How to Record Audio on iPhone (2025)

If you're tired of missing important details during client conversations or struggling to remember exactly what was discussed in yesterday's sales meeting, it's time to master how to record audio on iPhone. Your iPhone is already equipped with powerful recording capabilities that can transform how you capture and reference business conversations, but most people only scratch the surface of what's possible. From basic voice memos for quick notes to advanced recording setups for important client calls, there are multiple ways to ensure you never lose track of valuable information again.

How to record audio on iPhone using the Voice Memos app?

The Voice Memos app is your iPhone's built-in solution for quick and reliable audio recording, perfect for capturing client conversations, meeting notes, or important ideas on the go. Here's how to use it effectively for your business needs:

Step 1: Locate and open the Voice Memos app

Look for the Voice Memos app on your phone - it's the black icon with white sound waves on it. Can't find it? Just swipe down from the middle of your screen and type "Voice Memos" in the search bar that appears.

If you record audio regularly for work, you can add Voice Memos to your Control Center for super quick access. Just go to Settings, then Control Center, tap "Customize Controls," and hit the green plus sign next to "Voice Memos." Now you can start recording right from your lock screen or any app.

Step 2: Position your iPhone and start recording

Hold your iPhone with the microphone (located at the bottom) pointing toward the sound source, ideally 6-12 inches away from the speaker. Tap the large red circular record button at the bottom center of the screen to begin capturing audio immediately. You'll notice the button turns into a pulsing red circle and a timer appears, confirming that recording has started successfully.

Step 3: Use recording controls during your session

While recording, you can tap the red button to pause temporarily without stopping the entire session - useful when conversations are interrupted or you need to exclude sensitive information. To resume, simply tap the red button again. If you need to mark important moments during long recordings, tap anywhere on the waveform display to add a visual marker that helps you navigate to key sections later.

Step 4: Stop, name, and save your recording

Tap "Stop" when your recording session is complete, and the app will automatically save the file with a timestamp. Immediately rename your recording by tapping on the auto-generated title and typing something descriptive like "Johnson Contract Discussion 12-15" or "Team Strategy Call Notes." This makes it much easier to find specific recordings later, especially when you're managing multiple client conversations and meetings throughout the week. For added convenience, Voice Memos can also be converted to text, making your audio notes even more accessible and searchable.

If you're looking to record phone calls when there isn't a built-in app, you can refer to our blog: Record a Phone Call on iPhone Without an App.

Simple steps to improve your recording quality before you start

Getting good audio from your iPhone recordings doesn't require expensive equipment - just a few smart preparations that take less than a minute but make a huge difference in how clear and professional your recordings sound.

Step 1: Find a quiet spot for recording

Look for a space away from noisy air conditioners, busy hallways, or humming office equipment that will compete with voices on your recording. Conference rooms work well, but avoid ones with lots of windows facing noisy streets or hard surfaces that make voices echo. If you're taking a client call, step into your office or find a quiet corner where you won't have people walking by or talking nearby - these background sounds make it much harder to hear important details later.

Step 2: Set up your iPhone in the right spot

Put your iPhone on a steady surface like a desk or table instead of holding it - even small hand movements create rustling sounds that show up in recordings. Point the bottom of your phone (where the microphone is) toward whoever will be talking most, keeping it about an arm's length away for the best sound pickup. For group meetings, place your phone in the middle of the table so it can catch everyone's voices equally well, and keep it away from laptops or papers that people might accidentally tap or shuffle.

Step 3: Get your phone ready for uninterrupted recording

Close any apps you're not using and check that you have enough storage space - most business conversations use about 30 MB per hour, which isn't much but can add up quickly if your phone is already full. Turn on "Do Not Disturb" so incoming calls or text messages won't interrupt your recording, and if you're worried about reception issues, switch to airplane mode but keep WiFi on so cloud features still work.

Step 4: Do a quick sound check first

Before starting your actual recording, capture a short 10-second test where you speak normally from the same distance you'll be using during the real conversation. Play it back right away to make sure you can hear clearly without straining and that there's no distracting background noise. If it sounds too quiet or muffled, simply move your phone closer or try a different spot in the room - this small test can save you from ending up with a recording you can't actually use.

How to record audio on iPhone using external devices?

