How to Record Audio and a Podcast on iPhone (2026 Guide)

Your iPhone can record a good-sounding podcast. The built-in microphone is fine for voice notes and quick tests, and with a small external mic, a quiet room, and the right settings, you can record episodes that are ready to publish.

This guide covers how to record audio with Voice Memos, how to set up an iPhone for podcast recording, how to edit and export the file, and how to turn the finished recording into clips for social media.

Quick answer

1. Put your iPhone in Do Not Disturb or Airplane Mode so calls and notifications do not interrupt you.
2. In Settings, set Voice Memos audio quality to Lossless.
3. Record in a quiet room with soft surfaces, keeping the mic at a steady distance from your mouth.
4. Use an external mic (Lightning, USB-C, or wireless) for podcast episodes.
5. Record a short test, listen back on headphones, then record the full session.
6. Trim in Voice Memos or an editing app, export the file, and turn the best moments into clips.

How to record audio on iPhone with Voice Memos

Voice Memos comes with every iPhone and is the simplest way to record.

1. Open Voice Memos. If you cannot find it, swipe down on the Home Screen and search for it.
2. Tap the red Record button to start.
3. To pause, tap the recording panel to expand it and use the pause button. Tap Resume to continue in the same file.
4. Tap the stop button when you finish. The recording saves automatically.
5. Tap the recording’s name to rename it. Use a clear name, like the show name and episode number.

Settings to change before you record

• Audio quality. Open the Settings app, find Voice Memos, and set Audio Quality to Lossless. Lossless files are larger, but they keep full quality for editing. Compressed is fine for quick notes. Settings menus can move between iOS versions, so search for “Voice Memos” in Settings if you do not see it.
• Storage. Lossless recordings take more space. Check that you have enough free storage before a long session.

Clean up and trim in Voice Memos

Tap the three-dot menu on a recording and choose Edit Recording. From there you can trim the start and end, replace a section, and turn on Enhance Recording, which reduces background noise and room echo. Enhance works well on noisy recordings, but listen back on headphones afterward; on a clean recording it can make a voice sound slightly processed.

How to record a podcast on iPhone

Voice Memos is enough to start. For a podcast you plan to publish regularly, a few upgrades make a big difference.

Choose a microphone

The iPhone’s built-in mic picks up the whole room. An external mic placed close to your mouth captures more of your voice and less echo and noise. Common options:

• Lavalier (clip-on) mics. Small, cheap, and easy to use. They clip to your shirt and keep a steady distance from your mouth. Good for solo episodes and in-person interviews (one mic per person).
• Wireless mic kits. A small transmitter clips to each speaker and a receiver plugs into the iPhone. Good for interviews and video podcasts where you want freedom to move.
• USB-C or Lightning mics. Desk or handheld mics that plug into the phone directly or with an adapter. Check the connector and the maker’s iPhone compatibility: newer iPhones use USB-C, older ones use Lightning.

Whatever mic you choose, make sure your recording app is actually using it. Many apps show the active input; record a short test to confirm.

Prepare your recording space

Your room affects sound quality as much as your mic does.

• Pick a small, soft room. Carpets, curtains, a sofa, or a closet full of clothes absorb echo. Avoid kitchens, bathrooms, and empty rooms with hard walls.
• Cut background noise. Turn off fans, air conditioning, and noisy appliances. Close windows.
• Keep a steady distance. Stay about the same distance from the mic throughout. Moving closer and farther changes your volume and tone.
• Avoid handling noise. Put the iPhone on a stand or tripod instead of holding it, and do not tap the table near it.
• Wear headphones so you can hear problems while you record.

Set up your iPhone

• Turn on Do Not Disturb or Airplane Mode so calls and notifications do not interrupt the recording. If you record a remote guest over the internet, use Do Not Disturb instead of Airplane Mode.
• Charge the battery, free up storage, and close other apps that might use the microphone.

Pick a recording app

You have three broad options:

• Voice Memos for simple solo episodes and in-person recordings with a single mic.
• Dedicated audio recorder apps that give you more control, such as input level meters, manual gain, file format choices, and support for multi-channel mics.
• Remote podcast recording apps and services for interviews with guests in other locations. Many record each person on their own device and upload the files separately, which gives better quality than recording a phone or video call. See our guide to podcast recording software for options.

Do a test recording

Record 30 seconds of normal speech, then listen on headphones. Check for:

• Clipping: harsh distortion on loud words means the input is too hot. Move the mic slightly farther away or lower the gain.
• Low volume or hiss: move the mic closer.
• Echo or noise: improve the room before you record the full episode.

Record a video podcast on iPhone

If you want video too, use the Camera app or a video recording app with the rear camera, which is usually higher quality than the front camera. Mount the phone on a tripod at eye level, face a window or soft light, and use an external mic, since the camera’s built-in mic sits far from your mouth.

How to export and edit your iPhone recording

Export the file

• From Voice Memos: tap the recording, tap the share button, and choose where to send it: Files, AirDrop to a Mac, email, or a cloud storage app. Voice Memos files are saved as M4A, which most editors and podcast tools accept.
• On a Mac: if you are signed in with the same Apple Account and iCloud syncing is on for Voice Memos, recordings also appear in the Voice Memos app on your Mac.

Not sure which file type to export? Our guide to media formats explains the differences between M4A, WAV, MP3, and others.

Edit the episode

For simple trims, Voice Memos is enough. For a full episode, use an audio editor to remove mistakes, balance levels between speakers, and add an intro and outro. See our list of podcast editing software, or the best audio editing software for Mac if you edit on a Mac.

If you prefer to edit by text, Recast’s transcript-based editing lets you delete words from the transcript to cut them from the audio, and remove filler words and long pauses automatically.

Export the finished episode as MP3 (or the format your podcast host recommends) and keep a high-quality copy as your master.

Turn your iPhone recording into clips with Recast

Once the episode is recorded, it can do more than sit in a podcast feed. Upload the file to Recast and you can:

1. Get a transcript with the podcast transcript generator for show notes, blog posts, and accessibility.
2. Find the best moments and cut them into short clips with the podcast clip maker.
3. Turn audio-only clips into video with the podcast audiogram generator or the audio waveform generator, so they work on Reels, Shorts, and TikTok.
4. Add captions with the podcast subtitle generator for viewers who watch on mute.
5. Export every clip in 9:16, 1:1, and 16:9 for each platform.

For tips on what makes clips perform, read audiogram best practices for social media.

FAQ

Can you record a podcast on an iPhone?

Yes. Voice Memos is enough to start, and with an external mic and a quiet room, an iPhone can record publish-ready podcast audio.

What is the best app to record a podcast on iPhone?

For solo or in-person recordings, Voice Memos is a good free starting point. If you need level meters, manual gain, or multi-track recording, use a dedicated recorder app. For remote guests, use a remote podcast recording service.

Do I need an external microphone?

Not to start, but it is the single biggest upgrade. A clip-on, wireless, or plug-in mic close to your mouth sounds much clearer than the built-in mic.

What format does Voice Memos use?

Voice Memos saves recordings as M4A files. Most editing apps and podcast tools, including Recast, accept M4A.