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WhatsApp will let you preview voice messages. Here's how

The messaging service's new feature lets you listen to your voice messages before you send them, because we all need a redo sometimes.

Attila Tomaschek
Attila is a Staff Writer for CNET, covering software, apps and services with a focus on virtual private networks. He is an advocate for digital privacy and has been quoted in online publications like Computer Weekly, The Guardian, BBC News, HuffPost, Wired and TechRepublic. When not tapping away on his laptop, Attila enjoys spending time with his family, reading and collecting guitars.
Expertise Attila has nearly a decade's worth of experience with VPNs and has been covering them for CNET since 2021. As CNET's VPN expert, Attila rigorously tests VPNs and offers readers advice on how they can use the technology to protect their privacy online.
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WhatsApp is looking to enhance its popular voice messaging functionality by letting you preview your voice messages before you send them.

 Angela Lang/CNET

In a move that's meant to ease anxiety and reduce the awkwardness that comes with bungling a voice message, WhatsApp on Tuesday rolled out Voice Message Preview. The feature lets you listen to and redo your voice messages before you send them. 

"Voice Messages are one of the most popular features for WhatsApp users worldwide," the Facebook-owned service noted in a release, saying they're the "easiest and quickest way to send a message when you really want to get an emotion across, time is tight, or you're juggling other tasks, like holding a baby or carrying shopping/groceries."

Voice messaging on WhatsApp already includes hands-free recording and speed controls for message playback. But WhatsApp says the new feature is "perfect for those moments when you want to get your message just right."

Here's how to preview your voice messages on WhatsApp:

  1. Open up a group or individual chat.
  2. Tap and hold the microphone icon and slide up to enable hands-free recording.
  3. Record your message.
  4. Tap the Stop button when you've finished your message.
  5. Tap the Play button to listen to what you've recorded.
  6. To delete and start over, tap the trash can icon.
  7. Once you've got your message just right, tap the Send button to send it.

You can preview and redo as many takes of your voice message as you want, to make sure your message gets across exactly as you intend.

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