In this guide
Save a compatible MP3 or WAV in Files, open the audio reverser in your browser, and preview and download the reversed result. Voice Memos normally exports M4A, so convert a compatible copy to WAV first. Keep the original and check the saved audio.
To reverse audio on an iPhone, save a compatible MP3 or WAV in Files, open the free audio reverser in your browser, choose the file, and prepare a WAV or MP3. Preview the reversed export, download it, and listen to the saved file. The tool reverses the whole chosen file; it does not record a microphone or select one sound from a mix.
If your recording is in Voice Memos, export it to Files first. Apple says the default export is M4A, which the reverser does not accept directly; the conversion steps below prepare a compatible WAV. Browser and codec support vary, and the original recording should be kept.
Reverse an MP3 or WAV on iPhone
- Find the source in Files. Use an audio file you are permitted to edit. The reverser accepts mono or stereo MP3 and WAV files up to five minutes and 50 MiB; the output must also fit 50 MiB.
- Open the reverser. In Safari or another compatible browser, visit Reverse Audio and select the file from Files. The browser processes supported files locally; the audio is not uploaded to the AI service.
- Choose the output. Select WAV for an editing copy or an available MP3 bitrate for a compressed copy. Tap Reverse & preview, then listen to the beginning and ending.
- Download and check it. Save the prepared file and play it in your intended app. Safari's downloads button can show recent downloads, or open the Downloads folder in Files. The location depends on your Safari download settings; see Apple's download instructions.
The tool reverses the decoded timeline within each channel: the ending plays first, including the sounds in it. It does not reverse picture, isolate a voice, or translate backwards speech. WAV is written as 16-bit PCM at 48 kHz; MP3 is re-encoded and can add delay or padding. Source tags and artwork are not retained.
Reverse a Voice Memos recording
- Export a copy. In Voice Memos, select the recording, open its More menu, choose Share, then Save to Files. Apple explains the steps and notes that the default export is M4A in its Voice Memos export guide. Menu labels may vary by iOS version.
- Convert the M4A. Open M4A to WAV, select the saved recording, prepare the WAV, and download it. The converter accepts compatible mono or stereo M4A files up to five minutes and 50 MiB; its output must also fit 50 MiB. Codec support depends on the browser.
- Reverse the saved WAV. Open the reverser, select that downloaded WAV, choose the output format and preview it. The two tools are separate: you must select the saved file in the second tool.
- Keep and compare both copies. Save the reversed file and play it alongside the original memo. Conversion and reversal make new files; neither changes the original in Voice Memos.
A compressed M4A can expand substantially as WAV, so a file that meets the input limit may still exceed the output limit. Use a shorter compatible excerpt or another editor if needed. Converting to WAV does not restore detail already lost in a compressed recording; see M4A-to-WAV guidance for size and format details.
Reverse only part of a recording
Prepare a separate excerpt first, then select that file in the reverser. The audio trimmer accepts supported short MP3 and WAV files and exports the selected section. For a Voice Memo, convert a compatible M4A first or prepare the excerpt in another editor. Leave enough of the sound's tail: a reversed cymbal decay, for example, becomes a rising sound leading into its attack.
Listen at the cut boundaries for clicks. If a click is introduced at an edge, compare a slightly different cut or a short fade using the audio fade tool. A fade changes the sound at that boundary, so keep an unfaded copy too.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | What to check |
|---|---|
| The recording cannot be selected | Check its actual format and location in Files. The reverser accepts MP3 or WAV, not M4A; a renamed extension does not convert the audio. |
| The WAV is too large | Use a shorter source or select MP3 output if appropriate. Input and output each have a 50 MiB limit, and the recording must be at most five minutes. |
| The download is missing | Check Safari's Downloads list and the location selected in Safari settings. An iCloud Drive download may need to finish syncing before another app opens it. |
| Only the sound should play backwards in a video | Import the saved reversed audio into a video editor and keep the picture forward. Mute the original track when comparing and check synchronization at the intended cue. |
Common questions
Can I reverse only the voice in a recording with music?
Reversing a mixed file reverses the voice and music together. If you need a voice alone, start with the original separate voice track or test voice isolation, then review the result before reversing. AI separation is an estimate and its downloads require an account and credits.
Does reversing a recording twice restore the original file?
It restores the order of decoded samples in principle, but new encoding, resampling or 16-bit quantization can change the result. Keep the original instead of relying on a second export as a backup.
For a video-editor workflow, see how to reverse audio in CapCut. For a desktop editor, see reversing a selection in Audacity.