The built-in ways to record on your iPhone
Your iPhone has two separate recording tools built in: the Camera app records video, and the Voice Memos app records audio. Both are on your home screen or in your app library. You do not need to download anything or pay for a subscription — these tools come with every iPhone.
Which one you use depends on what you are recording. If you want video with sound, use the Camera app. If you only need audio — a voice note, a phone call, a lecture, a meeting — use Voice Memos. Both save to your phone's storage, and both let you trim or delete recordings before you keep them.
Key Takeaways
- The Camera app records video by swiping to the video mode and pressing the red record button; stop recording by pressing the button again.
- Voice Memos records audio only and is faster to open if you do not need video — press the red circle to start, press it again to stop.
- Both apps let you trim recordings before saving, so you can cut out the beginning or end without re-recording.
- Recordings are stored on your phone; you can move them to cloud storage or email them, but they take up device storage until you delete them.
- If you are recording someone else, check your state or country's laws — some places require everyone in a conversation to consent to being recorded.
Recording video with the Camera app
Open the Camera app from your home screen or Control Center. You will see a row of mode buttons at the bottom: Photo, Video, Portrait, and others depending on your iPhone model. Tap the word "Video" to switch to video mode.
Point your iPhone at what you want to record. You will see a red circle button in the center bottom of the screen. Press it once to start recording — the circle will fill with red and a timer will appear at the top showing how long you have been recording. Press the red circle again to stop. Your video saves automatically to your Photos app.
If you want to trim the video before saving it, open Photos, find the recording, tap Edit, then tap the trim icon (two vertical lines with arrows). Drag the handles at either end to cut out the beginning or end, then tap Save. If you do not trim it, the full recording stays in your Photos app and takes up storage space.
Recording audio with Voice Memos
Open Voice Memos from your home screen or app library. You will see a large red circle button in the center of the screen. Press it to start recording — the button will turn into a pause symbol, and a timer will show how long you have been recording. Press the button again to stop.
When you stop, the recording appears as a list item with the date, time, and length. You can rename it by tapping the three dots next to the recording and selecting Rename. If you want to trim it, tap the three dots again and select Edit Recording, then drag the handles at either end to cut out parts you do not want.
Voice Memos saves recordings to iCloud if you have iCloud enabled, or to your phone's storage if you do not. You can move a recording to another app by tapping the three dots and selecting Share, then choosing where to send it — email, Messages, Notes, or another app.
Recording phone calls and FaceTime
iPhone does not have a built-in button to record phone calls or FaceTime video calls. If you want to record a call, you have two options: use a third-party app from the App Store, or use your iPhone's screen recording feature (which records audio from the call along with everything on your screen).
To use screen recording, swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center. Look for a circle with a dot inside it — that is the screen recording button. Press and hold it, then tap the microphone icon to turn on audio recording. Tap Start Recording. Everything you see and hear will record until you open Control Center again and tap the red recording button to stop.
Before you record a call, know your location's laws. Some states and countries require everyone on the call to know they are being recorded. Others allow one person to record without telling the others. Check your local laws before recording.
Managing storage and moving recordings
Every recording takes up space on your iPhone. You can check how much storage you have left by opening Settings, tapping General, then tapping iPhone Storage. Videos use much more space than audio files — a one-minute video can use 50 to 100 megabytes, while a one-minute voice memo uses about 1 megabyte.
If you are running low on storage, delete recordings you no longer need. For videos, open Photos, find the video, tap Select, tap the trash icon, then tap Delete. For voice memos, open Voice Memos, swipe left on the recording, and tap Delete. Both are permanent once you confirm.
To keep a recording without using phone storage, move it to cloud storage or email it. In Voice Memos, tap the three dots, tap Share, then choose your cloud storage app (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive) or email. For videos, open Photos, tap the video, tap Share, and choose where to send it. Once it is safely stored elsewhere, you can delete it from your phone.
Troubleshooting common recording problems
If your video or audio sounds muffled or quiet, the microphone may be blocked. On most iPhones, the microphone is on the bottom edge. Make sure your hand is not covering it while you record. If you are recording video, also check that the camera lens is clean — wipe it gently with a soft cloth.
If the Camera app or Voice Memos will not open, restart your iPhone. Press and hold the power button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears. Drag it to turn off your phone, wait 10 seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. Try opening the app again.
If you cannot find a recording after you made it, check the right place. Videos go to the Photos app in the Videos folder. Voice memos stay in the Voice Memos app unless you moved them. If you moved a recording to another app, check that app — for example, if you shared it to Notes, look in Notes.
Recording with external microphones and apps
If you need better audio quality than your iPhone's built-in microphone provides, you can plug in an external microphone. Most external microphones connect through the headphone jack (on older iPhones) or through the Lightning port or USB-C port (on newer models). Once plugged in, Voice Memos and the Camera app will use the external microphone instead of the built-in one.
The App Store has many third-party recording apps with features the built-in apps do not have — for example, some let you record multiple audio tracks at once, edit while recording, or add effects. Search the App Store for "voice recorder" or "video recorder" to see what is available. Most are free, though some charge a one-time fee or subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I record on my iPhone?
You can record until your phone runs out of storage space. A one-minute video uses 50 to 100 megabytes depending on quality and lighting. Voice memos use much less — roughly 1 megabyte per minute. Check your available storage in Settings under General, iPhone Storage.
Can I record video and audio at the same time?
Yes. When you record video with the Camera app, audio records automatically. You do not need to do anything extra — just press record and both will capture together.
Where do my recordings go after I make them?
Videos go to your Photos app in the Videos folder. Voice memos stay in the Voice Memos app. Both are stored on your phone unless you move them to cloud storage or another app.
Can I edit a recording after I save it?
Yes, but only to trim the beginning or end. Open the recording, tap Edit, and drag the handles to cut out parts. You cannot cut out the middle or add effects with the built-in tools — for that, you would need a third-party app.
Is it legal to record someone without telling them?
It depends on where you live. Some states and countries require everyone in a conversation to know they are being recorded. Others allow one person to record without consent. Check your local laws before recording anyone else.