How to Send a Voice Message in iMessage on an iPhone

iMessage is the Apple Messaging app used for sending end-to-end encrypted texts, photos, videos, and audio – between Apple devices. Sending voice messages is convenient in times when we have lots to say. If you want to know how to send a voice iMessage, we’ve outlined the steps in this guide.

As well as the steps for sending voice, photo, and video iMessage’s, we’ve included how to set up and manage iMessage group chats, plus, a bunch of other useful iMessaging tips.

How to Send a Voice Message With iMessage

To send a voice message with iMessage:

1. Launch the iMessage app.
   
2. To create a new message, either click on the pen icon from the top-right corner or open an existing iMessage chat.
   
3. Select and hold the microphone or vertical lines icon located on the right of the text box, then start recording your message.
   
4. Release the recording button once you’ve finished recording.
   
5. Now choose from the following options:

• To listen to your message, click on the play button.
  
• To send it, click on the blue upward-pointing arrow
  
• To cancel it click on the “X.”
  

How to Change Expiration Length of Voice Messages on iMessage

You can change the expiration time from two minutes to never self-destruct once the voice message has been listened to:

1. Launch “Settings.”
   
2. Select “Messages.”
   
3. Scroll down to “Audio Messages” and click on “Expire.”
   
4. Select the “Never” option.
   

Note: You can’t change this setting in the Messages app via macOS, but the setting will sync from your iOS device.

Additional FAQs

Why Do My Voice Messages in iMessage Disappear?

Audio messages will self-destruct after the time limit set in your Messages settings. To stop them from disappearing do the following:

1. Launch “Settings.”

2. Select “Messages.”

3. Scroll down to “Audio Messages” and click on “Expire.”

4. Select the “Never” option.

Note: For audio files sent as attachments the expire setting doesn’t kick in.

Why Can’t I Send Voice Messages Through iMessage?

If your voice messages are showing as green and “Not delivered” when trying to send to another Apple device user, then try the following:

Ensure Your Dictation Switch Is Enabled

On your iOS device:

1. Go to “Settings.”

2. Select “General” then “Keyboard” then scroll down to the “English” section.

3. Toggle ON the “Enable Dictation” option.

4. Then hit “Enable Dictation” from the pop-up to confirm.

Ensure You Have Network Coverage

Check that you have a good network connection or Wi-Fi service. If connections are poor, you won’t be able to send your voice message even if your device is working as expected.

Try Refreshing the Software

1. Turn off your device.

2. Wait for five or so seconds.

3. Turn it back on.

· This can help to refresh your device software and restore better signal connections.

What Is the Difference Between Text Message and iMessage?

iMessages only work when sent between Apple devices – these messages are blue. When an iMessage is sent to an Android device it will be sent as an SMS message – these messages are green.

How to Send a Video in an iMessage?

1. Launch the Messages app, then click on the pen icon from the top-left corner to start a message.

2. Enter your recipients, then click on the Camera icon.

3. Once the Camera opens, select “Video.”

4. To start recording hit the red button or the Star icon to add video effects before or when you’ve completed recording.

5. Once your video is complete, click on the red button again, then select “Edit” if you need to edit or “Done.”

6. If you don’t want to send the video, click on the “X” from the top-right corner; or else, click on the blue upward-pointing arrow to send.

How to Send Photos in an iMessage?

1. Launch the Messages app, then click on the pen icon from the top-left corner to start a message.

2. Enter your recipients, then click on the Camera icon.

3. When the Photo feature displays, press the white circle at the bottom-center of the screen to take a photo.

4. You can now select:

· The start icon for effects

· The filter icon to edit, or

· The highlighter pen icon to personalize the photo.

5. To send the message hit the blue upward-pointing arrow icon, or “Done” to enter a message to send with the photo.

· If you don’t want to send the photo press the “X” from the top-right corner of the photo.

How to Send an Existing Video or Photo?