While the iPhone's Voice Memos app works great for quick notes and casual recordings, it has some real limitations when you're dealing with important sales conversations. You can't automatically figure out who said what during client meetings, there's no way to turn audio into text without paying for separate services, and you can't quickly search through old recordings to find specific information. This is where dedicated recording devices like Plaud's products come in - they take your audio and turn it into organized, searchable business information that actually helps you follow up with clients and close more deals.

Step 1: Figure out what you need beyond basic voice memos

Accurate transcriptions

When you're managing multiple clients and prospects each week, you need more than just audio files taking up space on your phone. Getting your recordings automatically converted to text means you can quickly scan through conversations, search for specific topics, and reference important details without having to listen to entire meetings again. This saves huge amounts of time when you're preparing for follow-up calls or need to quote something a client said in your proposals.

Speaker identification

In meetings with several decision-makers, knowing exactly who said what can completely change your sales approach. Did the budget concerns come from the CFO or the department manager? Which person seemed most excited about your product features? When you know who made which comments, you can customize your follow-up messages to address each person's specific interests and concerns instead of sending generic information to everyone.

Searchable content

Being able to search through all your past conversations for keywords, client names, or specific topics turns your recordings into a powerful database of client information. Instead of trying to remember which meeting covered delivery schedules or pricing discussions, you can instantly find exactly what you need when writing proposals or answering client questions during follow-up calls.

Step 2: Choose the right tool - Plaud's smart recording solution

The PLAUD NOTE solves these problems by combining high-quality recording with smart AI features that automatically handle the heavy lifting. This small device attaches magnetically to your iPhone and can record both phone calls and face-to-face conversations with professional quality audio. What makes it special is the built-in AI that uses advanced technology from GPT-4.1, Claude 3.7 Sonnet, and other leading systems to automatically:

1. Transcribe your conversations in 112 different languages - no matter what language your international clients speak

2. Identify different speakers - so you know exactly who said what during group meetings

3. Create organized summaries - using over 2000 templates designed  for business situations

4. Store everything in the cloud - with unlimited storage so you never lose important conversations

The device itself is incredibly practical for busy sales professionals. It weighs just over an ounce, measures thinner than most credit cards, and offers 30 hours of continuous recording with 64GB of built-in storage. You can record all day without worrying about battery life or running out of space, and it won't add bulk to your phone or interfere with normal use.

Step 3: Record and capture critical conversations

Set up your Plaud device

1. For phone calls: Attach the PLAUD NOTE to your iPhone using the included magnetic case - it automatically detects when you're on a call and starts recording without any additional steps.

2. For in-person meetings: Place the device on the conference table between you and your clients, or keep it attached to your phone if you're holding it nearby during the conversation.

3. Check the positioning: The built-in high-quality microphones work well in typical office settings, but make sure the device isn't blocked by papers or other objects that might muffle the sound.

Step 4: Start your recording session

• Press the single record button on the PLAUD NOTE to begin capturing audio - you'll see a simple indicator that recording has started.

• Continue your conversation normally - there's no need to monitor your phone, worry about apps crashing, or think about the recording process once it's started.
• Let the device handle everything - with 30-hour battery life and 60-day standby time, you can record multiple long meetings without any interruptions or technical concerns.

Step 5: Stay focused on what matters

With the recording completely automated, you can give your full attention to the actual conversation. This means better eye contact with clients, more natural discussions, and the ability to pick up on important verbal cues and body language that you might miss when you're busy taking notes. Many sales professionals find that their client relationships improve significantly when they can be fully present instead of distracted by note-taking.

• Automatic processing: After your meeting ends, the Plaud Intelligence system immediately starts working on your recording, creating accurate text transcriptions and identifying who spoke when.
• Professional summaries: You'll receive organized summaries specifically designed for sales situations, highlighting key discussion points, client concerns, action items, and follow-up opportunities.
• Easy access: Everything gets stored in unlimited cloud storage that syncs across all your devices, so you can access your conversation insights from your phone, tablet, or computer.
• Quick reference: Instead of listening to hours of audio, you get concise, actionable insights that you can review immediately or share with your sales team for strategy discussions.

How to share audio recordings on iPhone?

Once you've captured important client conversations or meeting recordings on your iPhone, you'll often need to share them with team members, supervisors, or colleagues for review and collaboration. The iPhone makes it straightforward to share your audio files through multiple methods depending on your specific needs and workplace requirements.

