{"id":"mac-storage-basics.how-do-i-clear-deleted-voice-memos","url":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-clear-deleted-voice-memos","category":{"id":"mac-storage-basics","title":"Mac storage basics"},"subcategory":{"id":"creative-media","title":"Creative and media apps"},"question":"How do I stop deleted Voice Memos from taking up space?","alt_questions":["voice memos recently deleted mac","clear deleted voice memos","voice memos storage mac","voice memos settings clear deleted","delete recordings voice memos","voice memos space"],"short_answer":"Open Recently Deleted in Voice Memos and erase the recordings, then set Voice Memos → Settings → Clear Deleted to a shorter period.","answer_markdown":"Deleted recordings in **Voice Memos** go to **Recently Deleted** first, where they still use space. Open Recently Deleted in the sidebar and choose **Erase All** (or erase individual items) to remove them now.\n\nTo control it for the future, open **Voice Memos → Settings** and set **Clear Deleted** to a shorter period, such as immediately or after a day. If your memos sync through iCloud, deletions apply on your other devices too.","answer_html":"

Deleted recordings in Voice Memos go to Recently Deleted first, where they still use space. Open Recently Deleted in the sidebar and choose Erase All (or erase individual items) to remove them now.

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To control it for the future, open Voice Memos → Settings and set Clear Deleted to a shorter period, such as immediately or after a day. If your memos sync through iCloud, deletions apply on your other devices too.

","answer_text":"Deleted recordings in Voice Memos go to Recently Deleted first, where they still use space. Open Recently Deleted in the sidebar and choose Erase All (or erase individual items) to remove them now.\n\nTo control it for the future, open Voice Memos → Settings and set Clear Deleted to a shorter period, such as immediately or after a day. If your memos sync through iCloud, deletions apply on your other devices too.","tags":["voice memos","recently deleted","audio"],"related":[{"id":"mac-storage-basics.how-do-i-empty-recently-deleted-in-photos","question":"Why didn't deleting photos free up space on my Mac?","url":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-empty-recently-deleted-in-photos"},{"id":"mac-storage-basics.how-do-i-delete-downloaded-podcasts-and-books","question":"How do I remove downloaded podcasts, audiobooks and books from my Mac?","url":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-delete-downloaded-podcasts-and-books"}],"applies_to":"all","last_reviewed":"2026-10-01","title":"How do I stop deleted Voice Memos from taking up space? — Storage Studio FAQ","description":"Open Recently Deleted in Voice Memos and erase the recordings, then set Voice Memos → Settings → Clear Deleted to a shorter period.","crumbs":[{"name":"Home","path":"/"},{"name":"FAQ","path":"/faq/"},{"name":"Mac storage basics","path":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/"},{"name":"How do I stop deleted Voice Memos from taking up space?","path":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-clear-deleted-voice-memos"}],"jsonld":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-clear-deleted-voice-memos","inLanguage":"en","dateModified":"2026-10-01","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"How do I stop deleted Voice Memos from taking up space?","alternateName":["voice memos recently deleted mac","clear deleted voice memos","voice memos storage mac","voice memos settings clear deleted","delete recordings voice memos","voice memos space"],"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Deleted recordings in Voice Memos go to Recently Deleted first, where they still use space. Open Recently Deleted in the sidebar and choose Erase All (or erase individual items) to remove them now.\n\nTo control it for the future, open Voice Memos → Settings and set Clear Deleted to a shorter period, such as immediately or after a day. If your memos sync through iCloud, deletions apply on your other devices too.","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-clear-deleted-voice-memos"}}]},"fragment":"
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Mac storage basics · Creative and media apps

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How do I stop deleted Voice Memos from taking up space?

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Short answer: Open Recently Deleted in Voice Memos and erase the recordings, then set Voice Memos → Settings → Clear Deleted to a shorter period.

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Deleted recordings in Voice Memos go to Recently Deleted first, where they still use space. Open Recently Deleted in the sidebar and choose Erase All (or erase individual items) to remove them now.

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To control it for the future, open Voice Memos → Settings and set Clear Deleted to a shorter period, such as immediately or after a day. If your memos sync through iCloud, deletions apply on your other devices too.

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