1. Launch the Messages app, then click on the pen icon from the top-left corner to start a message.

2. Press the photos icon at the bottom-left of the screen.

3. Click on the photo you want to send or select “All Photos” to choose a picture from your selection.

4. Once you’ve selected the photo you can edit it by selecting the edit or markup icons.

5. Hit the blue upward-pointing arrow button to send.

How to Send an iMessage Group Text?

1. Launch the Messages app.

2. From the top-left corner, click on the pen icon to create a new message.

3. Click on the plus sign to add people from your contacts or enter the names of the people you wish to send the message to.

4. Type in your message then hit the blue upward-pointing arrow to send.

How to Share Your Location in iMessage?

1. Launch the Messages app.

2. Click on the pen icon from the top-right corner or select someone from your previous conversations.

3. From the top-right, click on the “info” icon, then select:

· “Send My Current Location” for your recipient to see where you are on the map.

· “Share My Location,” then select how long you wish your location to be shared.

How to Create a Group iMessage?

If you need to communicate with more than one person at once, with Group iMessage you can do the following:

• View responses from the group

• Send and receive videos, photos, and voice messages

• Share locations with the group

• Send and receive message effects like animations, sketches, and bubble effects, etc.

• Add and remove people from the group, give it a name, or leave the group.

Note: If possible, everyone you want to add to your group should have access to iMessage. If not, your carrier may charge you to send in SMS or MMS.

To create a group iMessage:

1. Launch the Messages app on any Apple device.

2. Click on the pen icon from the top-right corner to start a new message.

3. In the “To:” text field, enter the names, numbers, or email addresses for everyone you wish to add to the group; or click on the plus sign icon to add people from your contacts list.

4. As you add recipients their names will either appear in:

· Blue when they have access to iMessage, or

· Green when they only have access to MMS or SMS.

5. Now type your message and click on the blue upward-pointing arrow icon to send.

Note: The maximum number of contacts you can add to a group may be limited by your cell carrier.

How to Name a Group Chat in the Messages App?

1. Launch the Messages app, then find the group chat you’d like to name.

2. At the top of the message, click on the member’s profile pictures.

3. Tap on the “info” icon.

4. Select “Change Name and Photo.”

5. Click on “Enter a group name” to add the group’s name.

6. Click on “Done” once you’ve finished.

To add an image to the group chat:

1. Open the group chat, then click on the group name.

2. Click on the “info” icon.

3. Select “Change Name and Photo.”

4. Scroll down to choose a pre-selected group chat picture or select one of the four icons to create your own:

· Camera: to take a new photo

· Photos: to select a photo from your library

· Emoji: to choose an Emoji and background-color

· Pencil: to enter two letters and select a background color.

5. Once complete, click on “Done.”

How to Mention People in Group Chats?

To send someone a direct message in the group chat:

1. Launch the Messages app and navigate to your group chat.

2. In the message text field, enter the “@” symbol followed by the person’s name – their name will either appear in blue or bold.

3. Enter what you want to say to that person then “Send” as normal.

How to Remove Someone From a Group Chat?

1. Launch the Messages app and open the group chat message.

2. Click on the group chat image at the top of the screen.

3. Click on the “info” icon to see the group members.

4. Find the person you wish to remove from the group, slide left on them, then select “Remove.”

· The person will be notified that they have “Left the Conversation.” They won’t be able to send or receive messages from the group chat – unless you add them again.

How to Leave a Chat?

1. Launch the Messages app and open the group chat message.

2. From the top of the screen, click on the group chat image, then the “info” icon.

3. Scroll down to select the “Leave this Conversation” option.

Getting Your Voice Heard With iMessages

iMessage is an end-to-end encrypted method of sending free messages between iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches. Since its launch in 2011, it has shown itself to be a leader in its field and battled off competitors like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Viber.

Now that we’ve shown you how to send voice, photo, and video iMessage’s, how to create and manage an iMessage chat group, and many other useful iMessage things – which method of message sending do you prefer – voice or text? Have you played around with any of the photo and video effects and editing options? If so, which are your favorite? We’d love to hear about your experiences using iMessage, tell us in the comments section below.