You can record and transcribe on an iPhone using built-in features like the Voice Memos app, or with third-party transcription tools that turn your recordings into text. Whether you need accurate meeting notes, lecture transcripts, or captions for video, your iPhone makes it easy to go from recording to transcription in just a few steps.
How to Record Audio on iPhone for Transcription
If you want a quick and easy way to capture audio on your iPhone, the Voice Memos app is your best friend. It comes pre-installed on all iPhones and is tucked away inside the Utilities folder—though you can move it to your home screen for faster access.
Start a Recording
- Open the Voice Memos app.
- Tap the red record button to begin recording.
- To adjust volume quality, simply move your iPhone closer to or farther from the sound source.
- Tap the stop button when you’re done.
That’s it—your audio is instantly saved in the app.
Rename and Organize Your Recordings
By default, new recordings are saved with the name “New Recording” or sometimes your location name (if you’ve enabled Location Services in Settings > Privacy & Security). To rename a file:
- Tap the recording.
- Tap the name.
- Enter a new title that helps you find it later.
Privacy Tip
Whenever the microphone is active, you’ll see a small orange dot at the top of your iPhone’s screen. This is iOS’s built-in privacy indicator, letting you know your mic is being used.
You can also use third-party recording apps like VOMO if you need advanced features like noise reduction or direct audio to text conversion.
How to Transcribe iPhone Recordings into Text
Once you’ve recorded your audio, you can transcribe it using these tools
Transcribing Recordings with the Voice Memos App
The Voice Memos app on iPhone doesn’t just capture audio—it can also turn your recordings into text with Apple’s built-in transcription feature. Here’s how it works:
- Record your audio using the Voice Memos app as usual.
- Once saved, tap the three dots (…) next to your recording.
- From the menu, choose “Transcript.”
- Apple’s transcription service will automatically convert your audio to text.
- You can then view, copy, or share the transcript directly from the app.
This makes it incredibly easy to go from audio to text without downloading any extra apps or services—perfect for meeting notes, interviews, or quick reminders.
Using Third-party transcription apps like VOMO for higher accuracy
While Apple’s built-in transcription is convenient, it may not always deliver the accuracy or flexibility you need—especially for longer recordings, multiple speakers, or non-English content. That’s where third-party transcription apps like VOMO come in.
Most tools let you export the text to Notes, Google Docs, or email for easy sharing.
How to Record and Transcribe iPhone Videos
If you want to turn a video into text, just open VOMO and upload the video, and it will automatically transcribe it into written text.
This is especially useful for interviews, presentations, or content creation where both visuals and transcripts are needed.
Best Apps for iPhone Recording and Transcription
Here are some recommended apps to streamline the process:
- Voice Memos – free, built-in audio recorder.
- VOMO – third-party app that handles both recording and accurate transcription.
- Otter.ai – great for meetings and lectures.
- Rev – professional human-verified transcripts for maximum accuracy.
Why Use Transcription on iPhone?
Recording and transcribing on your iPhone saves time, improves accessibility, and helps you keep a reliable record of meetings, lectures, or creative ideas. Whether you need searchable transcripts, captions, or polished notes, your iPhone can handle it all.
