Voice Messages on iPhone: What They Are and How to Turn Them On
Voice Messages is a feature that lets people send you short audio recordings through the Messages app instead of typing text. On iPhone, this feature is usually on by default, but you can turn it off if you don't want to receive them — and you should know where the setting lives so you can change it back if you need to.
The setting sits in the Messages app itself, not in your main Settings. This matters because it means you control voice messages separately from other messaging features. You can have text messages on but voice messages off, or vice versa.
Key Takeaways
- Voice Messages are turned on by default in the Messages app, but you can disable them if you don't want to receive audio recordings from contacts.
- The setting is in Messages > Settings (or Preferences on older iPhones), not in your main iPhone Settings app.
- Turning off voice messages does not affect your ability to send or receive regular text messages, photos, or other content through Messages.
- If you turn voice messages off, people who try to send you one will see a message saying you don't accept voice messages, so they can type instead.
Where to Find the Voice Messages Setting
Open the Messages app on your iPhone. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see four icons: one looks like a speech bubble (that's Messages), one looks like a pencil (Compose), one looks like a person (Contacts), and one looks like three dots or lines (More). Tap the three dots or lines icon in the bottom right.
From that menu, tap Settings (on newer iPhones running iOS 17 or later) or Preferences (on older versions). You'll see a list of options. Look for Audio Messages or Voice Messages — the exact name depends on your iOS version, but it will be one of these two.
If you're using an older iPhone and don't see a three-dot menu at the bottom, try tapping Edit in the top left corner of the Messages app, then look for a Settings or Preferences option there.
How to Turn Voice Messages On or Off
Once you find the Audio Messages or Voice Messages setting, you'll see a toggle switch next to it. The switch will be green and to the right if voice messages are on, or gray and to the left if they're off.
Tap the switch to change it. That's all you need to do. The change takes effect when ready — you don't need to restart your phone or confirm anything else.
If voice messages are on and someone sends you one, you'll see a small play button in the message thread. Tap it to listen. If voice messages are off and someone tries to send you one, they'll get a notification that you don't accept voice messages, and they can type a regular message instead.
Why You Might Want to Turn Voice Messages Off
Voice messages use data or cellular service to send and receive, just like any other message. If you're on a limited data plan or in an area with spotty service, turning them off can help you avoid unexpected data use or failed message delivery.
Some people also turn off voice messages because they prefer not to listen to audio — they'd rather read text. That's a valid choice, and the setting respects it. Turning it off doesn't break your ability to communicate; it just means people will text you instead.
If you're concerned about privacy, note that voice messages are stored on your phone just like text messages are. Turning off the feature doesn't change how your existing messages are stored or who can see them — it only stops new voice messages from coming in.
What Happens When You Turn Voice Messages Off
When voice messages are off, anyone who tries to send you one will see a message in the Messages app saying something like "This person doesn't accept voice messages." They can still send you a regular text message, photo, or any other type of message — only voice messages are blocked.
You won't get a notification that someone tried to send you a voice message. The sender will know you don't accept them, but you won't see a record of the attempt. This is different from blocking someone entirely, which prevents all messages from reaching you.
Turning Voice Messages Back On
If you turn voice messages off and later change your mind, go back to Messages > Settings (or Preferences) > Audio Messages (or Voice Messages) and tap the toggle to turn it back on. The process is identical to turning it off.
Once you turn it back on, people can send you voice messages again. Any voice messages they sent while the feature was off won't appear — the feature only works going forward, not retroactively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn off voice messages for just one person?
No. The voice messages setting applies to everyone in your contacts. If you want to stop receiving messages from a specific person, you can block them entirely through their contact card, but that blocks all message types, not just voice messages.
Do voice messages use more data than text messages?
Yes. A voice message is an audio file, so it uses more data than a text message. The exact amount depends on how long the message is, but a typical 30-second voice message might use 100 to 300 kilobytes of data.
What if I accidentally delete a voice message?
If you delete a voice message from a conversation, it's gone. Messages doesn't have a trash or recovery option for deleted messages. If you want to keep a voice message, don't swipe left on it or tap Edit and Delete.
Will turning off voice messages affect FaceTime audio calls?
No. The voice messages setting only controls audio recordings sent through the Messages app. FaceTime calls, phone calls, and voice notes in other apps are not affected.
Can I listen to voice messages without downloading them?
Voice messages read automatically when they arrive, so you don't have a choice about that. Once downloaded, they stay on your phone until you delete them, and they count toward your phone's storage.