diff --git a/Signal/Signal-Info.plist b/Signal/Signal-Info.plist
index 1d38a4db5..4090eeb04 100644
--- a/Signal/Signal-Info.plist
+++ b/Signal/Signal-Info.plist
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@
 	<key>NSContactsUsageDescription</key>
 	<string>Signal uses your contacts to find users you know. We do not store your contacts on the server.</string>
 	<key>NSMicrophoneUsageDescription</key>
-	<string>Signal needs access to your microphone to make and receive phone calls.</string>
+	<string>Signal needs access to your microphone to make and receive phone calls and record voice messages.</string>
 	<key>NSPhotoLibraryUsageDescription</key>
 	<string>Signal will let you choose which photos from your library to send.</string>
 	<key>UIAppFonts</key>
diff --git a/Signal/src/ViewControllers/MessagesViewController.m b/Signal/src/ViewControllers/MessagesViewController.m
index 28057efc6..361cf70d5 100644
--- a/Signal/src/ViewControllers/MessagesViewController.m
+++ b/Signal/src/ViewControllers/MessagesViewController.m
@@ -3105,6 +3105,29 @@ typedef enum : NSUInteger {
 
 #pragma mark - Audio
 
+- (void)requestRecordingVoiceMemo
+{
+    OWSAssert([NSThread isMainThread]);
+
+    __weak typeof(self) weakSelf = self;
+    [[AVAudioSession sharedInstance] requestRecordPermission:^(BOOL granted) {
+        dispatch_async(dispatch_get_main_queue(), ^{
+            __strong typeof(self) strongSelf = weakSelf;
+            if (!strongSelf) {
+                return;
+            }
+
+            if (granted) {
+                [strongSelf startRecordingVoiceMemo];
+            } else {
+                DDLogInfo(@"%@ we do not have recording permission.", self.tag);
+                [strongSelf cancelVoiceMemo];
+                [OWSAlerts showNoMicrophonePermissionAlert];
+            }
+        });
+    }];
+}
+
 - (void)startRecordingVoiceMemo
 {
     OWSAssert([NSThread isMainThread]);
@@ -3122,6 +3145,8 @@ typedef enum : NSUInteger {
 
     // Setup audio session
     AVAudioSession *session = [AVAudioSession sharedInstance];
+    OWSAssert(session.recordPermission == AVAudioSessionRecordPermissionGranted);
+
     NSError *error;
     [session setCategory:AVAudioSessionCategoryRecord error:&error];
     if (error) {
@@ -3162,13 +3187,6 @@ typedef enum : NSUInteger {
         OWSAssert(0);
         return;
     }
-
-    if (session.recordPermission != AVAudioSessionRecordPermissionGranted) {
-        DDLogInfo(@"%@ we do not have recording permission.", self.tag);
-        [self cancelVoiceMemo];
-        [OWSAlerts showNoMicrophonePermissionAlert];
-        return;
-    }
 }
 
 - (void)endRecordingVoiceMemo
@@ -3557,7 +3575,7 @@ typedef enum : NSUInteger {
 
     [((OWSMessagesInputToolbar *)self.inputToolbar)showVoiceMemoUI];
     AudioServicesPlaySystemSound(kSystemSoundID_Vibrate);
-    [self startRecordingVoiceMemo];
+    [self requestRecordingVoiceMemo];
 }
 
 - (void)voiceMemoGestureDidEnd
diff --git a/Signal/translations/en.lproj/Localizable.strings b/Signal/translations/en.lproj/Localizable.strings
index 2f5ef8bda..5c40c61bf 100644
--- a/Signal/translations/en.lproj/Localizable.strings
+++ b/Signal/translations/en.lproj/Localizable.strings
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@
 "BLOCK_OFFER_ACTIONSHEET_TITLE_FORMAT" = "Block %@?";
 
 /* Alert message when calling and permissions for microphone are missing */
-"CALL_AUDIO_PERMISSION_MESSAGE" = "Signal requires access to your microphone to make calls. You can grant this permission in the Settings app.";
+"CALL_AUDIO_PERMISSION_MESSAGE" = "Signal requires access to your microphone to make calls and record voice messages. You can grant this permission in the Settings app.";
 
 /* Alert title when calling and permissions for microphone are missing */
 "CALL_AUDIO_PERMISSION_TITLE" = "Microphone Access Required";