In this guide
For an audio file, try an audio-only Encode Media shortcut and save its output to Files. For independent editing inside a movie, detach the audio in iMovie. Both start with the video's mixed soundtrack; neither automatically separates speech from music.
If you want a silent video instead of an audio file, see how to remove audio from a video on iPhone.
To extract audio from an iPhone video, you can make a Shortcuts workflow that receives the video, uses Encode Media with Audio Only, and saves the result to Files. If you only need to edit the soundtrack within a movie, iMovie can detach audio from a video clip in its timeline. A third option is to convert a supported short MP4 or MOV to WAV in the browser.
These methods keep the selected soundtrack as a mix. Speech, music and sound effects already combined in the video remain together unless you use a separate source-isolation process.
If your goal is clearer speech rather than a separate copy of the complete soundtrack, see the iPhone video noise-reduction guide.
Choose the result you need
| Goal | Starting method | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Save the video's soundtrack to Files | Shortcuts: Encode Media with Audio Only, then Save File. | Open the saved audio and verify its format and duration. |
| Edit sound separately from picture | Detach the clip audio in an iMovie project. | Timeline alignment and whether both copies play. |
| Create a short 16-bit WAV | Try the local video-to-WAV converter in a compatible browser. | Input codec, file limits and sync with the video. |
| Keep one voice or music from a mixed clip | Compare original separate tracks or a source-isolation test. | Missing words, bleed and changed scene sounds. |
Save audio from an iPhone video using Shortcuts
- Create a shortcut. In Shortcuts, create a new shortcut and enable Show in Share Sheet in its details. Apple explains this setup in Launch a shortcut from another app. Allow the shortcut to receive the video or media input offered by Photos or Files.
- Add Encode Media. Search the actions for Encode Media and add it after the shortcut input. Expand the action's options and turn on Audio Only. Check that it receives the shared video rather than an unrelated input.
- Add Save File. Add a Save File action after Encode Media, using the encoded output as its input. Choose a destination when prompted or configure the action for the folder you want. Apple's share actions guide describes Save File.
- Run and verify. Open a video in Photos or Files, tap Share and select your shortcut. After saving, open the file in Files and play the beginning, middle and end. Check the actual extension and duration rather than assuming it is MP3 or WAV.
If the shortcut does not appear, check Show in Share Sheet and its accepted input types; Apple notes that a shortcut can be hidden when the app's shared content does not match. If the output still contains picture, reopen Encode Media and check Audio Only. Shortcuts controls and labels can vary by iOS version, and this workflow re-encodes media rather than promising a byte-for-byte stream copy.
Detach audio in iMovie on iPhone
Open an iMovie movie project, add the video and select its clip in the timeline. Use the clip's audio controls to Detach the audio, creating a separate timeline clip. Apple's iMovie audio-editing instructions describe detaching and editing it.
Detaching makes the sound independently editable inside the project; it does not by itself save a standalone audio file. If you move the sound, check lip sync and transitions. If you hear an echo, make sure the original soundtrack and its detached copy are not both playing.
Make a WAV from a short video in the browser
Try the free video-to-WAV converter with a supported MP4 or MOV up to 50 MiB and five minutes. Choose 44.1 or 48 kHz, prepare the file, then preview and download the 16-bit PCM WAV. The selected video is read locally in the browser; no account or upload is needed. The output must also fit 50 MiB and decoded audio must be mono or stereo.
Browser support depends on the video container and audio codec. If your phone cannot open the file, try the Shortcuts or editor workflow instead. The browser decides which audio stream to decode; the tool cannot select a language or alternate track. It resamples and writes a new WAV rather than copying the encoded source, and codec timing or video offsets can affect sync. Keep the source video and check the downloaded file.
What if you only want the voice or music?
Extracting the soundtrack retains all the sounds already mixed into it. If you have the original microphone or music file, compare that first. Otherwise, the voice isolator can test “spoken voice” from a supported MP3, WAV, MP4 or MOV up to 50 MiB (52.43 MB). Review Isolated sound against the original: other sounds can remain and words can be altered. AI downloads require an account and sufficient credits; the download dialog shows the cost.
For music rather than speech, see how to extract music from a video. If you put processed audio back against picture, keep its original position and check both ends using the video audio replacement guide.
Common questions
Can I extract audio from a screen recording?
Yes, if the saved recording contains an audio track and your chosen workflow supports its format. Play the original first; a silent source has no captured sound to recover.
Does changing a video's extension to MP3 extract its audio?
No. Renaming changes the filename, not the encoded media. Use an audio export or conversion workflow, then check the resulting file.
Does extracting audio grant permission to reuse it?
No. The recording and any music can have separate rights. Use a source for which you have the permissions needed for your intended use.