In this guide
On a supported iPhone, open the recording in Voice Memos, tap More, and choose View Transcript or Copy Transcript. Paste the text into a document and check it against the audio; availability depends on device, language and region.
To transcribe a Voice Memo on a compatible iPhone, open Voice Memos, tap the recording, tap the More button, and choose View Transcript to read and copy selected text or Copy Transcript to copy it all. Paste the text into Notes or another document and compare it with the original audio.
Apple says Voice Memos transcription is available on iPhone 12 and later in supported languages and is not available in every country or region. The controls can vary by software version. See Apple's current Voice Memos transcription instructions for availability and menu details.
View and copy a transcript after recording
- Open the recording. In Voice Memos, tap the saved memo that contains speech. Keep the recording available so you can check uncertain words later.
- Open the More menu. Tap View Transcript to read the text. Select a passage and tap Copy, or choose Copy Transcript from the recording's More menu to copy all available text.
- Paste into a document. Open Notes, a text document or another app, tap where the text should go, and paste. Save the document with a name that identifies the source recording.
- Review alongside playback. Listen again and correct names, numbers, punctuation and speech overlaps. A copied transcript is a draft, not a verified record.
Apple notes that a recording made in an older version of Voice Memos can be transcribed when opened if it contains recorded speech and the feature is available. Allow time for the transcript to appear rather than assuming that an older recording is excluded.
See words while recording
Start a new recording in Voice Memos, swipe up from the top of the waveform, and tap the transcription button. Apple says the transcript appears as speech is recorded; tap the button again to return to the waveform. Finish and save the recording when done, then review the words in the saved transcript. This is a live view of the current recording, not proof that every word has been recognized correctly.
Why is the transcript option missing?
| Check | What to do |
|---|---|
| iPhone and software | Apple lists iPhone 12 or later for this feature. Check the current Apple instructions and your installed iOS version; menu layouts may differ. |
| Language and region | Apple lists supported languages in its guide and says availability varies by country or region. Check its current list rather than assuming every language is supported. |
| Recording content | The feature transcribes speech in a Voice Memos recording. Open the intended memo and listen for audible speech; music or effects alone will not produce a meaningful spoken transcript. |
| An external audio file | An MP3 or WAV stored in Files is a different starting point. Do not assume it can be inserted into Voice Memos for transcription; use a transcription method that accepts the actual file. |
For a recording already saved as a file, the audio-to-text guide compares other workflows, including Word's upload feature and manual transcription. Check each service's current file, subscription and privacy requirements before submitting a recording.
Make the transcript more useful
Listen to a sentence at a time and correct the text as you go. Pay particular attention to names, technical terms, addresses, dates, negations and numbers: a single incorrect word can change the meaning. If two people speak at once, replay the overlap and label uncertain phrases instead of guessing who said them.
Keep the original recording and the edited document together under clear names. For an interview, add speaker labels and timestamps only after checking them against the audio. The interview transcription guide offers a review workflow. Share or upload recordings and transcripts only when you have the necessary permission.
Can audio cleanup improve a transcript?
Starting with a closer microphone and a quieter recording location can make speech easier to hear. If a saved recording contains distracting background sound, compare the original with a carefully processed copy before using a separate transcription service. Source separation is an estimate and can leave noise or alter words; check both versions rather than assuming cleaner-sounding audio gives a more accurate transcript.
Saturalabs does not generate transcripts. Its voice isolator is a separate audio tool: supported local MP3, WAV, MP4 and MOV files can be uploaded up to 50 MiB, and AI WAV downloads require an account and sufficient credits. A default Voice Memos M4A needs a compatible conversion first; use the M4A-to-WAV tool within its separate size and duration limits if appropriate.
Common questions
Can I copy only part of a Voice Memo transcript?
Yes, where the feature is available. Apple describes opening View Transcript, selecting the desired text and tapping Copy. Paste it into a document and verify the excerpt in context.
Is the transcription the same as an audio file?
No. The transcript is text representing detected speech. Keep the original audio for tone, speaker context and checking words the transcription may have missed.
Can I use it for an older Voice Memo?
Apple says recordings made with iOS 17 or earlier can be transcribed when opened if they contain recorded speech and the feature is available on the device. Check the resulting text against playback.