How to transcribe Voice Memos on iPhone, and what to do when you can't

Apple added transcripts to Voice Memos, so for a quick look you may not need anything else. This guide shows how to find the built-in transcript, why it sometimes doesn't appear, and what to do when you need more than it offers. To upload a memo straight away, see voice memo to text.

Show the transcript in Voice Memos

1. Open Voice Memos and tap the recording.
2. Look for the transcript: depending on your iOS version, it's View Transcript in the ⋯ menu, or the speech-bubble icon after you tap Edit Recording.
3. Scroll the text while the recording plays.

To keep the text, select it and copy it into Notes, Mail or a document.

A long or older recording may take a moment to transcribe the first time you open it.

What the built-in transcript can't do

The Voice Memos transcript is quick and private, but it has limits:

• Newer iPhones only. Apple lists the supported models; older iPhones don't show a transcript.
• Some languages and regions only. If your language isn't on Apple's list, the option doesn't appear.
• No speaker names. It's one block of text, so an interview or meeting is hard to follow.
• No subtitle or Word file. You can copy the text, but not download SRT, VTT or a formatted document.

For a two-minute reminder to yourself, that's fine. For an interview, a lecture or a meeting, it often isn't.

Voice Memos transcript not showing? Check these

• Your iPhone model. If your iPhone is older than the models Apple lists, there's no transcript option.
• Your iOS version. Update in Settings › General › Software Update.
• The language. Transcripts follow the iPhone's language and region. A memo in a language Apple doesn't support won't be transcribed, even if the phone is set to English.
• Give it time. A long memo can take a while the first time you open its transcript.
• "Couldn't transcribe audio". Try again later, and make sure the phone has space free. Some people report that duplicating the memo (⋯ › Duplicate) and opening the copy helps.
• Synced memos. A memo recorded on another device may need to finish syncing before a transcript appears.

Save voice memos as a file

To transcribe a memo elsewhere, first get the audio file out:

1. In Voice Memos, tap the recording, then ⋯ › Share.
2. Choose Save to Files, AirDrop it to a Mac, or email it to yourself.

Voice memos are saved as M4A files. You can upload them as they are. If another app won't play them, the free M4A to MP3 converter converts them in your browser without uploading anything.

Transcribe voice memos with speaker names

1. Open Allnote on the go on your iPhone or computer and choose the M4A file. Several memos? Select up to 20 at once.
2. Pick the language spoken, including languages Voice Memos doesn't transcribe, such as Urdu. See the languages page.
3. Read the free preview and check names and terms.
4. Pay for the file, or use credits from a pack.
5. Rename "Speaker 1" and "Speaker 2", then download Word, TXT, SRT or VTT, or copy the text.

Recording voice memos that transcribe well

• Place the iPhone within arm's length of whoever is speaking.
• Record in a quiet room. Curtains, carpets and sofas reduce echo.
• For an interview, put the phone between you and the other person, not in front of you.
• Make a 10-second test and play it back before a long recording.
• Rename the memo straight after recording, so you can find it later.

Built-in transcript or upload?

Privacy

Files are deleted 7 days after the transcript is ready, or straight away when you click Delete. Uploads you don't pay for are deleted after 24 hours. Your voice memos are never used to train AI.

What it costs

There's no subscription. You pay for each file, or use credits that never expire.

Questions

Written with AI help.