How to turn a voice memo into text

Tech Tip

• Feb. 22, 2017

• Home
• Smartphone

• Updated by Juan Herrera
• on April 28, 2022
• | Android, Audio, iPhone, Mobile Apps, Writing Tips

If you are always on the go, you likely want an app that will help you learn how to transcribe voice memos to text. It can be overwhelming to stop and type everything you need to remember, so it is best to stop where you are. Just submit your voice, and wait for the software to finish the transcription process.

How to Transcribe Voice Memos to Text on Mobile - Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide

If you want to learn to transcribe voice memos to text on your mobile device, you can use a third-party app or built-in software. A possible action you can take on Apple and Android devices, as seen in the information provided below.

Transcribe iPhone Voice Memos to Text

There are a few tips you can use to learn to transcribe voice memos to text on iPhones. The most obvious software that lets you engage in this process is the Voice Memo app. This method is not the sole option, however, as seen in the information below.

Transcribe Voice Memos to Text Using the Voice Memos App

As mentioned, the most obvious way to learn how to transcribe voice memos on iPhone devices is to use the Voice Memos app. You will need to open the recording in a separate file to start the transcription process.

Start with the steps below when transcribing audio text on iPhone devices using Voice Memos.

1. Open the Voice Memos app on your iPhone device.

2. Tap on the red button to start recording your voice memo iOS.
3. Press the red button again when you are ready to stop recording.

4. Press the three horizontal dots. 
5. Press the share icon. It resembles an up arrow in a small box.

After you press the share icon, you will have to use one of the third-party apps found in the latter information. The icon related to the software will show up in the list of available options.

Save Audio Messages

Another method you can use when wanting to convert an Apple voice memo to text is to save your audio messages. You can keep those you send to other people or those they text to you.

Again, you will need to use one of the third-party apps provided in the latter information if you want to finalize the transcription process. This method only keeps the initial voice memo iOS.

to start learning to transcribe voice memos to text via audio messages, use the steps provided below.

1. After you send someone an audio message, or someone sends you one, it will show up as a sound bar in the text thread.
2. Click on the sound bar, and you will see a button labeled “Keep.”
3. Press “Keep.”

Sometimes, when using this method to learn how to transcribe voice memos, it is possible that you can accidentally delete an audio message. To prevent this error from happening, use the steps below.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Click on the option labeled “Messages.”

3. Scroll down to the section labeled “Audio Messages.”
4. Click on the “Expire” option.
5. Tap on the word “Never.”

If there is no keep button on your audio messages, there are methods you can use to save them. Learn how to start the process to convert voice memo to text using the steps below.

Before starting the list, do realize that you will need access to a computer.

1. Ensure that you log in to the same iCloud account on an iPhone and on your Mac.
2. To start the process to transcribe voice memos to text using audio messages, open Messages on your Mac.
3. Find the conversation that has the audio message that you want to save.
4. Look for the audio message you want to save to convert voice memo to text.
5. Right-click on the message.
6. Click on “Services.”
7. Press “Show in Finder.”
8. Drag the file from the “Transfers” folder to your desktop.
9. The file will automatically save in a .caf or .amr format.
10. Airdrop the file back to your iPhone.
11. Use one of the provided third-party apps to transcribe the information.

Finally, if you want to save the audio messages that you send, you can use the steps provided below.

1. Open the conversation on your iPhone that has the audio message you want to save to start the process to transcribe voice memos to text.
2. Press and hold the audio message.
3. Wait for the pop-up menu to show up.
4. Tap “More.”
5. Press the icon that resembles the share or save feature. It looks like an up arrow in a box.
6. Type in your personal email address.
7. Wait for the message to show up in your account.
8. Download the file in the way you want it.

Transcribe Android Voice Memos to Text

You can also learn how to transcribe voice memos to text using your Android device. There are only a couple of methods available, as seen in the information below.

Record Your Android Notes

The first way you can learn to transcribe voice memos to text on an Android phone is to record your notes. Start the process using the steps below.

1. Open a note on your Android.
2. If there is a voice recording option available, start recording. If there is no option, you will need to use a third-party app.

3. When you finish recording, tap on the record button again.

4. Press on the word “Share.”

5. Send the voice recording to your email or via text message.

When using this method, you will need to use a third-party app. Upload your voice recording into the software, and wait for the transcription process to complete when learning how to transcribe voice memos.

Use the Google Recorder App

Most Android devices come with the Google app pre-installed. You can use the Recorder app to immediately learn how to transcribe voice memos.

