Imagine you receive an audio message on your phone. Listening to it, you can hear your grandmom’s voice that you have not heard in a long time💌. More than just words, you can feel the warmth of her love reaching you across the distance.

Now, that message has been precious to you, and you want to save that audio message for the future, but don’t know how. You’re not alone, who is dealing with this🤔.

A lot of phone📱 users don’t know how to save audio messages or where saved audio messages go.

In this article📄, we will tell you where do saved audio messages go and how you can listen to them.

So, let’s get into it. 🚀

🔑Key Highlights
  • Saved audio messages are voice recordings that you have received and decided to save.
  • You can store these voice messages once and listen, replay, and reply to them whenever you need to.
  • When you enable it to save audio messages, they can accumulate and take up a lot of your phone’s storage space. So, it is crucial to manage the audio that is saved effectively.
  • Saved audio messages can be received from messaging apps like WhatsApp, Viber, iMessage, or Voicemail systems on your device.
  • Apps like AnyRecover or iMyFone D-Back can help you recover your deleted voice message. They work for both Android and iPhone.

What are Saved Audio Messages?

Audio Messages being Saved from Text Conversation.

Saved audio messages are voice recordings that you have received and decided to save. They’re different from text messages because these audio messages can hold special things and emotions, such as your tone, giggles, or excitement.

Saved audio messages can be received from messaging apps like WhatsApp, Viber, iMessage, or the Voicemail system on your device. You can receive and listen to them anytime.

These messages are not like regular messages, which disappear after you listen to them once. You can store them once and listen, replay, and reply to them whenever you need to.

How to Save Audio Messages?

You can save audio messages that you receive in some easy, simple steps. Here’s how you can save Audio messages on your Android and iPhone.

On Android

Android devices offer flexibility. Most messaging apps let you save voice messages with a few taps. Here’s a general guide:

Step 1: Open the Messaging App:

  • Launch the app with the voice message. It could be WhatsApp, Telegram, or your default Messages app.

Step 2: Find the Voice Message:

  • Scroll to the chat with the audio file. Voice messages often appear as a waveform or play button.

Step 3: Long-Press the Message:

  • Tap and hold the voice note. A menu pops up with an option to save.

Step 4: Select Save or Download:

  • Look for “Save,” “Download,” or “Save Attachment.” The wording depends on the app and device you are using.

Step 5: Confirm the Location:

  • Some apps ask where to store the file. Choose a folder like “Downloads” or “Audio.”

For example, in WhatsApp, long-pressing a voice message gives a “Download” option.

The file lands in your phone’s internal storage. Apps like Telegram might save voice messages to a specific app folder. Android’s open nature means you can move these files later.

📖Read more: How to Forward a Voicemail From Every Kind of Device?

On iPhone

iPhones are a bit more structured. Apple’s ecosystem ties audio messages to apps like iMessage or Voice Memos. Here’s how to save voice messages on your iPhone:

Step 1: Open the Messages App:

  • Go to iMessage or another messaging app with the voice message.

Step 2: Locate the Audio Message:

  • Find the voice note in the chat. It’s usually a waveform with a play button.

Step 3: Tap “Keep” (iMessage):

  • In iMessage, voice messages expire after two minutes unless you tap “Keep” below the message. This saves it in the chat thread.

Step 4: Save to Voice Memos (Optional):

  • Long-press the message, then select “Save to Voice Memos.” This moves the audio to the Voice Memos app.

Step 5: Copy to Files or Notes:

  • For more control, long-press and choose “Copy.” Then, paste the audio into the Files or Notes app for safekeeping.

Where does the Saved Audio message go?

Once you save the Audio message, where do they go? How can you listen to them?

When you save audio, it depends on the device you are using and where you are extracting voice messages.

Where do saved audio messages go on Android?

On Android, saved audio messages are typically stored in your phone’s internal storage. If you insert an SD card, you can also add to it. The exact location depends on the messaging app.

