Get Email Me on the App Store to record voice notes that land straight in your inbox.
3 ways to record voice notes on iPhone
| Voice Memos | Notes app | Email Me | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where the note ends up | In Voice Memos | Inside a note | In your email inbox |
| To email it | Share, then Mail | Share the note | Sent when you tap Send |
| Best for | Long recordings, interviews, music | Audio next to your written notes | Quick notes, reminders, ideas |
1. Voice Memos
- Open Voice Memos (it's preinstalled; search for it if it isn't on your Home Screen).
- Tap the red Record button and speak.
- Tap the red stop button when you're done. The recording is saved with your location or the date as its name. Tap the name to rename it.
There is no fixed time limit, only your free storage. Voice Memos can't record phone calls.
2. The Notes app (iOS 18 and later)
- Open a note in Notes.
- Tap the paperclip button above the keyboard and choose Record Audio.
- Tap record, speak, then tap Done. The recording stays in the note, next to whatever you wrote.
3. Email Me: record and send in one step
Use this when the note belongs in your inbox: a reminder, an idea or something to do later.
Step 1: Install Email Me and add your email address
Download Email Me from the App Store, open it and add your email address as the recipient.
Step 2: Tap the microphone to start recording
Step 3: Review the transcript and tap Send
The transcript appears while you speak. When you are finished, check it and tap Send. The note arrives at your email address with the recording and the text, depending on your settings.
How to email a voice memo from iPhone
- Open Voice Memos and tap the recording.
- Tap the More button (three dots).
- Tap Share, then Mail.
- Enter the address (your own, to send it to yourself) and tap Send.
The memo goes as an audio file that plays on iPhone, Mac, Windows and Android. Short memos fit easily under the usual 20 to 25 MB attachment limit. For a very long recording, tap Use Mail Drop when Mail offers it, and the email carries a download link instead.
You can also share a memo to Email Me from the same Share menu, so you don't have to type your address.
Need the words, not just the audio?
Turning a recording into text is its own topic: see how to transcribe a voice memo on iPhone for the Voice Memos transcript, Email Me and other options. For a class or workshop rather than a quick reminder, use the lecture recording and transcript workflow.
Tips for faster voice notes
- Record the moment the app opens: in Email Me, go to Settings, Advanced and turn on Start recording audio on App launch.
- Send when you stop talking: in the same screen, turn on Auto-send after silence.
- Hands-free: say "Hey Siri, Create an audio note in Email Me". The Siri guide has the setup.
- Pick the transcript language: also in Settings, Advanced, under Transcript Language.
Manuel Escrig
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I record a voice note on iPhone?
Open the Voice Memos app and tap the red Record button. Tap it again to stop, and the recording is saved. You can also record audio inside a note in the Notes app, or with Email Me, which sends the note to your inbox.
How do I email a voice memo from my iPhone?
In Voice Memos, tap the recording, tap the More button (three dots), tap Share and choose Mail. Enter the address and tap Send. Short memos fit easily as an attachment; for very long ones, use Mail Drop.
Can I record a voice note in the Notes app?
Yes, on iOS 18 and later. Open a note, tap the paperclip button and choose Record Audio. Supported iPhones can also show a transcript of the recording.
What's the fastest way to take voice notes and keep them?
Email Me opens ready to record, shows the transcript while you speak and emails the note to your inbox when you tap Send, so there's nothing to share or file afterward.
More ways to send things to your inbox: the complete guide to emailing yourself.
