bottom of the screen.
- Speak normally. Keep the bottom edge of the phone pointed toward you, because that is where the main microphone sits.
- Tap the red Stop button when you are done.
- Your recording is saved straight away. By default it is named after your location, so tap the name to rename it to something you will remember.
That is all you need for a quick recording. The steps below help with longer or more important recordings.
How to pause and resume a recording
For a lecture or a long meeting you might want to stop for a break without ending the file.
- While recording, swipe up on the small recording panel to open the full recorder.
- Tap Pause. The timer stops.
- Tap Resume when you are ready to carry on.
- Tap the checkmark or Done to save the full recording as one file.
The full recorder view also shows a bigger waveform, which is a handy way to check the phone is picking up your voice.
Faster ways to start recording
If you record often, set up a shortcut so you do not have to hunt for the app.
- Control Center: open Control Center, tap the + button at the top left, tap Add a Control, then search for Voice Memos. After that, one tap starts a new recording.
- Action button: on iPhone models with an Action button, go to Settings then Action Button and swipe until you see Voice Memo. Press and hold the button to start recording.
How to trim a voice memo on iPhone
Most recordings have a few seconds of fumbling at the start and end. You can cut those off.
- In the Voice Memos list, tap the recording, then tap the More button (three dots).
- Tap Edit Recording.
- Tap the Trim icon at the top right.
- Drag the yellow handles to choose the part you want to keep. Tap Play to check it.
- Tap Trim to keep the selected part, or Delete to remove it. Then tap Save and Done.
In the same editing screen you can use Replace to record over a mistake in the middle of a memo.
How to get better sound quality on iPhone
A few small changes make a big difference.
- Turn on lossless audio. Go to Settings, then Apps, then Voice Memos, and set Audio Quality to Lossless. Files get bigger but sound cleaner.
- Pick a recording mode. In the same settings page, Recording Mode lets you choose mono, stereo or spatial audio on supported models. Mono is fine for speech.
- Use Enhance Recording. Open a memo, tap the settings icon, and switch on Enhance Recording. It reduces background hum and room echo.
- Get closer. Hold the phone about a hand's width from your mouth. Distance matters more than any setting.
- Choose a soft room. Rooms with curtains, carpets and a sofa sound better than kitchens and bathrooms.
- Turn on Airplane Mode for important recordings so a call or notification does not interrupt you.
If your recording still has a lot of noise, our guide on how to remove background noise from audio walks through simple fixes.
How to share or save a voice memo as a file
- Tap the recording in the list.
- Tap the More button (three dots), then tap Share.
- Choose Messages, Mail or AirDrop, or tap Save to Files to keep a copy in iCloud Drive or on your iPhone. See where voice memos are stored on iPhone if you lose track of a file.
Voice Memos shares files in the M4A format. Most apps and computers play M4A without trouble, but some websites and older tools want MP3. See our guide on how to convert M4A to MP3 if you need to switch formats.
How to record audio on iPhone in your browser
If you would rather get an MP3 or WAV file straight away, you can record in Safari with the free Online Voice Recorder. There is nothing to install and no account, and the audio stays on your phone.
- Open the recorder page in Safari.
- Tap the record button and tap Allow when Safari asks to use the microphone.
- Speak, then stop the recording when you are done.
- Trim the start and end if you need to, then save it as MP3 or WAV.
The browser recorder records your microphone only. It cannot record phone calls or sound playing from other apps.
Voice Memos vs a browser recorder
| Feature | Voice Memos | Online Voice Recorder |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Free |
| Install needed | Built in | No, runs in Safari |
| File format | M4A | MP3 or WAV |
| Trim recordings | Yes | Yes |
| Sync to other Apple devices | Yes, with iCloud | No, you save the file yourself |
| Works on a computer too | Mac only | Any modern browser |
For everyday notes, Voice Memos is the easiest choice. If you need a common file type to upload or send to someone on Windows or Android, the browser recorder saves you a conversion step.
How to turn an iPhone recording into text
On iPhone 12 and later, Voice Memos can create a transcript in supported languages. Open a recording, tap the waveform icon, then tap the transcript icon to read it. You can copy the text from the More menu with Copy Transcript.
If your iPhone does not show a transcript, or you want a text file or subtitles, upload the memo to our free Voice Memo to Text tool. It works with English audio and lets you export TXT or SRT. Our full guide to turning an iPhone voice memo into text covers every option.
What to do if your iPhone will not record
- Check the microphone is not blocked. Remove thick cases and wipe the small holes at the bottom of the phone gently with a dry, soft brush.
- Check permissions. If a website or app cannot use the mic, go to Settings, then Privacy & Security, then Microphone, and switch it on for that app.
- Disconnect Bluetooth. If AirPods or a car system are connected, your iPhone may be using their microphone instead. Our guide on AirPods mic problems can help.
- Free up storage. Long recordings need space. Check Settings, then General, then iPhone Storage.
- Restart your iPhone. It sounds simple, but it fixes many audio glitches.
Deleted a memo by mistake? Open the Recently Deleted folder in Voice Memos. Recordings stay there for 30 days before they are removed for good.
Frequently asked questions
How to record a voice memo on iPhone?
Open the Voice Memos app, tap the red Record button, then tap Stop when you finish. The memo saves straight away and is named after your location, so tap the name to rename it. For long sessions, swipe up on the recording panel to pause and resume.
How to record sound on iPhone?
Use the free Voice Memos app that comes with every iPhone: open it, tap Record and tap Stop when you are done. If you want an MP3 or WAV file instead of M4A, you can also record your microphone in Safari with a browser recorder such as the voicedesktop Online Voice Recorder.
How long can I record on iPhone Voice Memos?
Voice Memos has no short time limit. You can record for as long as your iPhone has free storage and battery, so check both before a long session.
Can I record audio on iPhone with the screen off?
Yes. Voice Memos keeps recording when you lock the screen or switch to another app. You will see a red indicator at the top of the screen while it records.
What format does iPhone use for voice recordings?
Voice Memos saves recordings as M4A files. They play on most devices, and you can convert them to MP3 if a website or app needs it.
How do I make my iPhone recordings sound better?
Set Audio Quality to Lossless in Voice Memos settings, hold the phone close to your mouth, record in a quiet soft room, and try Enhance Recording.
Where are my voice recordings saved on iPhone?
They are stored inside the Voice Memos app and synced with iCloud if you have it switched on. Use Share and then Save to Files to keep a copy in the Files app.
Ready to try it?
Ready to record? Open Voice Memos, or use the free online recorder for an instant MP3 or WAV file.
Open Online Voice Recorder
