We’ve all been there. You have been in a text conversation for 10 minutes and are tired of talking with your thumbs. That’s where audio messages come in.
You talk on the phone and send a voice message directly to your friends and family. It is like a one-sided phone call and is much more personal than sending a text message.
I don’t know about you, but I ignore incoming calls more often than ever with endless automatic calls. Tap or click for internal tactics to end automatic calls.
Pick up your iPhone or Android and I’ll guide you through sending an audio message. It’s fun and a great way to keep in touch with loved ones near and far.
Sending audio messages with your iPhone
When you are texting from your iPhone, sending an audio message is as easy as tapping the button. That is, as long as you send text messages to someone who also has an iPhone. It’s a little more complicated if your friend has an Android.
First, here’s how to send an audio message from one iPhone to another.
● Open a conversation and tap the record icon to the right of the text box.
● Record your message and make sure to keep your finger on the bottom at all times. When you’re done, release your finger.
If you want to hear your recording, tap the play button. Press the “X” button to delete your recording. To send it, just click on the arrow pointing upwards.
Note: Once your message is sent, it will disappear in two minutes. If you want to keep the voicemail in the conversation, navigate to your Settings.
● Touch Messaging and scroll down to Audio messages.
● Then, touch Exhale. Here, you can change the default expiration time from two minutes to never.
If you have an iPhone and want to send an audio message to an Android user, open the Voice Memo application that comes built into each iPhone.
Record a memo and share that recording as an attachment. Of course, you are not using the messaging app, but it has the same effect.
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Sending audio messages using an Android phone
When you have an Android phone, sending audio messages is not as easy as just pressing the button. You have three options.
1. Use Android messaging
To send audio clips through the Google messaging app, just follow these easy steps.
● In Settings, give Android messages permission to use your microphone.
● Open a conversation.
● Click on the + green sign to the left of the text box.
● Touch the microphone icon at the bottom of the screen.
Then press and hold the button while recording your message.
2. Use a voice recording application
Like iPhones, Androids come with standard voice recording applications. From the home screen, navigate to the integrated Voice Recorder application. Press Record, speak your message and send the audio clip to a friend.
If you don’t want to do this every time, you can also try using the smartphone’s built-in helper.
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3. Use the Google Assistant
This is the easiest method of all. First, say “Hey, Google” or “Ok Google”. Then, tell Google Assistant to send an audio message to the person you want to speak to. After saying your contact’s name, Google Assistant will start recording automatically.
However, make sure you have collected your thoughts in advance – the assistant will stop recording if you notice any long pauses.
The Google Assistant will then ask if you are ready to send the recording. Say “Yes” if you’re ready or say “No” to cancel. Like Apple users, you have the option to click the Play button to listen or Cancel to restart.
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You can now send audio messages whenever and wherever you want. Let your fingers rest and start speaking your texts out loud. At the very least, your thumbs will thank you!
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