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infini02 Author

Level 1

57 points

Voice Memo won't play

I've arrived at the old problem of a corrupt voice memo, which was common enough a decade ago, and as it appears, Apple still hasn't resolved the issue.

I can see the recording in the list of files on my phone, which shows its duration (1hr 36mins), its format (m4a), and its size (22.5mb - looks like it is about half the size it should be even for a compressed m4a thing). The file, however, does not play. If I press play, it remains at 0:00, and pauses after a second. If I drag it, say to 22mins in, it remains there, and does not play.

Thinking that I could sort it on my Mac, I airdropped the file to my desktop, and also used a file-handling software to go to the iphone disc and copy the original file (named with a string of numbers) to my Mac. Neither of these files play (on iTunes, QuickTime player, VLC, or Vox).

The phone memory doesn't seem to contain any other sound files amongst the voice-memo recordings, fragmentary or otherwise, as none appear even when I ask my file-hangling software to show all files including system ones.

I am on iOS 12.1.4 (software up to date), on a relatively new iphone. I haven't had problems with previous recordings, even longer ones on this phone so far.

Does anyone have ideas about how to sort out this issue?

iPhone X, iOS 12

Posted on Feb 28, 2019 5:03 AM

Top-ranking reply

Travelista5

Level 1

9 points

Posted on Apr 29, 2019 5:03 PM

I have the same problem as the person above. I recorded a voice memo on my iPhone. It says that it is 55:04 long, but when I press play, it sits on zero for a few seconds and then goes back to the play button. When I drag it, it does not play, either. I have other voice memos, including a second one at this same meeting that I had to record after I stopped the initial recording. I also have other voice memos listed on my phone and all of them play. Help! I really need this recording.

Has anyone solved this problem. I notice that 45 others have had the same issue.

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29 replies

tate50

Level 1

4 points

Jul 14, 2019 8:50 AM in response to infini02

Hi, folks,

I had a similar issue: upgraded from a 7 to an XR. Had thousands of voice recordings going back to 2013... None would play. Brutal. Note this was the day of getting the phone. The exceptions were the ones recorded after getting the new phone.

I read many of these replies and tried to apply some of the approaches with mixed results. One thing that worked for me was backing up and restoring the phone. THIS DID NOT WORK INITIALLY, though. I slept on it and while in my car the following day listening to music via Bluetooth, I attempted again. Started with the oldest one and it played fine! All of them worked afterward. Even played through the phone afterwards when disconnected. Hope this helps.

Thanks,

Tate

Dudley73

Level 1

4 points

Jul 14, 2019 2:26 PM in response to tate50

Thanks Tate – confirming I had exactly the same success. Like you, after buying a new iPhone (from an 8 to a XS), suddenly all older memos would not play. I restored to an older back-up – same as you, it didn't appear to work INITIALLY. But looking through my Memos app a few days later, issue was fixed. All my Memos on my phone played fine, some a few years old. I'd suggest restoring to a back-up, maybe pre-purchase of the new phone. Then give it a day before checking. All old memos should play again.

Aug 1, 2019 2:20 PM in response to gina Louise

Same here. This has happened to me with almost every phone and it’s so annoying. But as you did, I fiddled around with iCloud - just turning things off and on in settings. Changed the file type in settings/voice memos from compressed to lossless (whatever this means?) and now they are playing.

Aug 23, 2019 1:57 PM in response to infini02

I figured out this problem for me. It's possible your voice memos are not coming back on your iPhone if you also have a Mac running Mojave. One possible solutions is turning on voice memos on in Mojave. Go to the Spotlight Search (magnifying class) in the upper right. Search for "Voice Memos." Then continue through the startup screens. In a few minutes your voice memos should begin to load. It worked for me. Good luck!

May 18, 2019 8:40 PM in response to infini02

After using my new iPhone XR, my previous voice memos recorded on iPhone XS do not play anymore, what is the solution?

Jun 27, 2019 2:23 AM in response to infini02

I'm having the same problem ! Has anyone found a solution ?

anselka1

Level 1

8 points

Jul 2, 2019 7:43 PM in response to itsFatima

Follow the instructions on the YouTube video. It worked great for me and I saw a couple other folks used it successfully as well 😊 https://youtu.be/Zy4LDk_Tszo

SamRoe

Level 1

4 points

Jul 9, 2019 5:34 AM in response to infini02

Is anyone of apple gonna address that?

I recorded an 1h05min interview for my masters thesis and it doesnt play!!

Jul 9, 2019 2:19 PM in response to infini02

Same issue. I have 100s of voice memos and after upgrading to xsmax they wont play.... ahhh i need them

misria

Level 1

4 points

Jul 9, 2019 11:31 PM in response to anselka1

I am not able to transfer my voice memo to any location. How did you manage to get your voice memo on your laptop? Only then I think i will be able to follow the procedures as showed in the video.