To send a voice message on an iPhone, follow these steps:

1. Open the Messages app on your iPhone.
2. Start a new message or open an existing conversation with the person you want to send a voice message to.
3. Tap the plus (+) button next to the text input field.
4. Tap the "Audio" option. This will start recording your voice message immediately.
5. Speak your message.
6. When finished, tap the stop button.
7. You can listen to your recording by tapping the play button, or tap send to deliver the voice message.
8. If you want to re-record, you can cancel and try again before sending.

The recipient will receive the audio message and can play it back anytime. Audio messages are automatically deleted after 2 minutes unless you choose to keep them in the conversation settings

. Alternatively, you can record a voice memo using the Voice Memos app and share it via Messages or other apps:

• Open the Voice Memos app.
• Tap the red record button to start recording.
• Tap the stop button when done.
• Tap the share icon and select Messages to send the recording to a contact

Note: Voice messages can only be sent via iMessage to other Apple devices. The microphone icon for sending voice messages activates only when you are messaging an iMessage contact, not SMS/MMS

. This method works on the latest iOS versions and iPhone models, including iPhone 16