Share directly from the Voice Memos app

1. Open your Voice Memos app and find the recording you want to share from your list of saved files.

2. Tap on the recording to select it, then look for the share icon (a square with an upward arrow) in the bottom-left corner of the screen.

3. Choose your sharing method from the options that appear - you can send via Messages, Mail, or AirDrop to nearby Apple devices or save to cloud services like Dropbox or Google Drive.

4. Add recipients and send for email sharing, add recipient addresses and include a descriptive subject line like "Client Meeting Recording—ABC Corp Discussion" to help colleagues understand the content.

Use AirDrop for quick team sharing

If you're sharing with colleagues who have Apple devices and are physically nearby, AirDrop offers the fastest method. Make sure both devices have AirDrop enabled (swipe up from the bottom of your screen and tap the AirDrop icon), then select the recording and choose the recipient's device from the AirDrop options. The file transfers directly without needing email addresses or messaging apps, making it perfect for immediate post-meeting sharing.

Share through cloud storage services

For larger files or when you need to share with multiple team members, cloud storage works best. When you tap the share button on your recording, select "Save to Files" and choose your preferred cloud service like iCloud Drive, Google Drive, or Dropbox. Once uploaded, you can share the link with anyone who needs access, and they can listen to the recording from any device without needing to download large files to their phones.

Consider file size and privacy

Keep in mind that audio recordings can be large files - a one-hour meeting typically creates a 30MB file that might be too big for some email systems. For sensitive client conversations, always check your company's data sharing policies before sending recordings externally, and consider password-protecting files or using secure company-approved sharing platforms instead of personal email accounts.

Frequently asked questions about how to record audio on iPhone

How do I secretly record audio on my iPhone?

Recording conversations without consent is illegal in many states and countries, so always inform participants that you're recording before starting. However, for discreet recording of your own voice memos or notes, you can use the Voice Memos app quietly by enabling it through Control Center (swipe down from the top-right corner and tap the Voice Memos icon) without opening the full app. You can also ask Siri to "start a voice recording" without touching your phone, though this will announce the action out loud.

How do I record just the audio on my iPhone?

The Voice Memos app records audio only - no video is captured. Open the Voice Memos app, tap the red record button, and your iPhone will capture only sound through its built-in microphones. If you're currently recording video with the Camera app and want to switch to audio-only, simply close the Camera app and open Voice Memos instead. Your iPhone doesn't record video and audio simultaneously in the Voice Memos app.

How do I use my iPhone as a recorder?

Your iPhone works as a recorder through the pre-installed Voice Memos app. Simply open the app, tap the large red circular button to start recording, and tap it again to pause or press "Stop" to end the recording. The app automatically saves your recordings with timestamps, and you can rename them for easy organization. For hands-free recording, you can also tell Siri to "start recording" or "record a voice memo" to begin capturing audio without touching your phone.

How does Descript's Studio Sound feature improve my iPhone recordings?

Descript's Studio Sound is a post-recording enhancement feature that uses AI to improve audio quality by reducing background noise, echo, and room tone while making voices sound clearer and more professional. After recording audio on your iPhone, you would upload the file to Descript's platform, where Studio Sound can process it to remove common issues like air conditioning hum, keyboard typing, or room echo that often interfere with iPhone recordings made in office environments.

Should I use wired or Bluetooth devices to record high-quality audio on my iPhone?

Wired devices generally provide better audio quality for recording because they don't compress the audio signal like Bluetooth does. Lightning-connected or USB-C microphones (depending on your iPhone model) will give you the clearest, most reliable audio capture without the potential for wireless interference or battery issues. However, if you need mobility during recording, high-quality Bluetooth devices can work well—just make sure they're fully charged and stay within close range of your iPhone to avoid connection drops during important recordings.

Recording audio on iPhone made simple for sales success

Recording audio on your iPhone is easier than you think, and it can make a huge difference in how you handle client conversations and important meetings. Whether you stick with the basic Voice Memos app or upgrade to something more advanced like PLAUD NOTE for automatic transcription, the most important thing is to start capturing those crucial details you're currently missing. Try out these recording techniques during your next client call or team meeting - you'll be surprised how much more confident you feel when you know every important detail is safely recorded. If you find yourself wishing for features like automatic transcription or speaker identification, that's when it's worth looking into dedicated recording devices that can turn your conversations into organized, searchable business intelligence.