How to use the new audio message features in iOS 17

Send, play, and delete voice messages with ease and convenience

Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson on audio messages for iOS

CyberGuy shows Apple users how to send Audio Messages on iOS 17.

You know how you use your iPhone to chat with your friends or loved ones all the time? Most of us just type text messages back and forth, although typing long messages can get tiring. Sometimes, it feels like my fingers are going to fall off from all that typing.

That’s why I sometimes like using audio messages instead. They are so much easier and faster to send. Plus, they let me express my emotions better than text, and iOS 17 makes sending them a breeze.

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how to use the new audio message features in ios 17

Apple iOS allows users to send audio messages. ( )

MORE: HOW IOS 17 LETS YOU SEE A LIVE TRANSCRIPT OF A VOICEMAIL AS IT'S BEING RECORDED

iOS 17 was designed to make several features on messages more consolidated and easier to manage, which includes sending audio messages. It also now allows you to pause and then continue recording the same message before sending it. Here's how to do it.

  • Go to Messages

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how to use the new audio message features in ios 17

Screenshot instructing you to press the Messages app. ( )

  • Then click on a conversation

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how to use the new audio message features in ios 17

Screenshot instructing you to select a person to text. ( )

  • Tap the plus button at the bottom left

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how to use the new audio message features in ios 17

Screenshot indicating to press the plus sign button. ( )

  • Next to the orange waveform, press audio, and it will begin recording

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how to use the new audio message features in ios 17

Select "Audio" in the options window. ( )

  • With iOS 17, you are now able to pause your recording by hitting the square red icon button 

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how to use the new audio message features in ios 17

Next, press record to record your audio message. ( )

  • And then continue recording the same message by tapping on the '+' icon inside the recording interface. This action will initiate the recording process again. The feature allows you to pause and resume recording an audio message as many times as needed

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how to use the new audio message features in ios 17

This feature will show you how long your message is. ( )

  • When you're finished recording, tap the square red icon button. You can then listen to the recording by pressing the play button 

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how to use the new audio message features in ios 17

After recording, you can play back your audio message. ( )

  • Then tap the blue arrow to send the audio message or tap the X on the left to cancel

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how to use the new audio message features in ios 17

Press the blue arrow to send your message. ( )

  • Tap Keep to save an incoming or outgoing audio message on your iPhone. Otherwise, the recording is deleted from the conversation, on your iPhone only, 2 minutes after you send or listen to it. Those receiving your audio message can play your recording any time after they receive it. To save it, they need to tap Keep within 2 minutes after listening to it.

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how to use the new audio message features in ios 17

Press Keep to save the audio message. ( )

  • If you always want to keep audio messages, go to Settings > Messages > Scroll down and tap Expire (below Audio Messages), then tap Never

MORE: HIDDEN IPHONE SETTINGS TO CHANGE THE MOMENT YOU DOWNLOAD THE NEW IOS17 

Are your voice messages secure and private?

Many of you may be wondering if your voice messages are secure and private. Yes, Apple uses end-to-end encryption to protect all media sent through iMessage, including audio messages.

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Kurt's key takeaways

Audio messages on your iPhone let you say more in less time, and you don’t have to worry about typos or autocorrect. 

iOS 17 makes it very easy and convenient to send them. Just tap the plus button, then the audio button, and start talking. You can listen to your message before sending it or delete it if you change your mind. Also, you can rest assured that your voice messages are safe and secure with Apple’s end-to-end encryption.

Get more of my iOS 17 tips here

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Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Authored by Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report via FoxNews October 9th 2023