Yes, iPhone can transcribe voice memos, but it depends on the tools and methods you use. While Apple’s built-in Voice Memos app does not provide automatic transcription by default, you can enable transcription through third-party apps, Siri Dictation, or by exporting your recordings to services that specialize in turning audio to text.
How to Transcribe Voice Memos on iPhone
There are several ways to convert voice memos into readable text:
Transcribe Voice Memos Using iPhone’s Live Voice Feature
iPhones running iOS 17 and later offer improved Dictation and Live Voice features. Here’s how you can transcribe voice memos without extra software:
- Record a memo in the Voice Memos app.
- Share the audio to the Notes app.
- Use Dictation to automatically convert your audio to text.
This works best for short clips or clear recordings, as the built-in tool may struggle with background noise or overlapping speech.
User Complaints About iOS 17 Dictation Accuracy
But Most users feel that iOS 17 dictation has gotten worse, with more recognition errors, random punctuation, and entire words or sentences being replaced or deleted, making editing harder than just typing. Some even described it as “garbage,” especially frustrating for those who rely on dictation, while a few noted improvements on their own devices.
If you encounter the above issues, you can also use third-party transcription apps.
Export to Third-Party Apps to transcribe Voice Memo
Apps like VOMO can automatically transcribe recordings with high accuracy.
iCloud Transfer
Sync your voice memos to a computer and process them with transcription software.
This flexibility makes iPhone a convenient choice for professionals, students, and anyone who needs quick transcription.
Best Apps to Transcribe Voice Memos on iPhone
While iPhone doesn’t have a native transcription button in Voice Memos, these apps can make the process seamless:
- Otter.ai – Known for accuracy and live transcription.
- Rev – Human-verified transcription for higher precision.
- Notta – Easy sync with Voice Memos and cloud storage.
- VOMO – Designed for instant transcription and summarization of recordings.
These tools also support different file formats, allowing you to transcribe video to text along with audio files.
Tips for Getting More Accurate Transcriptions on iPhone
To improve your iPhone transcription results:
- Speak clearly and avoid overlapping voices.
- Use an external microphone for better sound quality.
- Keep background noise to a minimum.
- Review and edit transcripts to correct AI misinterpretations.
Why Transcribe Voice Memos on iPhone?
Transcribing voice memos helps in many scenarios:
- Meetings & Lectures – Capture spoken content without missing details.
- Interviews & Research – Quickly convert discussions into structured notes.
- Accessibility – Supports people with hearing difficulties.
- Productivity – Speeds up content creation, report writing, and studying.
Having transcription available on iPhone means you don’t need extra recording devices or manual note-taking.
Final Thoughts
Although the iPhone’s native Voice Memos app does not automatically transcribe recordings, you can easily turn them into text with Siri Dictation or third-party apps. By integrating smart transcription tools, your iPhone becomes a powerful assistant for converting voice into searchable, editable text.
