Cannot send audio messages at this time

It would be nice if every-time Apple updated our phones that it didn’t take out simple functions that have worked fine until they decide to update it with no instructions what your doing to the phones & what could go wrong with how to fix it, you all are just taking control & we blindly let you & then it’s hours if we’re lucky & not days to figure out how to fix what Apple has messed up.

Basically since the update you are right, I have the same issue. After following instructions from a blog (turning off and on the iMessage, wi-fi, etc.) and rebooting my iPhone Xr on macOS 16.3, I regained the ability to send audio messages to other iPhone users, but not those on Androids. I'll have to check with Apple Support (but I'm tired since I've done so over three times since the last update).

Same thing is happening to me and it’s frustrating. It didn’t do this until the update and now I can’t send voice notes to androids.

Greetings Patsymouse, 

It would be helpful if you could let us know what happens when you attempt to send an audio message. If there are any error messages, having that verbiage can tell us a lot as well. 

In the mean time, here are some basic steps to begin isolating and troubleshooting with - 

• Make sure your iPhone is up to date with iOS 16.1.1. You can check in Settings > General > Software Update. 
• Restart your device, if you haven’t since noticing the issue. Restart your iPhone

Also, since sending a recorded audio message changed a bit with iOS 16, here are the steps from the iOS 16 User Guide - Send and receive messages on iPhone 

Send a recorded audio message

Instead of writing a text message, you can quickly record an audio message that can be played right in the Messages conversation.

Audio recording is an iMessage app. In a Messages conversation, tap  to show the app icons below the text field, tap , then do one of the following:

To record and review before sending: Tap  to record, then tap it again to stop recording. Tap  to review, then tap  to send the recording or  to cancel.

To record a message and send it immediately: Hold .

Note: Your audio message disappears from your conversation two minutes after you send it, unless you tap Keep. Recipients can still play your recording. To always keep audio messages, go to Settings  > Messages > Expire (below Audio Messages), then tap Never.

Thanks.

I have this problem only when trying to record a voice note to someone on an android, not an iPhone. Were voicenotes always only supported between iPhones or has something changed? The voicenote UI has definitely changed since the last OS update

Hi even I’m facing the same issue while I’m trying to send voice messages in messages I was getting like cannot send it at this time

and also I’m unable to send images through messages please help

I can not send voice messages from my iPhone

Patsymouse,

If the resource and information we provided doesn't help you can reach out for additional support here: Get Support

Take care.