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iMessage audio not playing for recipient

I record an audio message for a friend in iMessage and sometimes she can play them and sometimes she can’t. When she can’t, the messages just show 0:00 and/or flat line (see attached photo). I even tried listening to some of the messages after I sent them and they played for me, so I really don’t understand this. I have an iPhone 12 Pro Max and she also has a newer iPhone.

iPhone 12 Pro Max, iOS 14

Posted on Jan 25, 2021 10:16 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 27, 2021 1:06 PM

Thank you.

• I am running 14.3 ios

• I have 225.99GB storage capacity available out of 256GB

• I have restarted my phone twice (I have restarted it before this time and it still happened again, but I restarted it again anyway). Restart doesn’t fix this issue.

I am not sure if this happens with other contacts because I only exchange voice messages to one contact. I will let her know that it could’ve be her phone, but why does it do it and how can she fix it?


4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 27, 2021 1:06 PM in response to barberlives123

Thank you.

• I am running 14.3 ios

• I have 225.99GB storage capacity available out of 256GB

• I have restarted my phone twice (I have restarted it before this time and it still happened again, but I restarted it again anyway). Restart doesn’t fix this issue.

I am not sure if this happens with other contacts because I only exchange voice messages to one contact. I will let her know that it could’ve be her phone, but why does it do it and how can she fix it?


Jan 27, 2021 3:11 PM in response to MandyDolldoll

MandyDolldoll,


Thanks for checking those things on your device. It's hard to say exactly what's causing this, but the steps outlined in the previous reply may help fix it.


Testing with other contacts would help us isolate the issue to either your device or your friend's causing this to occur.


We'd also like to suggest having you both test on a different connection. For example, use a different Wi-Fi network or send over cellular data.


Thanks!

Jan 27, 2021 11:28 AM in response to MandyDolldoll

Hey there MandyDolldoll,


We understand audio messages are not playing for your friend in the Messages app. They play on your device but do not on theirs. We'll be happy to help.


If this is only happening with one contact and only on their device, it sounds like the issue may be with your friends device. We'd recommend passing along this info to them.


To begin, let's make sure the iPhone is fully up-to-date. Use the steps here: Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

If it's already up-to-date, let's complete a standard restart with the steps here: Restart your iPhone


Afterwards, let's check storage to make sure there is enough available. Low storage could cause issues. Use these steps: How to check the storage on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch


You could also test this with other contacts or even yourself to see if the issue still happens. This would help isolate what's happening.


Let us know how that goes or if you have any questions. Cheers!

iMessage audio not playing for recipient

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