How to Transcribe Audio and Video on Your iPhone (Including Voice Memos)

Your iPhone is probably the device you use most to capture life and work:

• Voice Memos from meetings and ideas

• Interviews, lectures, and consultations

• Video recordings for social media or training

• Quick audio notes you don’t have time to type

Turning all that into searchable text makes everything easier: you can scan, quote, and reuse content instead of replaying it over and over.

In this guide, you’ll learn practical ways to transcribe audio and video on your iPhone, including Voice Memos, using a mix of built-in features, AI tools, and professional human transcription.

We’ll cover:

1. What you need before you start

2. Built-in iPhone options (good for quick personal use)

3. Using AI transcription tools with Voice Memos and videos

4. 100% human-made transcription with GoTranscript

5. Which method to choose

6. Tips for better recordings and better transcripts

7. Frequently asked questions

1. What You Need Before You Start

Before you begin transcribing on your iPhone, make sure you have:

• Enough storage space
  Audio and especially video files can be large. Free up space if needed.

• Stable internet connection
  Needed for most AI tools and professional transcription services.

• Your recordings ready

  • Voice Memos saved in the Voice Memos app

  • Videos in the Photos app

  • Or files stored in Files, iCloud Drive, Google Drive, etc.

• A notes or documents app
  Notes, Pages, Google Docs, or any text editor where you’ll store and edit final transcripts.

Optional but useful:

• Headphones – to listen back and correct transcripts without disturbing others.

• An external microphone – for better recording quality, especially in noisy environments.

2. Method 1 – Built-In iPhone Options (Good for Quick Personal Transcripts)

iPhones include several features that can help you get rough transcripts without installing anything. These are best for personal use, not for polished, client-ready documents.

2.1. Transcribing Short Voice Memos with Dictation in Notes

If you just need a quick text version of a short Voice Memo, you can “re-speak” the memo into Dictation.

1. Open the Voice Memos app.

2. Play your recording through the speaker or on another device (for best results, play it on a second device and hold your iPhone close, so the mic only picks up the audio).

3. On your iPhone, open the Notes app and create a new note.

4. Tap in the note to bring up the keyboard.

5. Tap the microphone icon on the keyboard to start Dictation.

6. As the recording plays, Dictation will convert what it hears into text.

7. When finished, tap the microphone again to stop and then edit the text.

This method is simple but works best for:

• Clear, slow speech

• Short memos or snippets

• Personal summaries

Expect to fix punctuation and some words afterwards.

2.2. Using Built-In Transcriptions for Audio Messages and Voicemails (Where Available)

Depending on your iOS version and region, certain audio content on your iPhone may show automatic transcriptionsdirectly in the interface, such as:

• Audio messages in your messaging apps (e.g., voice messages that show text underneath)

• Voicemail previews that show a text version of the message

You can often:

1. Open the conversation or phone app.

2. Find the audio message or voicemail.

3. Look underneath for automatically generated text, if available.

4. Select and copy the text to paste into Notes or another app.

These quick transcriptions are convenient, but:

• They are meant for reading at a glance, not as finalized documents.

• Accuracy can vary a lot.

• They’re not ideal for long recordings or professional use.

2.3. Using Accessibility Captions (Where Available)

On some iPhones, accessibility features can show live captions for media or calls. These are great if you need to understand what’s being said, but they’re not designed as full transcription tools.

You can:

• Enable the relevant Accessibility features in Settings.

• Play audio or video and watch the captions live.

• Manually copy or type parts of the text you need into Notes.

This is handy for short clips or when you need a rough idea of what’s being said.

3. Method 2 – Using AI Transcription Tools with Voice Memos and Videos

For longer recordings or better automation, AI transcription is a big step up from manual Dictation. Many tools work directly from your iPhone using the browser or dedicated apps.

3.1. Preparing Voice Memos for AI Transcription

1. Open Voice Memos.

2. Find the recording you want to transcribe.

3. Tap the recording, then tap the share icon.

4. Choose how you want to share it:

   • Save to Files (to upload later from the Files app)

   • Share directly to a transcription app if it appears in the share menu

Once the audio is in Files or a compatible app, you can use any online AI transcription service.

3.2. Preparing Videos for AI Transcription

1. Open the Photos app.

2. Select the video you want to transcribe.

3. Tap the share icon.

4. Choose Save to Files or send it to an app that accepts video uploads.

Some transcription tools will accept video directly and extract the audio automatically.

