Can’t send an audio clip voice message from your Apple Watch? Learn how

Audio clip voice messages have become a standard method of communication for iPhone users — but for Apple Watch users, sending an audio clip as a voice message isn’t as straightforward as it should be.

Apple Watch users know that they can send messages from their watch directly by either dictating or transcribing them. So what about voice messages?

Yes! You can record and send audio clip voice messages from your Apple Watch. However, how you can do so depends on what Apple Watch model and watchOS you use. 

Keep reading to learn how to send an audio clip voice message from your Apple Watch.

Suggested reading:

• Apple Watch voice memos not syncing to iPhone or iCloud? Try these tips to fix
• How to rename Voice Memos on your Apple Watch
• Talk to text (dictation) not working on Apple Watch?
• How to fix an Apple Watch Walkie Talkie timing out and not sending long messages

Why send an audio message using your Apple Watch?

Audio messages are like voicemail messages, but using the Messages app instead of actually calling someone. They’re a quick way to say hi or send an update so your contacts hear your voice instead of reading text.

We like sending audio clips instead of text messages when your emotions need to shine through–which is a lot easier to make out in a voice recording.

You can even sing a song or record sounds in your environment and send those audio clips through the Messages app. Pretty nifty!

Before you begin, make sure that dictation works on your Apple Watch using your microphone. A good test is to ask Siri something!

Sending an audio clip in Messages using watchOS 8 and later

For users with the latest Apple Watch and watchOS versions, sending an audio message is super easy once you know how to do so!

Open the Messages app on your Apple Watch and either create a new message or reply to a message.

When creating a new message, follow these steps:

1. Select who you want to send a message to, then tap the Create Message box. Click on the App Icon.
2. Select the Audio Message icon (it looks like a mini waveform.)
3. Once you click the Audio Message button, speak your audio message into the watch and press Done. 
4. Then press Send. It’s that simple!

When sending a reply, follow these steps:

1. Tap on the App Icon, then select the Audio Message icon. 
2. Once you click the Audio Message button, speak your audio message into the watch and press Send. 

Create and send an audio clip in Messages using watchOS 7 and earlier

Now, if you want to send an audio message from an older Apple Watch model, there are some extra steps you need to follow and settings you need to change.

Your watch’s default Message app setting for a dictated message is to send it as text, not as audio. So if you want to send your dictated messages as audio clips OR want the option to send them as audio clips or typed messages, you need to change the default setting for when you dictate a message.

1. First, open the Watch app on your paired iPhone, and make sure you are in the My Watch tab.
2. Scroll down to Messages and tap Dictated Messages. Usually, you see the default Transcript there.
3. From there, you are going to have to choose between three options: Transcript, Audio, or Transcript or Audio. Selecting one of these options sets the default for each time you dictate a reply.
   1. To always send as a text, choose Transcript. Dictations are always sent as text messages. This is the default setting.
   2. If you tap Audio, anything you dictate is sent as an audio clip that others listen to. They will not get a text message to read. Dictations are always sent as audio messages.
   3. If you tap Transcript or Audio, you get to choose the format of your dictated message each time. We recommend selecting this option!
4. Once you make your decision, try it out.
   1. Press the microphone button and dictate a message from your Apple Watch’s Messages app. 
   2. Tap Done.
   3. After you dictate a message, tap Send as audio or Send as text.
      1. Send as audio shows the voice waveform icon to send your voice message as an audio clip.
      2. Send as text shows the typed words of what you said.

Can’t send audio messages because the microphone is grayed out or unavailable? 

If you can’t record voice messages in the Messages app, check that your watch’s microphone works. A quick way to check this is to ask Siri something. 

If the microphone isn’t working, go to the Watch app > General and check that you turned on Enable Dictation.

If that’s on, try cleaning your watch with a microfiber cloth paying particular attention to the tiny microphone hole under the Digital Crown and above the Side button.

Make sure nothing is stuck in there or blocking it–but don’t stick anything in it. You might destroy it. Cases and screen protectors can often block the mic, so remove these and test again.

Turning the watch’s water lock on and off is also a good idea since it clears any water or liquid that gets inside the mic chamber through vibration.

1. 1. Open Control Center on your watch and tap Water Lock.
   2. Turn the Digital Crown to unlock the screen and clear water from its mic and speaker.

Finally, restarting your Apple Watch or forced restarting it often helps too. 

Final thoughts

Many Apple users love sending audio messages to their contacts because it’s quicker than texting a message or playing phone tag. 

Many Apple Watch users don’t even realize they have this feature since it is kind of hidden.

Plus, with the dictation button looking similar to the voice message app, it’s not surprising that some users get those two different features mixed up.

Now you know how to send a voice message from your Apple Watch!