Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are making waves with a standout feature in iOS 18.2: layered recordings in the Voice Memos app. This addition lets users record vocals while playing instrumental tracks directly from their devices—no headphones required. The secret sauce lies in Apple’s A18 Pro chip, which uses advanced machine learning to isolate vocal tracks from the instrumentals, creating two distinct audio layers.

This breakthrough doesn’t just stop at cleanly separating vocals from background sounds. Once recorded, users can tweak and mix these layers independently, or even export them to professional-grade editing tools like Logic Pro on Mac or iPad. Logic Pro’s integration also allows producers to send compressed instrumental files back to Voice Memos, enabling artists to record vocals whenever inspiration strikes.

The layered recording feature is exclusive to the iPhone 16 Pro lineup for now, and recordings require iOS 18.2 for compatibility. Apple has emphasized that devices running older versions of iOS won’t support layered playback unless tracks are pre-separated. This limitation highlights the feature’s reliance on the cutting-edge processing power of Apple’s latest hardware and software ecosystem.

For musicians, podcasters, and content creators, this is a significant leap forward. It turns the iPhone into a portable multi-track recorder, perfect for capturing ideas on the go or creating polished content. As Voice Memos syncs across Apple devices, users can seamlessly transition from recording on their phones to editing on a Mac or iPad, enhancing the workflow for creators.