Edit a voice memo on your Mac

If you want to overwrite some existing audio, use Replace.

1. In the Voice Memos app on your Mac, select the recording in the sidebar.

2. Click the Edit button in the upper-right corner to open the recording in the Edit window.

   If you have a trackpad or a Magic Mouse, click or tap with two fingers on the recording in the sidebar, then choose Edit Recording.

3. Drag the blue vertical line (playhead) in the waveform overview left or right.

   If you have a trackpad or a Magic Mouse, you can also swipe left or right with two fingers in the waveform detail to position the playhead.

4. Click the Replace button, (or use the Touch Bar), then record the new audio.

   Click the Pause button to stop recording. Click Replace or Resume to continue recording.

5. Click Done to save the recording.

If you want to delete some excess audio, use Trim.

1. In the Voice Memos app on your Mac, select the recording in the sidebar.

2. Click the Edit button to open the recording in the Edit window.

   If you have a trackpad or a Magic Mouse, click or tap with two fingers, then choose Trim Recording.

3. Click the Trim button , then drag the yellow trim handles to set the range to trim.

4. Click the Play button , (or use the Touch Bar), to check your edit, then adjust the trim handles if necessary.

   

5. Do one of the following:

   • Click Trim to remove the recording outside the trim handles.

   • Click Delete to remove the recording between the trim handles.

6. Click Save to save the change, then click Done.

If you have a recording that you want to copy (either to leave as is or to edit), you can duplicate it.

1. In the Voice Memos app on your Mac, select the recording in the sidebar.

2. Choose File > Duplicate.

   If you have a trackpad or a Magic Mouse, click or tap with two fingers, then choose Duplicate.

   The recording is copied and appears in the sidebar.

By default, the name of a recording will be based on your location. However, you can rename it.

1. In the Voice Memos app on your Mac, select the recording in the sidebar.

2. Click the name in the sidebar, enter a new name, then press Return.

To have the name of your recordings default to a generic name (not a location-based one), choose Voice Memos > Preferences, then deselect “Location-based naming.” See Change preferences.