Trimming iPhone voice memos
Voice memos are M4A files, and the usual edit is the same: the seconds before you started talking and the fumble to stop the recording. Drop the memo, drag the left handle to where you start speaking and the right one to where you stop, and save. It stays M4A, so it is as small as the original and still plays everywhere Apple audio does.
The Voice Memos app can trim on the phone too (Edit, then the trim button). This is for when the memo is already on your computer, when you need a part from the middle, or when the result has to be MP3 or WAV for someone else.
Keep it M4A or change it
M4A is selected so the trimmed file matches the original. Choose MP3 if it is going to an Android phone or an old player, WAV for editing or transcription software, FLAC for a lossless archive, or OGG for the smallest file.
Step by step
- Drop the M4A file. Its waveform appears.
- Drag the handles to the part you want, or switch to Cut out selection to remove a section.
- Preview, keep M4A or choose another format, and save.
Frequently asked questions
How do I trim an M4A file?
Drop it onto this page, drag the two handles on the waveform around the part you want to keep, and save. It is done in your browser and comes back as M4A unless you pick another format.
Can I cut out the middle of an M4A?
Yes. Select the part to remove and choose Cut out selection; the audio either side is joined.
Does trimming an M4A lose quality?
Saving back to M4A re-encodes the audio, which loses a little; at 192 kbps or more it is not audible on speech. Save as WAV or FLAC if you need the trimmed audio with no further loss.
Why is M4A greyed out?
Your browser has no AAC encoder (Firefox, for example). Use Chrome, Edge or Safari, or save the trim as MP3 or WAV.
Is the recording uploaded?
No. It is decoded, trimmed and saved inside your browser tab.