3.3. Typical AI Transcription Workflow on iPhone

Whether you use Voice Memos or video:

1. Open your browser or the transcription app on your iPhone.

2. Choose the option to upload a file.

3. Select your audio/video from Files or your camera roll.

4. Choose the language and any options (timestamps, speaker labels if supported).

5. Let the AI process your file.

6. When it’s done, copy or download the transcript.

7. Open the transcript in Notes, Pages, or Docs and proofread it.

Pros of AI transcription:
– Fast and usually inexpensive
– Works directly from your iPhone

Cons:
– Mistakes with names, accents, technical terms, and numbers
– Struggles with noise, overlapping speech, or low-quality audio
– You must carefully review and fix errors

AI is perfect if you need a draft and are willing to edit the text yourself.

4. Method 3 – 100% Human-Made Transcription on iPhone with GoTranscript

When you’re dealing with important recordings – client work, research, legal, medical, or corporate content – you usually need more than a rough AI draft.

This is where 100% human-made transcription services like GoTranscript make a big difference. You can handle everything right from your iPhone, but real people produce the transcript.

4.1. When Human Transcription Is the Better Choice

Human transcription is ideal when:

• You have interviews, focus groups, or user research

• Content includes specialized terminology (medical, legal, technical)

• Audio quality is less than perfect or there’s background noise

• Multiple people are speaking, sometimes over each other

• You need high accuracy for reports, publications, or clients

• You want subtitles or captions (not just plain text) for your videos

4.2. How to Use GoTranscript from Your iPhone

1. Get your files ready

   • For audio: export Voice Memos via the share button to Files.

   • For video: save videos from Photos to Files or keep them in Photos if your workflow supports direct upload.

2. Open your browser on iPhone

   • Visit the GoTranscript website.

   • Sign in to your account or create a new one.

3. Place a transcription order

   • Choose Transcription (or subtitles/captions if that’s what you need).

   • Upload your audio or video file from Files or your photo library.

   • Select the language, turnaround time, and any extras (timestamps, verbatim style, speaker labels).

4. Let the human team handle the work

   • Professional transcribers listen to your file.

   • Editors review the transcript for accuracy and formatting.

5. Download your transcript

   • When it’s finished, log in from your iPhone.

   • Download the transcript in your preferred format (Word, text, subtitle files).

   • Save it to Files, open it in your documents app, or share it with clients and teammates.

Key benefits of using GoTranscript from your iPhone:
– No need to move files to a computer
– Human-level accuracy, even with difficult audio
– Ready-to-use transcripts and subtitles, not just rough drafts

5. Which Method Should You Choose?

Here’s a quick comparison to help you pick the right workflow on your iPhone:

Ask yourself:

• Is this just for me to understand and search?
  → Dictation or AI is usually enough.

• Will I share this with clients, publish it, or rely on it in reports?
  → Use human transcription so you don’t worry about hidden errors.

6. Tips for Better iPhone Recordings (and Better Transcripts)

Better input = better output, no matter which transcription method you choose.

1. Record in a quiet place

   • Avoid wind, loud air conditioning, and crowded cafés.

   • If you must record in noise, get closer to the speaker.

2. Hold your iPhone correctly

   • Keep the microphone unobstructed.

   • Aim the bottom edge (where the mic is) toward the person speaking.

3. Use an external microphone when possible

   • Lapel mics or wired earbuds with a mic can dramatically improve clarity.

4. Test your setup

   • Record a 10–20 second sample and play it back before starting the real session.

5. Introduce speakers at the beginning

   • For interviews or meetings, have each person say their name once at the start.

   • This makes speaker labeling easier later.

6. Back up your files

   • Save important recordings to iCloud Drive, Google Drive, or another cloud storage.

   • Don’t rely on a single device.

7. Respect privacy and law

   • Always inform and get consent from people you record, especially for calls.

   • Laws differ by region, so make sure you’re compliant.

7. Frequently Asked Questions

Can I automatically transcribe Voice Memos directly inside the app?

iPhone’s Voice Memos app focuses on recording and editing audio, not full text transcription. To get a transcript, you’ll usually need to:

• Use Dictation in Notes while you play the memo,

• Or export the Voice Memo and upload it to an AI or human transcription service.

Can I transcribe phone calls recorded on my iPhone?

iPhones don’t offer built-in call recording, and call recording laws vary widely. If you do record calls using third-party methods, always check local laws and get clear consent from everyone involved. Once you have a legal recording, you can upload it like any other audio for transcription.

Is there a completely free way to transcribe on iPhone?

You can use:

• Dictation in Notes to re-speak recordings

• Built-in short transcriptions for some audio messages or voicemails

• Free tiers of some AI tools (often with limits)

However, these options usually require more manual cleanup and come with lower accuracy than paid AI or human transcription services.

Can I get subtitles for videos filmed on my iPhone?

Yes. Once you export the video, you can send it to a transcription and captioning provider. They can return subtitle filesyou can attach to your videos on platforms or embed into the video.