iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max Get 'Layered Recordings' Feature in Voice Memos Update

An update to Voice Memos allows users the ability to layer a vocal on top of an existing instrumental recording on iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max

Apple has introduced a powerful new feature to its Voice Memos app with the release of iOS 18.2, allowing iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max users to layer vocal recordings on top of instrumental tracks without the need for headphones. This enhancement, designed with musicians in mind, lets users record vocals while playing instrumental tracks directly from the iPhone's speaker, thanks to the studio-quality microphones on these latest devices.

Powered by the A18 Pro chip, the new feature uses advanced processing and machine learning to isolate vocal recordings, creating two distinct tracks for further editing and mixing. These tracks can be exported to professional apps like Logic Pro, allowing artists and producers to refine their work. Additionally, Layered Recordings sync across devices, so users can access them on their Mac and drag-and-drop them into a Logic Pro session.

The update enables musicians to record vocals over any instrumental background, whether it's an acoustic guitar or piano, directly in Voice Memos. In a further boost to flexibility, users can also send an instrumental mix as a compressed audio file to Voice Memos, making it easy to layer vocals at any time or place inspiration strikes.

To highlight the new feature, Apple enlisted a trio of GRAMMY Award winners—Michael Bublé, Carly Pearce, and Greg Wells—who recorded their holiday track "Maybe This Christmas" using Voice Memos on the iPhone 16 Pro. In a behind-the-scenes video, the artists shared how the new feature enhanced their creative process, with Bublé emphasizing how Voice Memos enables artists to capture inspiration without the constraints of a traditional studio setup.

The song is available for streaming on Apple Music in Spatial Audio. The Layered Recordings feature is exclusive to iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max with iOS 18.2, and the ability to share or import recordings is available in Logic Pro for Mac 11.1 (with macOS Sequoia 15.2) and Logic Pro for iPad 2.1 (with iPadOS 18.2).