![](https://help.apple.com/assets/63FFF2C9EC1A1E3FCE0E7474/63FFF2CAEC1A1E3FCE0E747B/en_GB/c27c65b1266d94bf2a93a29bfed0578a.png)
Play a recording on Mac
Use Voice Memos playback controls to play, pause, or quickly jump forwards or backwards 15 seconds in your recording.
![The Voice Memos app showing the recordings in the library on the left. The selected recording appears in the window to the right of the list, as a waveform detail with a blue playhead in the centre. Below the recording is the waveform overview.](https://help.apple.com/assets/63FFF2C9EC1A1E3FCE0E7474/63FFF2CAEC1A1E3FCE0E747B/en_GB/f86fed6354aaabb77517cb63bac53e53.png)
In the Voice Memos app
on your Mac, select the recording.
Tip: You can also search for the name of a recording. Just enter text into the Search field.
Click the Play button
(or use the Touch Bar).
Do any of the following:
To play the audio from a different starting point, drag the blue vertical line (playhead) left or right in the waveform overview. If you have a trackpad or a Magic Mouse, you can also swipe left or right with two fingers in the waveform detail.
Click the Rewind button
to go back (in 15-second increments) in the recording playback.
Click the Pause button
to temporarily stop the recording playback.
Click the Fast-Forward button
to skip ahead (in 15-second increments) in the recording playback.
Tip: You can also press the Space bar to play, pause and resume playing a recording.