[2025 Edition] Transcribe iPhone voice memos for free! 5 recommended apps and a complete guide to using them

How to transcribe voice memos on iPhone?

You can easily transcribe audio recorded with your iPhone's Voice Memos for free!

In this article, we will introduce how to transcribe on an iPhone or iPad (iOS) and some recommended AI transcription services and apps that are free to use.

The easiest way to record audio on your iPhone is to use the Voice Memo app .

Voice Memos is a standard app that comes with iOS, so you can use it immediately during meetings, interviews, and other activities.

However, since Voice Memos on iPhone and iPad is a recording-only app, it cannot convert audio into text.

In such cases, we recommend using a free transcription service or app !

The latest AI transcription services and apps can turn long audio files into text in just 10 minutes .

Why not use this article as a reference to smoothly transcribe meetings, interviews, and reports on your iPhone or iPad (iOS)?

[Free & Long-term support] Recommended AI transcription service for iPhone voice memos

If you want to transcribe audio recorded with Voice Memos on your iPhone or iPad (iOS), we recommend "Mr. Transcription" !

"Mr. Transcription" is an AI transcription service that uses the latest AI to convert audio into text with high accuracy .

Long audio files can be quickly transcribed in just 10 minutes.

Since it is a "web app" that you use from your browser , no installation is required and anyone can use it regardless of the performance of their smartphone!

It's very easy to use.

Just upload your voice memo recording!

What's more, "Mr. Transcription" is free to use!

You can transcribe audio files up to three minutes long without having to register or log in , so you can experience the power of the latest AI right away.

Why not try using Mr. Transcription when transcribing audio from your iPhone's voice memos?

What are the two ways to transcribe for free on iPhone/iPad?

There are two ways to transcribe for free on iPhone/iPad (iOS).

• Record with Voice Memos and transcribe with an AI transcription service (app)
• Transcribe with voice input tools

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1. [Recommended] Record with Voice Memos and then transcribe for free

The recommended way to transcribe for free on an iPhone is to record using the Voice Memo app that comes standard with iOS .

Once the recording is complete, the audio file is transcribed using an AI transcription service (app) .

What is the Voice Memo app on iPhone?

iPhones and iPads (iOS) come pre-installed with a voice recording app called Voice Memos .

This "Voice Memo" is a very capable and easy-to-use long-term recording tool.

The operation is easy to understand and the quality of the recorded audio is very good , so you can use it to record meetings, interviews, and reports without having to install a separate app.

You might be worried that using your iPhone to record at work is rude, but don't worry.

iPhone Voice Memos is also widely used by professional interviewers and writers for recording audio.

You need a separate tool (app) to transcribe voice memos

However, the Voice Memos app on the iPhone and iPad is only for recording audio.

Therefore, a separate tool (app) is required to convert audio into text .

We recommend a web app type tool that allows you to transcribe files simply by uploading them from your iPhone!

In this article, we will introduce some recommended free AI transcription services and apps, so why not use it as a reference to find the best transcription method for you?

Standard transcription function available for English

Starting with iOS 18, the iPhone's Voice Memos app now comes with an English transcription feature as standard.

However, it only supports English and cannot transcribe other languages.

For transcribing languages other than English, such as Japanese, we recommend using an AI transcription service (app) that is available for free.

2. Transcribe with a voice input tool

The keyboard on the iPhone and iPad (iOS) comes equipped with a voice input tool as standard .

This is a function that allows you to transcribe what you say into your iPhone's microphone in real time and enter it as text.

With the iPhone keyboard displayed, you can turn on voice input by tapping the microphone icon in the bottom left .

This is a function for entering text, so it is not suitable for transcribing long text.

The voice input tool on iPhone and iPad (iOS) is a feature that allows you to input using your voice instead of using a keyboard .

As an advanced example, you can leave the voice input tool running and enter the transcription content in real time into a notes app or Google Docs app.

However, since this is not the intended use , the voice input often turns off midway, resulting in failed transcription .

The voice input tool is a function that allows you to input text while holding the iPhone in your hand.

It is not suitable for transcribing long periods of time, so to avoid mistakes, it is recommended to use voice memos and an AI transcription service (app) .

[Free and long-lasting] How to use the voice memo app on iPhone and iPad

I've never actually used the iPhone's voice memo feature... I'd like to know how to use it.

From here, we will briefly explain how to use the Voice Memo app on iPhone and iPad (iOS)!

1. Launch the Voice Memo app

First, launch the Voice Memos app on your iPhone .

If you can't find the Voice Memos app, you'll find it in the Utilities folder .

The app is simply called "Voice Memo."

Voice Memo is a standard iOS app and can be used for free .

2. Start recording with Voice Memos

The red circle at the bottom of the Voice Memo app screen is the start recording button.

Press the button to start recording.

3. Display during recording

The length of the recording is displayed on the recording screen.

There is no time limit for voice memos on an iPhone, so you can record for as long as your iPhone has storage capacity.

The Voice Memo app can continue recording even when the screen is locked.

When locked, it will look like this image.

You can also record in the background as long as there are no other apps playing sound.

However, please note that recording will stop if sound is played in another app.

4. Recording complete and saved

Click the stop button at the bottom of the screen to stop recording.

You can check the recorded audio files in a list like this.

You can listen to the content at any time.

The voice memo format for iPhone and iPad is "m4a"

Audio files recorded using the Voice Memo app on an iPhone or iPad (iOS) are saved in "m4a" format .

When converting audio into text using an AI transcription service (app), it is recommended to choose one that supports the m4a format.

No conversion is required, so you can simply upload it directly from your iPhone for easy and smooth transcription.

Tips for long-term recording with Voice Memos on iPhone and iPad

There are a few things to keep in mind when recording for long periods of time using the Voice Memo app on your iPhone.

