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How to Record Audio on iPhone in the Highest Quality

Learn how to record audio on iPhone in a few easy steps. We cover how to record, export & delete iPhone recordings plus the best way to record in HD.
Stephen Robles
Video & Podcast Creator
Last Updated:
December 26, 2023
9
min
Reviewed by
Ortal Hadad

In today’s world, modern technologies make it possible to capture high-quality content anytime, anywhere, even using a mobile device. 

Thanks to advanced app systems and in-built tools, you can record clear, crisp audio directly on your iPhone. This means that it is now easier than ever to create great content for online distribution. 

Want to discover new tools and skills for iPhone audio recording? Here’s your Riverside guide to getting started!

Can I use my iPhone to record audio?

In recent years, mobile technology has evolved rapidly, leading to the development of new tools and software systems that make it easy for users to record audio on an iPhone device. 

With user-friendly applications, you can capture high-quality iPhone audio recordings suitable for a variety of purposes, from podcast episodes to social media sharing. Anything is possible!

How to record on iPhone with voice memos

Voice memos are a great way to record audio content on an iPhone. Follow these simple steps. 

Step 1: Open the voice memos app on your iPhone device.

Step 2: On the home screen, press the red button to start recording. 

how to record audio on iPhone with the Voice Memo app

Step 3: Record audio content as needed. Once complete, press the pause button or the stop button to pause or end the recording. 

recording audio on an iPhone through the Voice Memo App

Step 4: Rename your recording by typing in the title text box. 

Step 5: Click the slider icon on the bottom-left of your recording tile to open the options menu

Step 6: Here, use the slider to change the playback speed, and use other settings to ‘Enhance Recording’ or ‘Skip Silence’

Playback speed on an audio recording on iPhone

Step 7: To access audio editing tools, select the ellipsis icon at the top-right of the recording tile. 

Options to edit audio recording on iPhone

Step 8: Here, select ‘Edit Recording’, and select the crop tool on the right side of the screen to trim recording length. 

How to trim audio on an iPhone

How to export and share iPhone recordings with voice memos

Once you’ve finalized your voice memo recording, you’ll need to save and share your track. Follow these steps!

Step 1: After completing your recording, finalize all details within the voice memos application.

Step 2: Next, select the ellipsis icon at the top-right of the recording tile. 

Step 3: From the dropdown menu, choose ‘Share’

Exporting an audio recording on iPhone

Step 4: Use the next menu to choose a sharing pathway, such as exporting your recording to email or a social media platform. 

How to delete iPhone voice memo recordings

In some cases, you may need to record content more than once in order to obtain the results you need. Follow these steps to delete an unwanted recording.

Step 1: Navigate to the ‘All Recordings’ menu, and tap on the tile for the recording you want to remove. 

how to delete an audio recording on iPhone

Step 2: At the bottom-right of the recording tile, select the trash icon. 

Step 3: For 30 days, your deleted recording will be stored in the Recently Deleted file in your voice memos app. 

Step 4: To recover a recording from Recently Deleted data, navigate to this folder, select your desired track, and click recover at the bottom-left of the recording tile. 

Step 5: To permanently remove a recording from Recently Deleted data, navigate to this folder, select your desired track, and click ‘delete’ at the bottom-right of the recording tile.

The best way to record on iPhone: Riverside

While voice memos offer an easy way to capture audio content on an iPhone device, this might not always be the best pathway for the highest-quality results. 

The Riverside’s mobile app offers exclusive recording tools available for iPhone users, providing a quick and easy way to optimize your audio content and achieve the best sound quality.

Why should you record high-quality audio on your iPhone with Riverside?

Designed with a user-friendly interface, Riverside offers many benefits for iPhone recordings. 

The app is capable of capturing MP3 and WAV audio recordings at up to 48kHZ, allowing you to capture clear sound with ease. 

Using local recording tools, Riverside can accommodate remote recording for up to 8 participants, producing separate audio tracks for everyone on your call.

In addition to excellent-quality sound, Riverside supports video recording! This means that you can combine audio with visual materials for a comprehensive creative product. 

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How to record high-quality audio on your iPhone with Riverside

Getting started with Riverside audio recordings is easy! Follow these simple steps. 

Step 1: Open the Riverside app on your iPhone device, and log in to your account.

Step 2: Navigate to the Studios page, and select the + icon to create a new studio. 

Selecting a studio to record audio in high-quality on an iPhone

Step 3: Name your studio, and choose whether to ‘Record audio only’. Next, select ‘Create’ at the top-right corner of your screen. 

Step 4: Tap on your studio, and allow video and microphone permissions.

Step 5: Input your name, and enter the lobby to test your equipment before selecting join at the top-right of your screen. 

Testing your camera and microphone before recording on an iPhone through Riverside

Step 6: Here, use the invite menu to add people to your call. 

Inviting participants to a Riverside recording on iPhone

Step 7: If you’re recording alone or once other call participants have joined, press the red button to start recording. 

