Voice Memos don't record on MacBook Pro

Thanks to Daniele who posted a comment to my video where it indicates the solution to the problem: https://www.reddit.com/r/MacOS/comments/dgk8zs/voice_memos_not_working/

SOLUTION --> Go to sound settings in system control and check play User interface sound effects.

It works, it’s amazing. I’m excited. Anyway, it’s a bug to fix, because I don’t want to leave that option active. Apple? Apple, are you reading?????? Hey?????

Hello Emme313,

I understand that voice memos aren't recording on your Mac. I am happy to provide some information to help.

Below is an article that will walk you through the process of recording memos on your Mac.

Record a voice memo on your Mac

Use the articles below to troubleshoot any issues with your microphone:

If you can't record audio after installing macOS Mojave or later - Apple Support

Control access to your microphone on Mac - Apple Support

Change the sound input settings on Mac - Apple Support

Let me know if you were successful in recording voice memos.

Have a great day!

Same problem for me. When I create a second account, "Voice Memos" works. But not on my main account, not even in safe mode: I read on some sites that can be linked to iCloud (but I can't log out from my iCloud account to make an app works and I don't even want to try). I tried to remove Voice Memos from synchronization but nothing changes.

It receives the recordings made on iPad via iCloud and I can edit but not add audio and even start a new recording: everything is blocked ...

All the app does is create 2KB files, for example: "20200322 212104.m4a". Which then disappears when I click on end or pause.

Microphone input works on any app and software.

In the settings, the app does not appear among those authorized to use the microphone but it cannot be added in any way.

I attach a video from youtube made by me where I show the problem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrdJSyf9X2A

I also have the same problem! I use macOS Catalina 10.15.3. There is nothing wrong with the microphone or sound settings. I reached out the online support three times already and they could not solve the problem.

The only thing I know is that this is a problem related to my user settings because when I changed another user, Voice Memo does work. Everything is fine, but with my user, when I play record, nothing happens. The time does not progress as in your screen.

I also did try rescue mode, SMD and NVRAM reseting, but again nothing changed. It is so boring.

It is frankly embarrassing that a very simple program that only has to RECORD AUDIO doesn’t work....

All the programs I use record audio without problems, even on any browser. But not the Apple Voice Memos program! Is it possible that Apple won’t fix this bug?

Hi everyone, I had the same problem and believe me I did anything you can think of. Apple Services recommended a bunch of stuff for me to apply including uploading the new version of Catalina and they did not work. I believe it is a bug they have to fix for all Catalina versions. I had to move to a new user to be able to use the application and it worked but it is annoying to transfer all my stuff from my old user to the new one. If you don't mind that, you can also do the same.

Hello Emme313,

Thanks for getting back to me. I recommend at this point contacting Apple Support directly for further help with this issue.

Get Support

Take care!

Updated MacOS to 10.15.4.... same problem....

I am also facing the same problem. Any solution so far worked for anyone of you?