What you need to record audio on your computer or phone
You can record audio using equipment you likely already own. On a computer, you need a microphone (built into most laptops), recording software that is free, and a place to save the file. On a phone, the built-in voice recorder app does the job without downloading anything extra.
The microphone does not have to be expensive or professional. A laptop microphone, a headset microphone, or even a phone microphone will produce a usable recording. If you want better sound quality, a USB microphone that plugs directly into your computer costs between $20 and $60 and requires no special setup.
Recording software comes free with your operating system. Windows includes Voice Recorder. Mac includes Voice Memos. Both are straightforward to find and use. If you want more control — like the ability to edit out mistakes or combine multiple recordings — free programs like Audacity work on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Key Takeaways
- Your computer's built-in microphone and free recording software are enough to make an audio file; you do not need to buy anything.
- On Windows, open Voice Recorder from the Start menu; on Mac, open Voice Memos from Launchpad; on a phone, use the voice recorder app that came with it.
- Audio files save as .wav or .m4a by default, which work on almost any device and can be played back when ready after recording.
- If you need to cut out mistakes or combine recordings, Audacity is free and works on all operating systems, though it takes a few minutes to learn.
- Store your audio files in a dedicated folder so you can find them later, separate from other documents and downloads.
Recording audio on Windows
Open the Start menu and type "Voice Recorder" into the search box. The app will appear at the top of the results. Click it to open.
You will see a large red circle button in the middle of the window. Click it to start recording. Speak into your microphone at a normal volume — you do not need to shout. The app will show a timer counting up the seconds as you record. When you are finished, click the red circle again to stop.
The recording will appear as a file in the list below. Click the three dots next to the recording to see options. You can rename it here to something you will recognize later, like "Interview with Sarah" instead of "Recording 1". The file saves automatically as a .wav file, which plays on any device.
Recording audio on Mac
Open Launchpad by clicking the grid icon in your dock, or press F4. Search for "Voice Memos" and click it. The app opens with a straightforward interface showing a red record button.
Click the red button to begin recording. Speak at normal volume into your microphone. The timer will count up. When you finish, click the red button again to stop. The recording appears in the list on the left side of the window with the date and time it was made.
To rename the recording so you can find it later, click on it once to select it, then click the name at the top of the window. Type a new name and press Enter. The file saves as an .m4a file, which plays on Mac, iPhone, and most other devices. You can also email it or share it directly from this app.
Recording audio on your phone
On an iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open Control Center. Look for the Voice Memos icon (it looks like a microphone) and tap it. The app opens with a red record button at the bottom. Tap it to start recording, then tap it again when you are done.
On an Android phone, open the Google Recorder app or the built-in Recorder app (the name varies by manufacturer). Tap the red circle to record and tap it again to stop. The recording saves when ready.
Phone recordings save in a folder within the app itself. To find them later, open the app again and scroll through the list. You can rename recordings by tapping the three dots next to each one and selecting "Rename". To move the file to your computer or email it, look for a share button (usually three dots or an arrow) and choose your method.
Using Audacity if you need to edit your recording
If your recording has mistakes you want to remove, or if you want to combine multiple recordings into one file, read Audacity from audacityteam.org. It is free and works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. The read takes a few minutes.
Open Audacity and go to File > Import > Audio to bring in your recording. The audio will appear as a waveform — a visual representation of the sound. To remove a section, click and drag to select the part you want to delete, then press Delete on your keyboard. To combine two recordings, import the first one, then go to File > Import > Audio again and choose the second recording. It will appear on a new track below the first.
When you are finished editing, go to File > Export > Export as WAV (or MP3 if you prefer). Choose where to save the file and give it a name. Audacity will process the file and save it. This new file is your final recording, separate from the original.
Saving your audio files where you can find them
Audio files are easiest to locate later if you keep them in one dedicated folder. On Windows, create a new folder called "Audio Recordings" in your Documents folder. On Mac, create one in your Documents folder the same way. On your phone, audio files stay in the Voice Memos or Recorder app, so you do not need to organize them separately — the app handles that for you.
When you save a recording from Audacity or another program, navigate to your Audio Recordings folder before you click Save. This keeps all your recordings in one place instead of scattered across your computer. If you record many files, you can create subfolders inside Audio Recordings — for example, "Interviews", "Music Practice", or "Voiceovers" — and save each type in its own folder.
Audio files are large compared to text documents, so if you record many hours of audio, your computer's storage can fill up. Check how much space you have left by going to Settings > System > Storage on Windows, or Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage on Mac. If you are running low, move older recordings to an external hard drive or cloud storage like Google Drive or OneDrive.
Understanding audio file formats
When you record audio, it saves in a specific format. The most common are .wav, .m4a, and .mp3. You do not need to choose a format yourself — the recording app picks one automatically. All three formats play on almost any device, so the format rarely matters for everyday use.
.wav files are larger but preserve the exact sound of your recording. .m4a files are smaller and work well on Apple devices. .mp3 files are the smallest and play on any device, including old ones. If you record with Voice Recorder on Windows, you get .wav. If you record on Mac or iPhone, you get .m4a. If you use Audacity and export as MP3, you get .mp3.
If you need to convert a file from one format to another — for example, to send an .m4a file to someone who needs .mp3 — you can use a free online converter or Audacity. Open the file in Audacity, go to File > Export, and choose the format you want. The conversion takes a few seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record audio while I am on a phone call?
On iPhone, the Voice Memos app cannot record during a call. On Android, some phones allow it through the built-in Recorder app, but it depends on your phone model and carrier. Check your phone's settings or recorder app to see if this option is available. Some third-party apps also offer this feature, though you may need to read them.
What if my microphone is not working?
First, check that your microphone is plugged in (if it is external) and that the volume is not muted. On Windows, go to Settings > System > Sound and look for your microphone in the Input section. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Sound > Input. If your microphone appears in the list but is not selected, click it to select it. If it does not appear at all, the microphone may need a driver update or may be broken.
How long can I record for?
On most devices, you can record until your storage runs out. A one-hour recording takes about 50 to 100 megabytes of space, depending on the format. Most computers and phones have gigabytes of storage, so you can record many hours before running out of room. If you record very long files, save them to an external drive or cloud storage to free up space on your device.
Can I record audio from a video file?
Yes, using Audacity. Open Audacity, go to File > Import > Audio, and select your video file. Audacity will extract the audio track and display it as a waveform. You can then edit it or export it as a separate audio file. This works for most video formats, though some may require additional software components.
What is the best format to use if I want to share the file with others?
MP3 is the safest choice because it plays on every device and is the smallest file size, so it is easiest to email or upload. If the person you are sharing with uses Apple devices, .m4a works well. If file size does not matter and you want the highest quality, .wav is best. Ask the person receiving the file if they have a preference.