How to send voice messages
Android
iPhone
KaiOS
Web and Desktop
Mac
WhatsApp voice messaging allows you to instantly communicate with contacts and groups. You can use it to deliver important and time-sensitive information. All voice messages are downloaded automatically.
You can also record, preview, and re-record status updates before sharing them with selected contacts. Your recipients can listen to your status and view an active visualization of it while the audio plays.
Send a voice message
- Open the chat you’d like to send a voice message to.
- Press and hold next to the text field, then start speaking. You can also swipe up for hands-free recording. Note: if you seeinstead, tap the icon to switch to.
- When you’ve finished, remove your finger fromto automatically send your message. Or, if you’re recording hands-free, tapto pause recording and preview a draft of your message before sending. Tapto continue recording.
Note:
- While recording you can slide to cancel and delete your voice message.
- If the beginning of your message isn't recorded, you might need to wait a second before speaking.



On voice messages you’ve sent
- indicates that the message hasn't been played by all recipients, but might have been played by some.
- indicates that all recipients have played the message.
Record and send a voice status
You can record and send a voice status up to 30-seconds long.
- Tap the Updates tab.
- Tap > the pencil icon.
- Press and hold , then start speaking.
- When you're finished, remove your finger from .
- Select the contact or group chat you want to share your update.
- Tapto send your voice status.
Note: If the beginning of your message isn't recorded, you may need to wait a second before speaking.
Related resources:
- How to play voice messages
- How to preview voice messages
- How to send video messages