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Apple makes some of the best phones in the smartphone market and those devices are accompanied by an equally stellar software experience, a lot of which is exclusive to iOS devices including apps like Facetime and iMessage. However, as well-designed as these apps are, they do run into problems from time to time.
In this article, we’re talking about the “cannot send audio messages at this time” error in iMessage, the reasons behind it and what you can do to fix the problem.
What causes the “cannot send audio messages at this time” error?
There are a number of reasons why you’d see this error. Some of the most common factors include:
- Internet connectivity issues.
- Issues with iMessage availability.
- Bug in the iMessage app itself.
Also read: Does iMessage notify when you take screenshots?
How to fix the “cannot send audio messages at this time” error?
Here are six fixes you can try out.
Restart your iPhone
Another thing you should do is try and restart your iPhone to see if that resolves the issue. Restarting your device can solve seemingly random issues that would otherwise be quite tricky to debug.
Check your WiFi and Cellular connections
You need an active internet connection to use iMessage. Therefore, having a WiFi or Cellular connection is essential. Make sure you’re either connected to a WiFi network and/or have cellular data working.
Alternatively, you can try switching to WiFi from mobile data. Make sure that you’re connecting to a 5GHz network as the additional bandwidth will help iMessage relay voice notes which require significantly more data and bandwidth as compared to text messages.
Re-launch the iMessage app
Another quick solution you can take is to dismiss the iMessage app from the list of recent apps on your iPhone and then try launching the app again. This clears out any corrupt data in the app’s cache that might be keeping it performing as intended.
Re-enable iMessage
Disabling iMessage and re-enabling it can also freshen things up a bit and resolve the issue.
- Head over to the settings and tap Messages.
- Turn the iMessage toggle off.
- Restart your device.
Once your device boots back up, repeat steps 1 and 2 to re-enable iMessage and check if it resolved your issue.
Disable Sound Recognition
iPhones have a sound recognition feature that can sometimes get in the way of you sending voice messages not only on iMessage but also in other apps. Try disabling it to see if that fixes your issue.
- Head over to your iPhone’s settings, scroll down and tap Accessibility.
- Scroll down and tap Sound Recognition.
- Tap the slider to disable the feature.
Now try sending a voice note again and it should get by just fine.
Update iOS
If a buggy iOS build is causing the problem you’re facing, chances are the developers have already fixed it and issued a patch. Follow these steps to ensure you have the latest iOS version installed on your phone.
- Head over to the settings and tap on General.
- Tap on Software Update.
- Ensure that you’re on the latest update available. If not, update your device immediately.
Also read: Unsend iMessage not working: Quick Fix
