A voice memo feels like a private note, but when you share it, the file goes with it. iPhone voice memos are saved as M4A audio files. Their tags can include a title, the date and time they were recorded and the device or app that made them.
The title can be a place
The Voice Memos app has a setting called Location-Based Naming (in Settings, Voice Memos). When it is on, a new recording is named after the place where you made it, for example a street or a neighbourhood. If you share the file, the name goes with it. Turn the setting off if you do not want that.
Other things in the file
- Creation and modification dates of the recording.
- The title you or the app gave it.
- Encoder and device tags from the recording app.
Clean it before you share
- Share the memo to Files, or use the share sheet’s Save to Files option, so you have the M4A file.
- Open the M4A Metadata Remover in your browser and choose the file.
- Press Clean, read the report, and download the clean copy.
- Send the clean copy and keep the original.
The sound stays exactly as recorded. The cleaner copies the audio stream and leaves the tags out.