Your iPhone deletes audio messages 2 minutes after you send or play them. Nothing is broken: it's an Apple setting called Expire, and it's on for everyone to start with.
Keep them for good
- 1Open Settings.
- 2Tap Apps, then Messages. On older iPhones, Messages is right there in Settings.
- 3Scroll down to Audio Messages and tap Expire.
- 4Choose Never. That's it.
Audio Messages
- After 2 Minutes
- Never
Expire voice messages you send and receive.
Just want to keep one?
Under a voice message you'll see Keep. Tap it within 2 minutes and that one stays, whatever the setting.
If you're helping Mom or Dad
Do it together, on their phone. It takes about 30 seconds, and it's worth it: the voice messages they get from grandkids will stay too.
Good to know
Why did my voice message disappear?
iPhones delete audio messages 2 minutes after they are sent or played. It is an Apple setting called Expire, and it is turned on for everyone to start with.
How do I stop voice messages from disappearing?
Open Settings, tap Apps, then Messages. Under Audio Messages, tap Expire and choose Never. On older iPhones, Messages is right in Settings.
Can I get back a voice message that already disappeared?
Not from the phone. Once it has expired, it is gone from that iPhone. If it was a Bunbly story, your family still has it in Bunbly.