Audio messages in iMessage offer convenient voice communication but can lead to embarrassing accidental sends. Here’s how to record, listen, and control them effectively.
Raise to Listen Feature
Raise to Listen lets you play recent audio messages or record replies hands-free by lifting your iPhone to your ear. Enabled by default, it activates within two minutes of a message arriving.
This proves handy for quick responses without tapping buttons, especially when conveying tone or emotion that text struggles to capture. It works across iMessage and RCS chats seamlessly.
How to Record Audio Messages
To hear an incoming audio message, raise your iPhone to your ear. After listening, raise it again to record a reply—lower it when finished to prepare sending.
For manual recording anytime, tap the plus (+) button left of the text field, then select Audio to start immediately.
Avoiding Accidental Recordings
Raising your iPhone too soon after listening can trigger unintended recordings, capturing background noise or private moments. Check the Messages app to spot pending sends.
Manage mistakes quickly:
- Double-tap the message and delete without sending.
- Press and hold a sent message to unsend within the time limit.
- Play back recordings before sending to review content.
Customize Audio Settings
Open Settings, go to Apps > Messages > Audio Messages to adjust:
- Expire: Set to Never for permanent storage, or keep the 2-minute default.
- Raise to Listen: Toggle off to prevent automatic playback and recording—tap play manually instead.
Disabling Raise to Listen maintains full audio functionality while eliminating surprises.
Best Practices
Use earphones for privacy during playback and recording to keep content discreet. Speak softly to avoid disturbing others nearby.
Audio messages suit those preferring voice over typing, especially for nuanced conversations, but always verify before sending.
