Transcribing voice memos can be a great way to turn spoken words into text, making it easier to review notes, interviews, or meetings. Apple’s “Voice Memos” app offers an automatic transcription feature that works seamlessly on both Mac and iPhone. However, this feature is only available in certain languages and regions, and some users may encounter issues where transcription isn’t accessible.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to use Apple’s built-in transcription tool and introduce alternative third-party solutions for when the native option falls short.
Convert Voice Memo to Text with Built-in Feature
Apple’s automatic transcription feature can make your life much easier if you’re using a supported device and language. Here’s how you can use it:
On iPhone:
- Open the “Voice Memos” app.
- Tap on the memo you want to transcribe.
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to reveal additional options.
- Tap “Show Transcript” to see the automatically generated text.
On Mac:
- Launch the “Voice Memos” app from your Applications folder.
- Select the memo you wish to transcribe.
- Click on the “i” info icon next to the memo title.
- If available, click “Show Transcript” to view the transcription.
While this method is straightforward and convenient, it has limitations. Not all devices support this feature, and it might not work for non-supported languages. Additionally, some users report encountering issues where the transcription option is simply not available. For these cases, let’s explore some third-party alternatives.
Transcribe Voice Memos with Third-Party Tools
When Apple’s native transcription feature isn’t available or doesn’t meet your needs, there are several third-party tools that can help. Below are recommendations tailored for Mac and iPhone users.
For Mac Users:
- Temi:
Temi is a web-based service that offers fast and accurate transcription services. It supports multiple languages and provides timestamps, speaker identification, and more.
How to Use Temi:
- Go to the Temi website and create an account.
- Upload your audio file directly from your Mac.
- Choose the desired output format (e.g., TXT, DOCX).
- Wait for the transcription to process and download the result.
- Otter.ai:
Otter.ai is another powerful online transcription tool that stands out for its accuracy and ease of use. It integrates well with various platforms and offers collaboration features.
How to Use Otter.ai:
- Sign up at Otter.ai and log in.
- Click on “New Note” and then “Upload” to add your audio file.
- Select the file from your Mac and wait for the transcription to complete.
- Review and edit the transcript within the app or export it as needed.
For iPhone Users:
- Rev Speech-to-Text:
Rev offers a dedicated mobile app that allows you to upload audio files and receive transcriptions quickly. The app also supports live transcription for real-time note-taking.
How to Use Rev Speech-to-Text:
- Download and install the Rev app from the App Store.
- Create an account or log in if you already have one.
- Tap “+” to upload a voice memo or record a new one.
- Once processed, review the transcription and make any necessary edits.
- Trint:
Trint is a versatile tool that combines speech recognition technology with human editing for high-quality transcriptions. It’s especially useful for interviews and podcasts.
How to Use Trint:
- Install the Trint app on your iPhone.
- Sign up or log in to access your dashboard.
- Import your audio file from iCloud or another source.
- Let Trint process the file and then refine the transcript using the editor.
Conclusion
Transcribing voice memos can be incredibly useful for organizing thoughts, referencing important information, or creating written records. While Apple’s built-in transcription feature is convenient for supported devices and languages, third-party tools like Temi, Otter.ai, Rev Speech-to-Text, and Trint offer robust alternatives. These services cater to different needs, whether you require quick turnaround times, multi-language support, or detailed editing capabilities. By choosing the right tool, you can efficiently convert your voice memos into valuable text documents.