How to Send Video or Audio Messages in FaceTime (iOS 17)

With iOS 17, FaceTime lets you leave a video or audio message when someone doesn’t pick up. This guide walks you through recording and sending those messages, plus what to do if they don’t go through.

What You’ll Need

• An iPhone, iPad, or Mac with iOS 17, iPadOS 17, or macOS Sonoma or later.
• FaceTime turned on (it’s on by default).
• A stable internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular).
• For video messages, a working camera and microphone.

Step-by-Step

1. Open FaceTime and tap the New FaceTime button (the plus icon) or select a recent contact.
2. Enter the person’s phone number or Apple ID in the “To” field. If you’re starting from a recent call, just tap their name.
3. Tap the video or audio button to start the call. The green video button makes a video call; the green audio button (or the phone icon on some devices) makes an audio call.
4. Let it ring. If the person doesn’t answer within about 30 seconds, you’ll see a message appear at the bottom of the screen: “Leave a video message” or “Leave an audio message.”
5. Tap that message button. The screen will switch to recording mode. For a video message, you’ll see yourself on screen. For audio, you’ll see a waveform indicator.
6. Record your message. Tap the red record button to start. Speak clearly. For video, look at the camera, not the screen. You can record for up to several minutes (the timer counts up).
7. Stop recording by tapping the red square button.
8. Review and send. After you stop, you’ll see a preview. Tap the play button to check it. If you’re happy, tap the send button (the blue up arrow). If not, tap cancel and record again.
9. Wait for confirmation. The message will show as “Sent” in the conversation. The recipient gets a notification and can watch or listen to it later.

Common Mistakes

• Hitting the red button too early. The first tap starts recording; the second tap stops it. If you tap twice quickly, you’ll send a blank message.
• Recording before the prompt appears. The “Leave a message” button only shows after the call has rung for a while. If you tap the screen before that, you might just cancel the call.
• Assuming audio messages work on video calls. On a video call, you can only leave a video message. To leave an audio message, start an audio call instead.
• Not checking the preview. It’s easy to send a message with your finger over the lens or the microphone muted. Always watch the preview first.
• Thinking the message sends automatically. You must tap the send arrow. If you just stop recording and swipe away, the message is discarded.

Tips

• Use the mute button during recording. If you need to cough or adjust, tap the microphone icon to mute, then unmute when you’re ready. The recording continues.
• Keep it short. FaceTime doesn’t limit you, but shorter messages are more likely to be watched or listened to all the way through.
• Record in good lighting. For video messages, face a light source (not behind you) so the recipient can see you clearly.
• Hold the phone steady. If you’re recording a video message, set the phone down or hold it with both hands to avoid shaky footage.
• Use the delete option. If you change your mind after sending, you can delete the message from the conversation (on your end) by swiping left on it and tapping Delete.

Troubleshooting

• The “Leave a message” button doesn’t appear. This can happen if the person has turned off FaceTime messages, or if you’re calling someone who doesn’t have an Apple device. Make sure you’re calling an Apple ID or a phone number that’s linked to FaceTime. Also, check that you have iOS 17 or later.
• The message won’t send. Check your internet connection. If you’re on cellular, make sure FaceTime is allowed to use cellular data in Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data). Try toggling Airplane mode off and on.
• My video message has no sound. Check that the microphone isn’t muted (the icon with a slash through it). Also, make sure you didn’t cover the mic with your finger while recording.
• The recipient says they didn’t get my message. They might have notifications turned off for FaceTime. Ask them to check Settings > Notifications > FaceTime. Also, confirm they’re using an Apple device with a recent OS.
• I can’t record an audio message on a video call. That’s by design. Start a new audio call instead.
• My message is too long. FaceTime doesn’t have a strict limit, but if you’re recording for a very long time, the app might time out. Keep it under a few minutes to be safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send a FaceTime message to someone who doesn’t have an iPhone? No. FaceTime messages only work between Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch). The recipient must have FaceTime enabled and be signed in with an Apple ID.

How long can a FaceTime message be? There’s no official limit, but in practice, messages longer than a few minutes may be cut off or fail to send. It’s best to keep them under 3 minutes.

Can I save a FaceTime message I receive? Yes. In the conversation, tap and hold the message, then choose “Save to Photos” (for video) or “Save to Voice Memos” (for audio).

Can I re-record a message before sending? Yes. After you stop recording, you’ll see a preview. Tap “Cancel” and then record again. The old recording is discarded.

Why can’t I see the “Leave a message” button? It only appears after the call rings for about 30 seconds without an answer. If the person declines the call immediately, you might not see it. Also, if you’re calling a landline or non-Apple device, it won’t appear.

Do FaceTime messages expire? No, they stay in the conversation until you delete them. However, if the recipient hasn’t opened the app in a long time, they might still see it when they do.

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