Here are some common spots:

  • WhatsApp: Voice messages saved from WhatsApp go to the “WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Audio” folder. If your phone has an SD card, they might save there instead.
  • Telegram: Telegram stores saved voice messages in the “Telegram/Telegram Audio” folder.
  • Default Messages App: For Google Messages or similar apps, saved audio files often land in the “Downloads” or “Audio” folder. Some apps create a dedicated “Messages” folder.
  • File Manager Access: Use your phone’s File Manager app to browse. Look under “Internal Storage” or “SD Card” for folders labeled “Audio,” “Downloads,” or the app’s name.

Where do saved audio messages go on the iPhone?

iPhones handle saved audio messages differently. Apple prioritizes its apps, so voice messages don’t always appear as standalone files. Here’s where they go:

  • iMessage (iOS 12 and Later): When you tap “Keep” on an audio message in iMessage, it stays in the Messages app. Scroll through the chat thread to find it. If your Messages sync with iCloud, you can access these saved messages on other Apple devices, like a Mac or iPad.
  • Voice Memos App (Pre-iOS 12 or Manual Save): On older iPhones (before iOS 12), or if you choose “Save to Voice Memos,” the audio lands in the Voice Memos app. Open the app, and your saved voice message appears at the top of the list, often labeled “Audio Message from Contact.”
  • Files App: If you copy an audio message and paste it into the Files app, it’s stored as a .caf file (Core Audio Format). Navigate to “On My iPhone” or “iCloud Drive” to find it.
Feature Android iPhone
Default Save Location File Manager > Messages folder (varies by app) Within the Messages app or Voice Memos
Manual Save Possible? ✅ Yes (long press + download) ✅ Yes (tap “Keep”)
Auto-delete? Depends on app Yes, after 2 mins, unless saved
File Format .amr, .opus, .m4a .caf, .m4a

Pro tip: To avoid losing messages, change your iMessage settings so audio messages don’t expire. Go to Settings > Messages > Audio Messages > Expire, and set it to “Never.”

How to listen to Saved Audio Messages?

Once you save the Audio Message, listening to that is easy and simple. However, the process is different for Android and iPhone.

Here’s how you can listen to the audio that you have saved.

On Android

  • Use the Messaging App: Open an app, like WhatsApp or Telegram, where the voice message is saved. Find the chat, spot the voice message, and tap the play button. It plays right away!
  • Check File Manager: Open your phone’s File Manager app. Look for folders called “WhatsApp Audio,” “Downloads,” or “Audio.” Find the saved audio file and tap it to play with your phone’s music player.
  • Use Music Apps: Apps like VLC or Google Play Music can find audio files. Open one, and your saved voice messages might be on the list. Tap to listen.
  • Connect to a Computer: Plug your Android into a computer with a USB cable. Look through your phone’s folders, find the audio file (maybe in “Downloads”), and play it with any music program.

On iPhone

iPhones keep audio messages in certain apps. Here’s how to play saved voice messages on your iPhone:

  • Use the Messages App: Open the Messages app if the audio is saved in iMessage. Scroll to the voice message in the chat. Tap the play button to hear it.
  • Open Voice Memos App: Go to the Voice Memos app. Find the file, often named with the sender’s name. Tap it to play. You can even cut or fix the sound if you want.
  • Check Files App: If you moved the audio to the Files app, open it. Find the folder with the audio (it’s usually a .caf file). Tap to play it with QuickTime or another app.
  • Look in the Notes app: If you saved the audio there, open the Notes app. Find the note with the audio file. Tap it to listen, and you can share it, too.
You may also like: How to Schedule a Text on iPhone and Android: Can It Be Done?

Tips for Managing Saved Audio Messages

When you enable saving audio messages, they can pile up and take up a lot of your phone’s storage space. So, it is crucial to manage the audio that is saved effectively.

Here are some tips for managing saved audio messages:

Tips for Managing Saved Audio Messages.

