9 Fixes for "Cannot Send Audio Messages at This Time" on iOS

Are you unable to send audio messages on your iPhone? Do you receive an error message that says "Cannot send audio messages at this time" in the Messages app? Luckily, there are a few easy fixes for this problem. This wikiHow article teaches you the causes and solutions to the error message "Cannot send audio messages at this time" on iPhone's Messages app.

Things You Should Know

Make sure the person you're texting is also using an iPhone, as Android users can't receive audio messages.
A slow or unreliable network can prevent audio messages from being sent. Try switching to a 5 GHz network or mobile data.
Force restart the Messages app, disable and reenable iMessages, and make sure your iPhone is up to date.

Section 1 of 9:

Ensure Compatibility

Download Article

Audio messaging uses Apple's iMessage technology and is only available in the Messages app. If the person you're sending an audio message to doesn't have an iPhone, iPad, or Mac with iMessage turned on, you won't be able to send them audio messages.

Section 2 of 9:

Force Restart Messages

Download Article

To do so, swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or press the Home button twice) to open the app switcher screen, swipe left or right until you see the Messages app, then swipe it up to close it. Reopen Messages and try sending another voice message.

Section 3 of 9:

Check Your Connection

Download Article

1
Check your internet speed. A slow connection can lead to the "Cannot Send Audio Messages at This Time" error. To check your internet speed, go to Speedtest.net and click Go.
- Some internet service providers may throttle your internet speed if you've used too much bandwidth in a month.
2
Switch to a different network. If your internet connection is slow, you can try switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data if you're on Wi-Fi or vice-versa. If you have a dual-band modem on your Wi-Fi network, try switching to the 5 Ghz band. To switch Wi-Fi networks:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Wi-Fi.
- Tap a high-speed Wi-Fi network.
- Enter the Wi-Fi password.
3
Turn off Low Data Mode. If you're on mobile data, you may see "Cannot Send Audio Messages at This Time" if Low Data Mode is enabled. To turn off Low Data Mode Data mode:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Cellular Data.
- Tap Cellular Data Options.
- Tap Data mode.
- Tap the toggle switch to turn Low Data Mode off.^{[1]
  X
  Research source}

Section 4 of 9:

Restart Your iPhone

Download Article

Power your iPhone off and then back on. Power cycling your iPhone can fix a lot of software issues.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- iPhone X or later: Press and hold the side button on the right and either volume until the power-off slider appears. Slide the power off slider to power off your iPhone. Wait 30 seconds and press and hold the side button to power your phone back on.
- iPhone 6, 7, 8 or SE (2nd or 3rd Generation): Press and hold the side button on the right until the power-off slider appears. Slide the power off slider to power off your iPhone. Wait 30 seconds and press and hold the side button to power your phone back on.
- iPhone SE (1st Generation), 5 or earlier: Press and hold the button on the top-right shoulder of your phone until the power-off slider appears. Slide the power off slider to power off your iPhone. Wait 30 seconds and press and hold the side button to power your phone back on.

Section 5 of 9:

Reactivate iMessage

Download Article

Disable and reenable iMessage. If iMessage isn't turned on, you won't be able to send audio messages. If it is turned on, you might be able to fix the "Cannot Send Audio Messages at This Time" error by turning it off and back on. Here's how:
- Force close Messages.
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Messages.
- If iMessage is off, tap the toggle switch to turn it on. If it is on, tap the toggle switch to turn it off.
- Wait a few minutes, tap the toggle switch to turn it back on, and try sending an audio message again.

Section 6 of 9:

Enable MMS

Download Article

Make sure you can send multimedia messages. If MMS messages are disabled in the Settings menu, you may be unable to send audio messages. To see if MMS is enabled:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Messages.
- Ensure the toggle switch next to MMS is enabled.

Section 7 of 9:

Free Up Space

Download Article

Delete some apps you no longer use, as well as any photos, videos, or audio files you have saved on your device that you no longer need. If you have any saved audio messages, delete the ones you have already heard.

Section 8 of 9:

Disable Sound Recognition

Download Article

Sound recognition can break audio messages. Sound recognition is a feature where your iPhone constantly listens to noises, such as doorbells, sirens, and crying babies so that it can notify you. Many users have reported that this feature can prevent you from recording audio messages. To turn this feature off:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Accessibility.
- Tap Sound Recognition.
- Tap the toggle switch to turn sound recognition off.

Section 9 of 9:

Update Your iPhone

Download Article

Check if iOS needs an update. Update iOS can fix any software and system issues your iPhone is experiencing. It will also update the Messages app. Use the following steps to update your iPhone:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap General.
- Tap Software Update.
- Tap Download and Install if an update is available.^{[3]
  X
  Research source}