Voice messages have become a common but on-demand feature in nearly every messaging app. iMessage allows Apple users to send text messages, images, videos, and more to other iOS devices.
Sending an instantaneous audio note is a fun way to quickly get across any long messages, especially when you want to narrate a story to a friend and you are lazy to type.
However, you might have heard voice messages don’t hang around forever on iPhones and sometimes disappear before being read. So, is it true and why does this happen? Let’s solve this mystery.
Do Voice Messages Disappear Before Being Read on iPhone?
No, generally voice messages do not disappear before being listened to. However, there are a few circumstances where they may disappear, such as:
- If the sender deletes the audio message from the conversation before you have listened to it.
- If you have accidentally deleted the file from the device.
- In case the storage space on your iPhone is low.
- Other technical glitches or bugs within the app
Does a Voice Memo Disappear When Someone Listen to It on iPhone?
Sadly, yes, by default, once you open the voice memo and listen to it, iPhone deletes it from the iMessage app after 2 minutes.
Also Read: What Does Kept an Audio Message from You Mean on iMessage?
Do Audio Messages on iPhone Expire or Auto-delete?
Yes, to free up space on your iPhone, audio messages are automatically erased. But you have the option to keep them by making changes to the default settings.
Do Audio Messages on iPhone Expire If Not Opened?
No, if you have not opened up the audio messages on iMessage, your iPhone will not delete them from the app.
When Do Audio Messages Expire on iPhone?
Audio messages usually expire two minutes after you have opened and listened to them.
Also Read: How to Turn off iMessage for One Person
Why Did My Voice Message Disappear on iPhone?
Voice messages are usually deleted to free iCloud or phone storage on iPhone.
How to Prevent Voice Messages on iPhone From Disappearing
Here’s how you can present the voice messages you receive from being disappeared:
Method 1: Change Deletion Time
You can adjust the default deletion time for voice notes on the Messages app. Here’s how:
1. Open Settings, tap on Messages, and then on Expire under AUDIO MESSAGES.
2. Select Never.
Also Read: How to See the First Message on iMessage Without Scrolling
Method 2: Save Voice Memos
You have the option to keep your audio messages if you do not want them to be deleted. Follow the steps given below to see how:
Note: Since not all versions of iOS offer the same features, some features mentioned in the article might not work. The following methods were tried on iOS 17.3.
1. Open iMessage and tap on the message thread containing the audio message.
2. Long press on the message and tap on Save to Voice Memos.
How to Recover Audio Messages On iPhone
If you have deleted any audio message or it has expired before you could have kept it, you can recover it through various means. Check out our guide on How to Recover Permanently Deleted Text Messages to do the same.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How do I know if my voice message was heard?
Ans. There will be a seen message under your voice memo which indicates that the listener has viewed your message. However, it does not necessarily mean they have opened and listened to your voice message.
Q2. Can you recover a disappeared audio message on an iPhone?
Ans. Yes, you can recover expired or deleted audio messages via iCloud, iTunes, or a third-party app.
Q3. How to know if you accidentally sent an audio message on your iPhone?
Ans. The only way to know if you have accidentally sent an audio message on your iPhone is to open the chat thread of the suspected person and scroll through the messages to check.
Now that you know whether voice messages disappear before being read on iMessage, you can be more cautious while sending one.
If you have any queries or suggestions, drop them in the comment section and keep visiting TechCult for more tech-related know-how.