Turn on airplane mode before starting recording

The thing you need to be most careful about when using voice memos on an iPhone or iPad (iOS) is failure due to incoming phone calls.

If you receive a phone call while recording a voice memo on your iPhone, the call will take priority and the recording will stop.

To avoid this mistake, we recommend putting your iPhone into airplane mode before you start recording.

This is something you should pay particular attention to when recording long periods of time for work, such as meetings, reports, or interviews.

[Free] 5 recommended apps for transcribing voice memos on iPhone

What's the best app for transcribing voice memos?

If you want to transcribe voice memos on your iPhone or iPad (iOS) easily and smoothly, a free AI transcription service or app is ideal.

Introducing some recommended services and apps!

1. Mr. Transcription (free web app, long-term support)

We recommend "Mr. Transcription" for transcribing voice memos on your iPhone or iPad!

"Mr. Transcription" is a web app that allows anyone to easily transcribe voice memos on their iPhone or iPad.

Once you open the page here , you can simply upload your file to transcribe .

Using the latest high-performance AI, transcription of even long audio files can be completed in just 10 minutes.

It supports m4a files , so all you have to do is upload the file from your iPhone .

Another plus is that it is a service made in Japan , so you can use it with confidence.

It supports 100 languages, so you can convert a wide range of recorded audio into text, including Japanese, English, Korean, and Chinese.

Recommended free web apps

What's more, you can use "Mr. Transcription" for free !

You can transcribe files up to three minutes long without registering or logging in , so you can experience the high performance of the latest AI right away.

Even if you need to transcribe a long file, the ultra-low rate of just 25 yen per hour makes it ideal for jobs such as meetings, interviews, and other such work.

If you want to transcribe your iPhone voice memos, why not try Mr. Transcription ?

[Long durations are OK] How to use "Mr. Transcription"

Here's a simple explanation of how to transcribe audio recorded with the iPhone's Voice Memos app using Mr. Transcription .

*This explanation will be given using Safari on iOS18.

1. Save to a voice memo file

First, to upload an audio file, save the file you recorded with Voice Memos to the "Files" folder on your iPhone .

In the Voice Memos app, tap "..." to the right of the file you want to save.

Tap Share .

The save menu will open, so scroll down a bit.

Select "Save to File" .

The Files app will open, so select a folder and save it .

2. Open the "Mr. Transcription" page

This link will take you to the "Mr. Transcription" page .

3. Select the audio file

Scroll down a bit and tap "Select" on the file upload screen .

This will open a browser menu, so tap "Choose file" .

The file selection screen will open, so select the audio file you recorded with Voice Memo.

4. Upload your audio file

Once you have selected the audio file, tap the "Transcribe" button.

The file upload will begin.

Once uploaded, the transcription process will begin automatically.

If you want to use the service without registering or logging in, just leave this screen open and wait.

If you log in and use a paid plan to transcribe a long audio file, you can simply close the screen once the upload is complete.

You will be notified by email once processing is complete.

5. Transcription complete!

If you keep the screen open, once transcription is complete it will switch to show you the transcription results .

If you have closed the screen once, please click the link in the transcription completion email or

Select "History" from the menu on the "Mr. Transcription" page,

Check the transcription results.

In this way, you can convert the contents recorded in Voice Memo into text.

"Mr. Transcription" makes it super easy to transcribe iPhone voice memos!

You can easily convert even long audio recordings into text .

Why not try using Mr. Transcription to transcribe your voice memos using AI?

2. Speechy Lite (iOS app that you can install and use)

If you're looking for an iOS app to install and use on your iPhone or iPad, we recommend Speechy Lite .

Speechy Lite is an app that allows you to import audio recorded with your iPhone's Voice Memos and transcribe it .

This app was created by a Chinese developer and also supports foreign languages.

It also has a real-time transcription feature.

It is free to use, but as the "Lite" name suggests, it has limited functionality and cannot transcribe long periods of text.

If you want to transcribe longer files, you will need to purchase the paid version.

3. SoundType AI

SoundType AI is an app that can be installed on your iPhone or iPad to transcribe text .

You can upload audio files and transcribe them into text.

For longer transcriptions, you will need to sign up for a paid plan, which comes with two plans: Pro and Business.

4. Notta (Audio transcription service)

Notta is a service that can read voice memo audio files and transcribe them .

You can import audio files from your iPhone's voice memos via the management screen and convert them into text.

You can use it for free, but if you want to use it for a long time, you will need to sign up for a paid plan.

5. Texter (Transcription app for iOS and Android)

Texter is an AI transcription app for iPhone (iOS) and Android .

It is specialized for smartphone apps and can read voice memo audio files and convert them into text .

Another feature is that it is compatible not only with iPhone and iPad (iOS), but also with Apple Watch.

You can try it for free for a short period of time, but if you want to transcribe longer periods of time, you will need to sign up for a paid plan.

■ AI transcription service "Mr. Transscription"

"Mr. Transcription" is an online transcription tool that can be used from zero initial cost and 1,000 yen per month (* free version available).

• Supports more than 20 file formats such as audio, video, and images
• Can be used from both PC and smartphone
• Supports technical terms such as medical care, IT, and long-term care
• Supports creation of subtitle files and speaker separation
• Supports transcription in approximately 100 languages ​​including English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, German, French, Italian, etc.

To use it, just upload the audio file from the site. Transcription text is available in seconds to tens of minutes.
You can use it for free if you transcribe it for up to 10 minutes, so please try it once.

It is "Mr. Transcription" who can easily transcribe from audio, video, and images. Transcription allows you to transcribe for up to 10 minutes for free. You can copy, download, search, delete, etc. the transcribed text. You can also create subtitle files, which is ideal for transcription of interview videos.

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