Guide · Voice Memos

How to edit a voice memo on your iPhone

Open Voice Memos, tap the recording, tap the three dots, then tap Edit Recording. Drag the yellow handles to select a part, then tap Trim to keep it or Delete to cut it out. Tap Replace to record over a section, then Save. Menus differ slightly between iOS versions.

Updated 20 Oct 2026

Trim the start and end

1. Tap the recording, then the three dots, then Edit Recording.
2. Tap the trim icon, then drag the yellow handles to enclose the part you want to keep.
3. Tap Trim, then Save.

Cut a section out of the middle

1. In Edit Recording, tap the trim icon.
2. Drag the handles around the part you want to remove.
3. Tap Delete, then Save.

Record over a section

In Edit Recording, move the playhead to where you want to start, tap Replace, and record. Tap Done, then Save. Check the result before you save; use the undo arrow if you see one.

Rename a memo

Tap the recording and tap its name, or use the three dots menu and choose Rename, then type a new one. Names like "Chorus, sad, Am" are easier to find than New Recording 87.

Keep an untouched copy

Edits replace the recording. If the original matters, share it to Files first (Share, then Save to Files), or duplicate it (three dots, then Duplicate), then edit the copy.

Common questions

Can I edit a voice memo after recording it?

Yes. Open it, tap the three dots, and choose Edit Recording.

How do I cut the silence at the start of a voice memo?

Use Edit Recording, trim, and drag the left handle past the silence, then tap Trim and Save.

Does editing change the original?

Yes, the edited recording replaces it. Save a copy first if you want to keep the original.

Can I undo an edit?

Before you tap Save, use the undo arrow if you see one. After you save, the change is hard to undo, so keep a copy first.

Is there a better editor for voice memos?

For simple trims, Voice Memos is enough. For more, use a free audio editor on a computer.