To edit a voice memo on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, use the built-in Voice Memos app to trim, delete, or replace parts of a recording without needing third-party software. The same core tools, yellow trim handles and a Replace option, work across Apple devices, and the app lets you save the edited version over the original or as a new recording.
How to edit a voice memo on iPhone
Trim or delete part of a recording
- Open Voice Memos.
- In the recordings list, tap the recording.
- Tap More and then tap Edit Recording.
- Drag the yellow trim handles to enclose the section you want to keep or delete.
- Tap Play to check the selection.
- Tap Trim to keep only the selected section, or tap Delete to remove the selected section.
- Tap Apply, then tap Done.
- Tap Save Recording to overwrite the original, or tap Save as New Recording to keep the original and save the edited copy separately.
Replace part of a recording
- Open Voice Memos.
- Tap the recording.
- Tap More, then tap Edit Recording.
- Drag the waveform to move the playhead to where the new audio should start.
- Record the new audio.
- Tap Done.
- Tap Save Recording to replace the original, or tap Save as New Recording to keep both versions.
How to edit a voice memo on iPad
The iPad uses the same editing tools as the iPhone, but you start from the Edit button at the top right of the recording screen. The iPad page shown is for iPadOS 26. For trimming, tap Edit, tap the trim control, drag the yellow trim handles, then tap Trim or Delete, followed by Apply, Done, and either Save Recording or Save as New Recording. For replacing, tap Edit, move the playhead by dragging the waveform, record the replacement, then tap Done and choose Save Recording or Save as New Recording.
How to edit a voice memo on Mac
On a Mac, open the Voice Memos app and use a two-finger click or tap on the recording to open the menu. The Mac page shown references Voice Memos 2.1 and macOS 10.15 in one version of the guide. Choose Trim Recording to access the yellow trim handles for trimming or deleting, or choose Edit Recording to use the Replace option. After making your changes, select Save Recording or Save as New Recording.
What you can and cannot edit in Apple Voice Memos
Apple’s Voice Memos app supports trimming and replacing parts of a recording, but it does not include tools for adjusting volume, adding effects, or applying filters.
Editing voice memos on Android
Apple Voice Memos is not available on Android, and Apple provides no official documentation for editing voice memos on Android devices. If you need to record a conversation on Android phone, check the built-in recording app that came with your device; many include basic trimming options, though features vary by manufacturer and Android version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does editing a voice memo delete the original recording?
No. When you finish editing, you can choose Save Recording to overwrite the original or Save as New Recording to keep the original untouched and save the edited version as a separate file.
Can I edit a voice memo on an iPod touch?
Yes. Apple documents the same editing workflow, trimming, deleting, and replacing, for iPod touch using the Voice Memos app. Apple documents this editing workflow for iPod touch on a separate iPod touch guide.
Is there a limit to how long a voice memo can be before I can edit it?
Apple’s help pages do not list any maximum recording length or file-size limit for editing voice memos on iPhone, iPad, Mac, or iPod touch.
Can I undo an edit after I save it?
If you choose Save Recording, the original is overwritten and cannot be recovered from within the app. If you choose Save as New Recording, the original remains available in your recordings list.
Do I need an internet connection to edit a voice memo?
No. All trimming, deleting, and replacing happens on your device using the Voice Memos app, so no internet connection is required.
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