How to turn a voice memo into text

August 27, 2026 · Updated September 7, 2026

"Voice memo" isn't one file format — it's whatever the recording app on your phone happened to save. That turns out not to matter much for getting a transcript, but it's worth knowing what you're actually holding.

What each platform actually gives you

Apple's Voice Memos app — the default recorder on every iPhone — saves in M4A (AAC-encoded) by default. Most Android recorder apps save as M4A or bare AAC, depending on the app. Dedicated recorders and dictaphones more often output WAV, since they're usually optimized for quality over file size rather than for sharing.

None of that changes how you get the text out. Audio to Text auto-detects whichever of these formats you upload, so in practice you rarely need to know or care which one you have. If you do know it's specifically an iPhone recording, M4A to Text is tuned for exactly that case.

The only step that actually varies by platform is getting the file off your phone in the first place — AirDrop, a cable, or sharing it to yourself over email or a messaging app all work the same way once the file exists on your computer. From there, the transcript comes back in seconds regardless of which app made the recording.

Try it yourself

M4A to Text is free, right in your browser.

Open M4A to Text →

Frequently asked questions

What file format is an iPhone voice memo?

M4A, using AAC encoding — that is what Apple's Voice Memos app saves by default. It transcribes directly, with no conversion needed.

What format do Android recorder apps use?

Usually M4A or bare AAC, depending on the app. Dedicated recorders and dictaphones more often produce WAV, since they favour quality over file size.

Do I need to convert a voice memo before transcribing it?

No. A transcription tool that auto-detects the format takes whichever of these you happen to have, so in practice you never need to know which one it is.

How do I get the voice memo off my phone?

AirDrop, a cable, or sharing it to yourself by email or a messaging app all work. This is the only step that really varies by platform — once the file exists on your computer the rest is identical.

Does sharing the memo through a messaging app hurt accuracy?

It can. Some apps re-compress audio in transit, and each pass discards a little more detail. If accuracy matters, move the original file rather than forwarding a copy.