To use this software, you will need to have a Google account. After, your notes will automatically save to the cloud that is accessible through Google Drive.

Google Record has an advanced search function built-in. You can look for specific words and phrases that were in your notes, or you can search via a sound. The possibilities are endless.

Voice Memo to Text Transcribing Apps

1. iTranslate Translator

Pros

• Supports over 100 languages
• Real-time speech-to-text features
• Language translation services
• Camera to translate languages on a menu or other physical document
• Voice conversion mode in the pro version
• Offline mode

Cons

• Paid subscription for the best features
• Offline mode sometimes inaccurate

For most individuals, iTranslate is the most comprehensive free voice memo transcription app. It supports over 100 languages, and you can scan physical copies of text at any time.

If you go to another country, you can easily communicate using the translation services available. If you do not have cellphone service, iTranslate offers an offline version.

iTranslate is also available on a web browser as an extension. Some claim that this version works slower than the original.

There is a paid version of iTranslate available, no matter which version you use. Sign up for the subscription to access some of the best features offered by the mobile app.

2. Google Keep

Pros

• Ability to keep just voice memos
• Real-time speech-to-text notes
• Edit your notes after completion
• Free on a browser, Android, or iOS device

Cons

• Lack of customization features for your text
• Small bugs where notes will not automatically update

Google Keep is a free app that is available on iPhone or Android smartphones. You do have to have a Google account so that your notes will save to the cloud.

If you record a voice memo on Google Keep, the app will automatically convert it to text. The software will automatically keep a copy of your recording at the bottom of the note for your reference.

When learning how to transcribe voice memos using Google Keep, you will appreciate the editing capabilities. Change any errors that show up during the transcription process.

Google Keep allows you to draw or add labels in your notes to further personalize them. This feature lets you keep track of your data with ease.

3. Evernote

Pros

• The ability to keep speech-to-text notes in real-time
• Feature that allows you to handwrite notes
• Free to use with minimal advertisements
• Edit your notes after you complete the transcription process

Cons

• Evernote does not automatically convert voice memos to text. You have to use the speech-to-text feature.

Evernote is a unique app loved by individuals from every walk of life. The original creators of the software made it for business people who need to stay organized with their busy schedules.

Evernote is available for free on any smartphone, whether you need to create audio text on iPhone or Android devices. There are minimal ads that interrupt your thinking process.

Evernote makes you choose between voice memos and speech-to-text notes. It does not automatically save the former in a written text.

Evernote is unique in that it allows you to handwrite notes in the app. After you make any type of document, however, you can edit it to your liking.

4. Dragon Anywhere

Pros

• Well-known name in speech recognition software
• Menu to correct your notes after the transcription process
• App support at any time
• Organize and sort your notes by category or date

Cons

• Price of at least $14.99 per month
• Some bugs that cause the app to freeze or stop working

The Dragon Anywhere app comes from the minds of Dragon Naturally Speaking. The latter is a software program made for computers that individuals love across the globe.

Dragon Anywhere is not available for free, though you can download the mobile app without a cost. When you log in, you have to sign up for a subscription that costs at least $14.99.

Converting your voice memos to text is extremely easy on Dragon Anywhere. If there are errors in the note, use the correction menu to edit.

Some individuals note when using this Android or Apple voice memo to text app that there are some bugs. The team typically fixes these quickly, and there is always support readily available with a third party.

5. ListNote Speech-to-Text

Pros

• Free for the lite mode
• Organize notes by color or category
• Sign up for the pro version for Google Cloud Print features
• Share your notes via text or email

Cons

• Advertisements are constant if you use the free version
• Minor errors when you use the Google Voice search feature

Out of all of the free voice memo transcription apps on this list, ListNote Speech-to-Text is the simplest. You can download it for free on Apple or Android devices, but there are advertisements. ListNote Speech-to-Text is compatible with several languages so that you can translate.

ListNote Speech-to-Text uses Google Voice Search if you want to translate. You may notice minimal errors when you use this feature, but it does work well overall.

This mobile app also allows you to record audio, converting it to text in real-time or after you finish. You can then search the notes, organizing them by color or category.

Transcribing Voice Memos to Text

You should have a better understanding of how to transcribe voice memos to text through Androids and iPhones. You will have to use a third-party app, but you can save information from audio messages or from your notes app. The possibilities are endless when you can start sharing the information available.

The above article may contain affiliate links, which help support Clever Sequence