iMessage Voice Notes Setup Guide

• Native voice note sending works only on the currently active (logged-in) macOS user
• If multiple users exist (Fast User Switching):
• The gateway user must be the foreground session
• ❌ Background sessions cannot:
• Access screen
• Access audio devices
• Control Messages UI

• The computer cannot be used during voice note sending
• The app temporarily takes control of:
• Screen
• System audio
• Messages app

• Audio length + a few extra seconds

• Use a dedicated gateway Mac if you want to ensure Native AI voice messages operate correctly

• Audio files are sent as native voice note bubbles
• Includes inline playback waveform
• Not sent as file attachments

You must configure the following on your Mac:

• 🟢 Green = Configured
• 🔴 Red = Not Configured

🚨 Homebrew must be installed before BlackHole installation) because it is required to install BlackHole. Without Homebrew, the BlackHole installation command will not work.

Check if Homebrew is installed first by opening Terminal and entering

If a version number appears → Homebrew is already installed ✅
If you see “command not found” → Homebrew is not installed ❌

🔹 Once Homebrew Install confirmed Install Blackhole

1. Open Terminal
2. Run:

   3. Enter your Mac password when prompted

• Restart your Mac after installation
• Without reboot → BlackHole will NOT work

1. Open System Settings
2. Go to Sound
3. Check:
• Input devices
• Output devices

• Click the lock icon to allow changes
• Click the + button
• Select your app and add it
• Ensure the toggle is ON

• Click the + button manually
• Navigate to the app’s location (e.g., Applications folder)
• Select and add it manually

• Remove the app from the list
• Add it again manually
• Turn the toggle ON

• The app dashboard should show Accessibility = Green ✅
• If it shows red ❌:
• Re-check that the app is added
• Ensure the toggle is ON
• Try removing and re-adding the app

1. Download
• The MP3 file is downloaded and converted to M4A
2. Convert
• The M4A file is converted to Opus-in-CAF format (native iMessage codec)
3. Record via BlackHole
• System audio input/output is temporarily switched to BlackHole
• The app plays the audio file
• It triggers the “Record Audio” button in Messages
• Messages records audio through BlackHole’s virtual microphone
4. Send
• The app clicks Stop, then Send
• The message is sent as a native voice note bubble
5. Restore
• Original audio devices are restored immediately after recording

• During sending, system audio is temporarily switched to BlackHole
  → You will not hear system sounds during this time
• Audio settings are automatically restored afterward
• Messages app must be open and signed in
• The Mac must not be in sleep mode

The app supports two configurable modes:

• Sends as iMessage voice note bubble
• Includes waveform playback
• Requires:
• BlackHole
• Accessibility permission
• Temporarily takes control of the screen
• The Mac cannot be used during sending

• Sends as: AudioMessage.caf
• Appears as a playable file attachment
• No screen interruption
• Works in the background
• Does NOT require:
• BlackHole
• Accessibility

• Personal Macs
• Background or unattended usage

• ✅ Native mode works only on the active (foreground) user session
• ❌ Background sessions cannot:
• Access UI
• Use Accessibility APIs
• Access audio devices

• Accessibility permission is enabled ✅
• BlackHole is installed and detected ✅
• Both indicators are green in the app dashboard

1. Remove the app from Accessibility
2. Re-add it
3. Restart the app

1. Verify installation path:

    2. If missing, reinstall:

    3. Restart your Mac

• Ensure BlackHole 2ch is visible as:
• Input device ✅
• Output device ✅

1. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility
2. Remove the app completely
3. Re-add the app from its current location
4. Turn the toggle ON

In order to save memory on your phone by default voice notes will automatically disappear two minutes after sending or immediately after they are listened to.

If you would like to save voice messages:

1. Go to the Settings app  on your iPhone.
2. Tap Apps, then tap Messages.
3. Tap Expire (below Audio Messages), then tap Never.

For more info on audio messages please see Apple support here

• Audio is recorded at the same quality as the original file
• Fully digital audio path (no analog conversion)
• ✅ No quality loss