What is the best way to turn voice memos into text on an iPhone?
If you have an iPhone 12 or later on iOS 18 or newer, open the memo in Voice Memos and view its transcript, which is built in. If you want summaries, more languages, export or a searchable library, save the memo to Files and import it into Transcribe, which transcribes it on your iPhone.
Download Transcribe on the App Store
How the options compare
- Voice Memos transcript (built in): Apple's guide says transcription is available on iPhone 12 or later in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, German, Japanese, Korean and Chinese, and not in all countries or regions. You can view or copy the transcript, and search matches transcript text. It is free and needs no extra app.
- Transcribe (import the memo): In Voice Memos, tap Share and choose Save to Files. In Transcribe, tap Import Audio and pick the file. Importing is free and unlimited, and the file is transcribed on your iPhone.
- Cloud transcription services such as Otter: Otter lists import of pre-recorded audio and video files. On its pricing page the free Basic plan allows 3 lifetime imports; plans change, so check the current page. Audio is collected by the service, per its privacy policy.
Where Transcribe fits
Transcribe is the better fit when a memo is more than a note to self: a long interview or meeting, a language Voice Memos does not cover, or a recording you want in a library with folders, tags and full-text search. Words highlight in time with the audio as it plays.
Free includes the transcript of every imported file. Pro adds export to PDF and subtitle files, sharing the original audio, encrypted backup and extra transcription languages. On an Apple Intelligence iPhone, Pro also adds summaries with action items and Ask AI.
Limits: Transcribe does not label speakers. It can only import files it can decode, so some formats are refused with a message. WhatsApp and Telegram voice notes use the Ogg/Opus format, which Transcribe does not support today.
What it costs
Transcribe is free to download. Unlimited recordings, with no time limit, and full on-device transcription are free. Pro adds export, encrypted backup, marking moments, more transcription languages and, on Apple Intelligence devices, AI summaries, action items and Ask AI. Plans and prices are shown in the app and on the App Store page, and vary by region. Prices from the US App Store, checked 2026-11-04; they vary by region.
Quick answers
How do I get a voice memo into Transcribe?
In Voice Memos tap Share, then Save to Files. In Transcribe tap Import Audio and choose the file.
Is importing free?
Yes. Importing audio files is free and unlimited, with no gating.
Can Transcribe transcribe WhatsApp or Telegram voice notes?
Not today. Those apps use Ogg/Opus audio, which Transcribe cannot decode, so the import is refused with a message.
Is the memo uploaded anywhere?
No. Transcribe transcribes on your device and does not upload recordings or transcripts.
More questions about Transcribe
- How do I transcribe a lecture on my iPhone, even without Wi-Fi?
- How can I transcribe a meeting privately, without uploading the audio?
- What is the best way to record and transcribe an interview on iPhone?
- Is there an iPhone app that summarizes meetings and lists the to-dos?
- How do I transcribe the audio of a video on my iPhone?
- Is there a transcription app that never uploads my audio and works offline?
Full details: Transcribe app page · all answers