Rename Files: Give your audio files clear names. On Android, open File Manager and rename files, like “Mom’s Birthday Message.” On iPhone, open Voice Memos and change names to avoid mix-ups.

Back Up Often: Save your files so you don’t lose them. On Android, copy files to Google Drive or a computer. On iPhone, use iCloud to back up Messages or Voice Memos. This keeps them safe if your phone breaks.

Delete Old Messages: Audio files take up space. On Android, check the File Manager and remove unnecessary voice messages. On iPhone, clear out old ones from Messages or Voice Memos to free up space.

Make Folders: Stay organized with folders. On Android, use File Manager to create folders like “Family Audio” or “Work Notes.” On iPhone, sort files in the Files app or Notes to find them easily.

Stop Messages from Expiring: On iPhone, make audio messages last forever. Go to Settings > Messages > Audio Messages and choose “Never” for Expire. This way, you won’t need to tap “Keep” every time.

Change File Types: If sharing iPhone audio outside Apple, turn .caf files into MP3 with apps like Audacity or online tools. Android files usually don’t need this.

Use Recovery Apps: Lost a voice message? Apps like AnyRecover or iMyFone D-Back can help you retrieve it. They work for both Android and iPhone.

Share Wisely: Don’t clog chats with big files. Upload important audio to cloud storage, like Google Drive or iCloud, and send links instead. It saves space and keeps messages safe.

Conclusion

Audio messages don’t just hold the message of the sender; they can express feelings and emotions. By listening to the real voice, you won’t get confused like in text, like whether the person is serious or joking. You can analyze the mood of the sender by listening to the audio message.

To listen to a Saved audio message, first, you need to save it, know where it goes after saving, and then you can listen to it. By reading the above article, you might have no idea where saved audio messages go and how to listen to them.

Saved audio messages are a digital sound library on your phone. You can manage, save, and replay the saved audio anytime you want.

FAQs

Do audio messages disappear automatically?

Yes, on iPhone, audio messages sent through iMessage are set to expire two minutes after being played unless you tap “Keep.” On Android, it depends on the app; some messaging apps don’t automatically delete them.

How can I prevent audio messages from expiring on my iPhone?

Go to Settings > Messages > Audio Messages > Expire and change it from “After 2 Minutes” to “Never.” This way, audio messages will stay in the chat until you delete them manually.

Where do saved WhatsApp voice messages go on Android?

Saved WhatsApp voice messages are stored in Internal Storage > WhatsApp > Media > WhatsApp Audio. You can find them using the File Manager app.

Can I transfer saved audio messages to another device?

Yes. You can move audio files from Android using a USB cable or upload them to Google Drive. On iPhone, share them via AirDrop, iCloud, or email.

How do I save an audio message from iMessage to Voice Memos?

Long-press the audio message, tap “More” > Share, then choose Voice Memos. It will be stored there permanently and can be renamed or edited.

What file format are audio messages saved in?

On iPhone, audio messages are often saved in “.CAF” (Core Audio Format). On Android, they are usually saved as .MP3, .OGG, or .M4A, depending on the app.

Can I recover a deleted audio message?

Yes, recovery tools like iMyFone D-Back for iPhone or Dr.Fone and DiskDigger for Android can help recover deleted audio messages, especially if they were recently deleted.

How do I rename a saved audio message?

On Android, open File Manager, locate the audio, and use the rename option. On iPhone, open the Voice Memos app, tap the three dots next to the recording, and select Rename.

Prasanta Raut

Prasanta, founder and CEO of Dialaxy, is redefining SaaS with creativity and dedication. Focused on simplifying sales and support, he drives innovation to deliver exceptional value and shape a new era of business excellence.

Prasanta, founder and CEO of Dialaxy, is redefining SaaS with creativity and dedication. Focused on simplifying sales and support, he drives innovation to deliver exceptional value and shape a new era of business excellence.