Voice memos are the fastest way to capture an idea, a to-do, or a quick interview — talking is far quicker than typing. The catch is that audio is hard to search and reuse. The fix is transcription: turn the recording into text you can edit, search, and share. Here's how to record a voice memo on each platform and transcribe it.
How to record a voice memo on iPhone
- Open the Voice Memos app (it comes pre-installed on iOS).
- Tap the red record button and start speaking.
- Tap stop when you're done, then rename the memo so you can find it later.
- Use the share button to export it as an audio file (M4A).
How to record audio on Android
- Open the Recorder app (or your phone's built-in voice recorder).
- Tap record and speak clearly toward the microphone.
- Stop and save the recording.
- Share or export the file as MP3 or M4A.
How to turn a voice memo into text
Once you have the audio file, an audio-to-text tool converts it into a transcript in a few moments. You don't need to install anything — upload the file in your browser and the AI returns text you can copy, edit, and search.
Step by step: transcribe a voice memo
- Export the voice memo from your phone as an audio file.
- Open an audio-to-text tool in your browser — no sign-up needed with JotMe.
- Upload the file (MP3, M4A, or WAV all work).
- Let the AI transcribe it, then review and copy the text.
Try it yourself
Prefer real time? Transcribe as you speak
If you'd rather skip the recording step, real-time transcription writes your words to text live as you talk — useful for dictation, quick notes, or interviews. JotMe's live transcription supports 200+ languages, so you can speak and watch the text appear instantly.
Try it yourself
LIVE TRANSCRIPTION — ENGLISH (US)
Press Start to begin real-time transcription
Tips for clear recordings
- Record in a quiet space and hold the phone close to the speaker.
- Avoid covering the microphone with your hand or a case.
- Speak at a steady pace — rushing lowers accuracy.
- For interviews, ask people to take turns rather than talking over each other.
The bottom line
Recording a voice memo takes seconds on any phone, and turning it into text is just as quick with the right tool. Capture audio in M4A or MP3, then upload it — or skip recording entirely and transcribe live. Try it free in your browser below.