As an iMessage user, you probably know about some of the 12 hidden iMessage features that make using the app even more convenient and enjoyable. Still, the ability to speed up the playback of audio messages in iMessage isn't widely known. That's because the feature isn't immediately apparent when looking at voice messages in iMessage. Unlike WhatsApp and Telegram, no button appears with the option to adjust the audio playback speed while listening to a message in iMessage.

Follow these steps to adjust the playback speed of an audio message in iMessage: 

1. Find the audio message you want to playback in iMessage.
2. Tap and hold the play button (tapping and holding the message itself won't work)
3. Select the desired speed.

That's all there is to it. You can adjust the playback speed of audio messages on iOS and MacOS this way and choose from 1x, 1.25x, 1.5x, or 2x playback speeds. You can change the playback speed before the message starts playing or while you're listening to it. Keep in mind that you'll need to be running iOS 17 or higher for this feature to work.