Copy a transcript in Apple Voice Memos
The built-in transcript may be enough for a short recording or a quotation.
Phrase vs Apple Voice Memos
Voice Memos records, edits and plays back audio, and on supported devices and languages it also gives you a transcript you can search. Phrase turns the recording into a note you can edit, with a summary and the audio attached, and can make meeting recaps, slide decks and study sets from it. The choice depends on what you need from the recording.
Side by side
| Feature | Phrase | Voice Memos |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free to download, with an optional Pro subscription | Built into iOS, free |
| Recording | In the app, from the Control Center and Lock Screen control, and on Apple Watch | In the app, Control Center and Apple Watch |
| Transcription | AI transcription in 100+ languages, detected automatically. Timestamped, searchable, and playable from any line | On recent iOS versions, in supported languages |
| After the recording | A note with a title, a summary, the transcript and a body you can edit. The audio stays attached. | An audio file with a name and a transcript view |
| Editing | Edit the whole note: headings, lists, to-dos, code, formulas, images and diagrams | Trim and replace audio |
| Search | Titles and summaries, words inside a transcript, and note content through the assistant (with Pro) | Recording names and text in available transcripts |
| Beyond notes | Flashcards, quizzes, mind maps and slide decks made from your notes, with Pro | None |
| Other sources | Audio files, videos, PDFs and photos become notes too | Audio only |
| Sync and processing | Notes stay on your device and sync through iCloud with Pro. Recordings are processed in the cloud to create the note, and AI features send the relevant text to an AI service. | Optional iCloud sync |
Where Voice Memos is enough
Use Voice Memos to record, edit and play back audio, and to find words in a transcript where Apple supports it. If that is all you need, you don’t need another app. Apple explains how to search your recordings and which devices and languages get transcripts.
Where Phrase goes further
Phrase turns the recording into a note: a summary, a searchable transcript and a body you can edit, with the original audio attached so you can check any line. With Pro, it can make slide decks, flashcards, quizzes and mind maps from the note, or add to-dos to Reminders, put events on your Calendar and draft a follow-up email, with your approval. Meetings, interviews and lectures stop being audio files you never open again.
Moving recordings from Voice Memos
Export a recording from Voice Memos and import the audio file into Phrase. Once it is processed in the cloud, it becomes a note with the audio attached. Your notes stay on your device and sync through iCloud with Pro. The free download includes one media-to-note conversion.
Does Voice Memos have transcripts too?
On recent iOS versions, Voice Memos can transcribe recordings in supported languages. Phrase uses AI transcription instead of the iPhone’s built-in speech recognition, in 100+ languages that it detects on its own. Then it turns the recording into a structured, editable note with a summary, keeps the audio and transcript attached, searches across your whole library, and can create flashcards, slide decks and quizzes from it.
Can I move existing Voice Memos recordings into Phrase?
Yes. Phrase imports audio files. In Voice Memos, share the recording and choose Save to Files, then import that file in Phrase. It becomes a structured note with a transcript and a summary once processing finishes.
Is Phrase free like Voice Memos?
Phrase is free to download, with an optional Pro subscription. The free tier keeps up to 100 notes at a time and includes one free media-to-note conversion. Voice Memos is built into iOS at no cost.
When is Voice Memos the better choice?
Voice Memos is a good choice for recording, playback, audio editing, and transcripts on supported devices and languages. Choose Phrase when you also want structured notes, study tools, or slide decks from the recording.
Try the built-in transcription first.
Why Voice Memos has no transcript
Check availability and recording issues before deciding to change your workflow.
Compare the four places you can search
Voice Memos, Notes, iPhone search, and a single library, with what each one cannot reach.
What Siri Recap keeps, in Apple’s words
No transcript, no speaker attribution, no audio, and summaries that expire after seven days.
When a Voice Memo won’t reach your Mac
Six checks in order, from the iCloud switch on each device to Recently Deleted and layered recordings.
Turn your next recording into a note.
One media-to-note conversion is free. Pro includes more conversions and the AI features, with your current allowance shown in the app.
Download on the App Store Download on the Mac App Store