The iOS Voice Memos App

A detailed description of uses and features

There used to be a time when the voice recorder was essential in the writer’s arsenal. As a creative writer and a world-class texter I regularly capture inspiration, reminders and messages on the go. But when pen and paper are a nuisance or memory fails, I need a simple no-fuss tool to quickly record audio memos, to compose and edit voice messages to organize my ideas and communicate clearly when a phone call across time zones is inconvenient.

This article aims to demonstrate the Voice Memos app features, its ease of operation, creative possibilities, and tips that make a simple, easy to use tool for communication overall. This seldom used app likely gathers dust and spider webs in your iOS utilities bin. It’s also available on Mac OS; this article focuses on mobile devices for convenience. The app debuted in 2009 with the release of iOS 3, and it has always been a barebones utility app — as it should be, much like traffic signs and symbols, simplicity provides efficiency.

Recording audio using the simple interface

You’ll find this utility to be a simple yet powerful audio recording app. The interface is fuss free, easy to use on the go and on short notice to get the job done quickly. The Record Button is the largest on the interface and the time from launch to record is instant, to capture ideas or sounds at the moment of inspiration. It also switches to Stop when a recording is in process.

Tapping on a recording opens up the Play button, More Options button and other tools.

To record a memo or capture sound simply do the following:

1. Launch the app by tapping the Voice Memos icon on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap the Record button.
3. Speak to the mic or place it near a sound source.
4. Use distance to adjust the recording level.
5. Tap the Stop button to finish recording.

Tip: Plug in a headset or high end microphone to your iPhone or iPad to improve sound quality.

Advanced audio recording features

While recording audio you, can tap and drag up the Waveform handle to reveal a drawer containing more goodies to help you record on the fly.

When you edit a recording, the Resume button switches to Pause or Replace, depending on your needs.

To reveal the pause, resume and replace audio options:

1. Tap the Pause button to pause a recording.
2. When a recording is paused, it becomes the Resume button to continue.
3. Drag and align the Waveform with the Playhead to show the Replace button and record over the original file.

Playing back recorded audio

1. Tap the Play button to listen to your recordings.
2. Skip 15 seconds back and forth by tapping the Skip forward or Skip backward button respectively.
3. Tap Done to save your recording.

Tip: You can also tell Siri the phrase “voice memos“ and the app will launch the All Recordings folder, then just tap the Record button.

Basic sound editing

I use the editor to polish audio messages for friends who live abroad, then send them using WhatsApp — which also includes a voice recorder — but I’ve sent messages on the fly to the wrong person, at the wrong time, or said things that could have been said better, or not at all. Save yourself grief and embarassment. With the Voice Memos app you can record, edit and send well thought out messages with confidence.

The Trim button reveals the Trim, Delete and Thumb Track controls.

To edit a recording do the following:

1. Select the recording you want to edit > tap the Trim button.
2. Drag the yellow trim handles in the Waveform, or the Thumb Track at the bottom to adjust its length.
3. Two yellow buttons then activate:
   Trim saves your selection and deletes everything else.
   Delete removes your selection only.
4. If you delete intermedial audio, the split clip joins together to seal the gap.
5. When you drag the waveform left or right over the playhead, the Replace button activates allowing you to re-record over any point in the timeline.

Tip: You can also access the sound editor by selecting a recording from the list and tapping the More Options button.

Enhancing audio recordings

A new feature in the iOS 14 release is the Sound Enhancement filter to reduce background noise and echoes. To apply it do the following:

Select a recording > tap the Enhancement filter (the magic wand).

It can only be applied one clip at a time, instead of groups or folders, but it’s a quick solution for noisy environments.

Deleting audio recordings

There are two ways to delete a memo — one by one, or selecting a list within a folder. If you want to delete everything, or recover files, you can do so in the All Recordings screen.

Delete a group of files by tapping into that group’s folder.

1. To delete a single file: Tap to select the recording > tap the Trash button.
2. To delete a group: Open a list > tap Edit at the top right of the screen > select the recordings from the list > press Delete.

Restoring deleted recordings

If you want to recover one or all of your files, or delete them, go to the Recently Deleted folder and tap the file you want to recover or delete:

1. Recover a file: Recently Deleted > [Your recording] > Recover.
2. Recover all files: Tap Edit > Recover All.
3. Delete all files: Tap Edit > Delete All.

Renaming and storing files

I recommend always renaming files and folders. Keeping the default labels eventually leads to confusion, especially when digging though a stack of files you recorded weeks or months ago, save yourself time and headaches.

Files are easier to find, organize, restore and delete when labeled appropriately.

To name and search a recording do the following:

1. Tap the recording > Tap the name and rename it to your liking.
2. To search a recording, in the Voice Memos list swipe down the screen to reveal the Search Field. Tap into it and enter the name and tap Search.

You can also designate that the name be a location. This feature can be turned on by doing the following:

1. Go to Settings > Voice Memos > Location-Based Naming.
2. Toggle On or Off.

Adding and removing Actions

Commonly used actions can be added to the Active Actions list. The list is accesible through the More options button, the Edit actions button is hidden at the bottom of the screen and is easy to miss. There you will see two lists, the first shows the active actions, and the other shows other actions available.

Actions are accessible by tapping the More Options button within each audio file.

To add an action to the active list simply do the following:

1. Tap the More Options button in your audio file.
2. A drawer slides up. Tap and drag the drawer to the top.
3. Tap the Edit Actions button at the bottom of the screen.
4. Tap the Add button or Delete button to add or remove the actions you want on the active list.
5. Rearange your actions by draging the action up or down using the Reorder button.
6. Tap Done and then tap the Close button.

You can also rearrange your actions by tapping and holding the Reorder button on the desired action and draging it up or down. Visit the iPhone official guide to for more information.

How to use Voice Memos for personal messages

I dislike thumbing out long tedious text messages or notes. I use voice dictation to compose long messages. But to add a personal touch I make audio recordings, even add sound effects or play background music to add ambience and personality. It’s easy to do, and sure to get a replay from the recipient.

The share screen offfers the options to share recordings with contacts or through other apps.

To share a recording with a friend, coworker, or send it over to another device do this:

1. Go to the Voice Memos list.
2. Tap your recording.
3. Tap the More Options button.
4. Tap Share and choose one of the available apps in your device.
5. Choose or enter recipient
6. Tap Send or Done.

As you can see, this app is much more than a simple voice recorder on your iPhone, it’s communication app as well.

Storing files on iCloud

You can also back up all your recordings to your iCloud account. This frees up space in your phone as files can stack up over time, especially if you have applied the Enhancement filter or use lossless settings. Activate this feature by signing in to your iCloud account. New recordings and updates are backed up automatically, and devices using that same account can access them.

Settings > Account name > iCloud > Voice Memos

Why is this app important to your creativity?

Inspiration can appear at any moment and the Voice Memos app is the perfect tool to capture that moment. If you’re a writer, all around creative, or simply a busy person, here are a few more ideas:

1. Capture music you like.
2. Collect sound effects.
3. Record and edit updates, instructions, or follow ups.
4. Share those files with coworkers through email, Messages, Slack, Skype, Dropbox and other third-party apps already installed on your device.

Some of you will undoubtedly mention that there are better apps in the App Store with more gadgets, options and features. Yes, of course there are. But in my opinion simple is better. But the best part is that you already have this app installed on your iPhone. All you need is inspiration, creativity and this guide.

Joseph Cael Rogue | Rogue Script LLC