How to Use Raise to Listen or Reply to Audio Text in Messages

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You can send and receive audio messages to and from other iPhone users. So if you'd like to send a clip of a concert or lecture you're attending, you can just use this Messages feature instead of killing your iPhone battery creating a video or audio recording. You can also turn on a feature that allows you to listen to those messages by simply raising your iPhone to your ear. This feature is called Raise to Listen. It can also be used when checking voicemails. Here’s how to use Raise to Listen or reply to audio text in Messages.

Related: How to Use Voicemail Transcription with iOS 10 on iPhone

If you receive an audio message, you don't even need to press play—just enable the Raise to Listen feature. To do this:

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  • Open Settings.

  • Tap Messages.

  • Toggle "Raise to Listen" to the on position.

Now, when you receive an audio message, just raise the phone to your ear and the audio message will start playing automatically.

You can use Raise to Listen either within the Messages app or from the Lock screen when you see the message notification pop up. After you’ve listened to the message, you’ll also have the option to Raise to Respond.

If you don't have Raise to Listen enabled, you can listen to audio messages by pressing the “play” button.

Top image credit: GongTo / Shutterstock.com

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Abbey Dufoe's picture

Author Details

Abbey Dufoe

Abbey Dufoe is a freelance writer and a web producer at a nonprofit based in Princeton, NJ. She's always itching for the newest iOS gadget (current favorite - the Apple Watch). She tweets and blogs about the earth and the Internet on Twitter at @abbeydufoe and at abbeydufoe.com.