Step 8: When your recording is complete, press the same button to stop the recording. 

Step 9: Wait for your recording to upload to your host dashboard. Press the hangup icon to end the call and leave the studio. 

Note that no one should leave the studio till all files have uploaded.

iPhone recording uploading from Riverside

Step 10: Finally, navigate to your Riverside dashboard on a desktop device to edit and export your audio recording.  

10 tips for recording better-quality audio on your iPhone

If you want to produce better-quality audio recordings on your iPhone device, there are plenty of things you can do. Keep these 10 top tips in mind next time your record. 

1. Remove blocks and barriers

The first step to better recordings begins with removing blocks and barriers that could compromise your sound quality. 

Most of the time, iPhones rely on the in-built microphones located at the bottom of your device. To achieve the best possible sound quality, ensure that these microphones are clear from blockages that could muffle or obscure sound.

2. Place your device correctly

An incorrectly placed iPhone can make a big difference to the sound quality of your audio recordings, so it’s important to think about placement. 

When recording on an iPhone device, set up a clear, uncluttered space. Hold or place your iPhone without covering microphones, and point the microphone toward the source of sound. Ensure that the sound source is close enough for details to be captured but not so close that every breath is audible.  

3. Speak loudly and clearly

Next, it’s important to speak as loudly and clearly as possible when recording on an iPhone to ensure that you have the best chance of picking up high-quality sound. 

While you don’t need to shout, try to pronounce words clearly and at a normal speaking volume. Instead of whispering or mumbling, make sure that your voice–or other sound sources–are as clear as possible at all times. 

4. Turn on mute or airplane mode

There’s nothing worse than a recording that is interrupted time and time again by iPhone notifications, so take steps to avoid this problem. 

If you need to continue receiving phone notifications while recording, turn on mute to eliminate notification sounds. For even better results, you can switch on airplane mode in your phone settings to cut out notifications altogether. 

5. Minimize background noise

Excessive background noise can lead to an unclear and low-quality audio track, so it’s important to minimize noise as much as possible. 

When recording, choose a quiet space with few interruptions, and avoid introducing noisy props or items to your environment. If you want to limit background noise further, use soft furnishings to surround your microphone and muffle external sounds. 

6. Adjust your sound settings

Your iPhone includes in-built sound settings that can affect the overall quality of your audio recordings. Don’t be afraid to use these to your advantage. 

Before you start to record a new track, navigate to your phone settings using the latest iOS update. Select voice memos in your settings, followed by audio quality and lossless to avoid file compression. 

7. Enhance recordings

If you’re using your iPhone’s voice memos to capture content, you can use in-built features to improve sound quality. 

Once you’ve finished recording a track, navigate to the recording’s settings menu, and choose the option to enhance recording. This can help to reduce echos and background noise to focus on the main sound source. 

8. Try an external microphone

In some cases, your microphone might stand in the way of the quality you want to produce for your iPhone recordings. A new external microphone can help! 

Many professional-quality microphones are compatible with iPhone devices. By using a higher-quality external microphone, you can pick up on sounds more effectively than is possible with your phone’s in-built features and tools. 

9. Edit your recording

A great recording doesn’t need to be perfect from the outset. You can rely on post-recording processes to edit and improve your tracks.

After you’ve finished recording an audio track, use your recording tool or an external audio editing program to adjust sound settings and output. Many software applications will allow you to change audio volume, along with other quality settings. 

10. Aim to improve your skills

It’s never too late to improve your audio skills! As you continue to record audio on your iPhone, you can develop your recording ability. 

Over time, look for new ways to enhance the quality of your audio recordings, and consider new equipment and tools that could help. Try new recording styles and techniques until you find a process that works well for you. 

FAQs on how to record on iPhone

Still unsure how to approach iPhone audio recording? Here are our answers to a few frequently asked questions. 

How do I use my iPhone as a recorder?

Using your iPhone as a recording device is easy! You can access simple recording tools using your phone’s in-built voice memos app. Alternatively, you can download a new application, such as Riverside, to help you capture high-quality sound content. 

Is there a recording button on iPhone?

To start a new iPhone recording, you’ll need to navigate to your chosen recording tool first. Whether you’re using the voice memos app, your phone’s camera, or another program, open the tool you plan to use, and start your recording. 

What is the best way to record audio on iPhone?

There are many options when it comes to recording audio on your iPhone. While voice memos can be a great starting point for new creators, we recommend choosing a studio-quality recording tool, like the Riverside app. 

How do I record a live conversation on my iPhone?

If you’re recording a phone call, you’ll need a call recording app to capture audio tracks from both sides of your live conversation. Apps like Riverside allow you to record conversations quickly and easily while producing excellent-quality results. 

How long can you record on iPhone?

How long you can record on your iPhone will depend on your recording pathway! Many iPhone audio recording options rely on your device’s storage capacity, which means that you may be able to record hours of content with ease. 

Want to start capturing studio-quality audio on any device right now? Try Riverside today, and revolutionize your recording process. 
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