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Apple’s Voice Memos app just got the promised layering functionality that was shown off in September at the iPhone event. This allows people to layer another track on top of a pre-existing track, making the app an extremely limited, albeit useful, recording tool. This update is part of iOS 18.2, which also brings more AI nonsense, like a custom emoji creator.
There is an important caveat here. The Voice Memos software mod is only available for iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max. This is a shame, given that layering tracks isn’t exactly rocket science, but the company says there’s a good reason to exclude other models.
The software allows people to add that second layer without using headphones, which is made possible thanks to some algorithmic magic, the A18 Pro chip, and those new “studio quality” microphones that come with the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. It’s a pretty cool trick but, you know, it’s not exactly necessary. I don’t mind wearing headphones even for a minute.
The update can also split the voice memo into two composite tracks, for later use with legitimate recording software. That’s another interesting little trick and somewhat similar to what the Beatles did for their last (and final) song. Singer Michael Bublé and country star Carly Pearce used the Voice Memos app to create a little Christmas song, as seen below.
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As with everything recorded with voice memos, files will be synced between devices thanks to Apple iCloud. These multi-layered tracks will also be available on Mac computers to drag and drop into a session with Logic Pro.
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