Spiik

How-to guide

How to transcribe a voice memo on iPhone

By Rony Fadel, founder of Spiik. Updated November 7, 2026.

The short answer

On iOS 18 or later, open the recording in Voice Memos, tap •••, and choose View Transcript or Copy Transcript. Apple's transcript is free on iPhone 12 or later, in 10 languages and in supported countries or regions. If your memo is in another language, has several speakers, or needs to become notes or subtitles, share it to Spiik instead: tap •••, then Share, pick Spiik, choose the language and tap Transcribe.

Transcribe a voice memo with Spiik

  1. Open the Voice Memos app and tap the recording.
  2. Tap •••, then Share.
  3. Pick Spiik in the share menu. If you don't see it, scroll to the end of the row of apps and tap More.
  4. Choose the language spoken in the recording and tap Transcribe. Turn on Translation to also get the transcript in another language.
  5. When it finishes, tap AI Tools for notes, a summary or a quiz, or tap share to export text, PDF, SRT or VTT.

How do I transcribe a voice memo on iPhone for free?

Voice Memos has transcribed recordings since iOS 18. Apple lists the feature on iPhone 12 or later, in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified and Traditional Chinese, and notes that it isn't available in every country or region.

  1. Open the Voice Memos app and tap the recording.
  2. Tap •••.
  3. Choose View Transcript to read it and select part of the text, or Copy Transcript to copy all of it.
  4. Paste the text into Notes, Mail or any other app.

You can also watch the transcript appear while you record, and search your memos for words in their transcripts. For what the built-in transcript does and doesn't do, read does Voice Memos transcribe?

When to use Spiik instead

Use Spiik when your memo is in a language Apple doesn't cover, has more than one speaker, or needs to become something else. Spiik transcribes in more than 100 languages with speaker labels, makes notes, summaries, quizzes and flashcards from the transcript, and exports TXT, PDF, SRT or VTT. See the full Spiik and Voice Memos comparison.

Frequently asked questions

Can iPhone transcribe voice memos automatically?

Yes, on iOS 18 or later. Voice Memos transcribes recordings on iPhone 12 or later in 10 languages, in supported countries or regions. Open a recording, tap •••, and choose View Transcript.

Why don't I see View Transcript in Voice Memos?

Apple's transcript needs iOS 18 or later, an iPhone 12 or later, speech in one of the 10 supported languages, and a supported country or region. If one of these is missing, share the memo to a transcription app such as Spiik.

Can I transcribe a voice memo in another language, or translate it?

Yes, with Spiik. It transcribes in more than 100 languages. Turn on Translation before you tap Transcribe to also get the transcript in another language.

Is it free to transcribe a voice memo with Spiik?

The free version records with no time limit, keeps up to 10 recordings and transcribes the first 60 seconds of each. Spiik Pro unlocks full transcripts and AI tools, and the yearly plan starts with a 7-day free trial.

Why don't I see Spiik in the share menu?

Scroll to the end of the row of apps in the share menu and tap More. Make sure Spiik is installed and up to date.

Keep reading

Your next recording starts here.

Spiik is an AI voice recorder and transcription app for iPhone, iPad and Mac, made by Fadel.io OÜ in Estonia. It records, transcribes and translates in 100+ languages, labels speakers, and turns a recording into notes, summaries, quizzes, flashcards and mind maps. It has 4.5 stars from 20,000+ App Store ratings worldwide. Spiik Pro costs $49.99 a year with a 7-day free trial, or $9.99 a month, in the US.

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