Work with layered recordings
On iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max with iOS 18.2 or later, you can create a layered recording by adding a vocal layer on top of an instrumental recording. (See Add a second layer to a Voice Memos recording on iPhone.) On an iPad with iPadOS 18.2 or later, where you’re signed in to the same Apple Account, you can see any layered recordings you created on your iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max (indicated by in the list of recordings).
Note: Layered recordings are in QTA (QuickTime Audio) format. They won’t appear on devices with iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1, or earlier. When you separate the layers, each layer is in .m4a format and will appear on devices with iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1, or earlier.
Mix the layers
You can mix the two layers in a layered recording.
Go to the Voice Memos app
on your iPad.
Tap the layered recording you want to mix.
Tap
.
Drag the Layer Mix slider to mix the layers.
Separate the layers
In a layered recording that appears on your iPad, you can separate the two layers to edit them or play them separately.
Go to the Voice Memos app
on your iPad.
In the list of recordings, touch and hold the layered recording you want to separate, then tap Separate Layers.
The two layers appear as separate recordings in the list. You can select them, edit them, and play them separately.
Note: The separated layers are in .m4a format and will appear on devices with iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1, or earlier.