Pull out the to-dos
Summarize a long message as action items or dates and deadlines, so plans and requests don't get lost in the audio.
IPHONE & ANDROID GUIDE
Transcribe WhatsApp audio.
Read it instead.
WhatsApp can turn a voice message into text inside the chat. When you want the message summarized, translated, or saved somewhere you can find it again, share it to Voice Note Transcriber.
WHATSAPP VOICE MESSAGE
READY
Voice message from Mum04:05 · Turkish
Summary
ACTION ITEMS · ENGLISH
Call the pharmacy before 6. Pick up the cake on Saturday. Send her the flight number.
FamilyThis week
01
THE SHORT ANSWER
WhatsApp transcribes voice messages in the chat. An app helps when you need to do more with them.
WhatsApp's voice message transcripts are created on your phone and shown under the message, in the languages WhatsApp supports. For a quick read, that's often enough.
Voice Note Transcriber is for long or important messages: a summary with action items, a translation from a language you don't speak, or a saved copy in a searchable folder. It only receives the voice messages you choose to share.
METHOD 1 · BUILT INTO WHATSAPP
How to turn on WhatsApp voice message transcripts
Turn transcripts on
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings, then Chats.
- Tap Voice message transcripts and switch it on.
- Choose the language your voice messages are usually in.
Transcribe a voice message
- Open the chat and press and hold the voice message.
- Tap Transcribe. The text appears under the message.
Good to know: WhatsApp says transcripts are generated on your device, so WhatsApp can't read them. They're available in a limited set of languages, and menu names can differ between app versions. WhatsApp's announcement and Help Center have the current details.
METHOD 2 · VOICE NOTE TRANSCRIBER
How to convert a WhatsApp voice message to text with Voice Note Transcriber
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01
Share the voice message
On iPhone or Android, press and hold the voice message in the chat, then choose WhatsApp's option for sharing it to another app. When your phone's share sheet opens, pick Voice Note Transcriber.
The menu labels for sharing depend on your phone and WhatsApp version.
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02
Choose the output
Transcribe for every word, Summarize for the takeaway, Translate into your language, or Summarize + Translate for both. Summaries come as short, detailed, bullet points, action items, or dates and deadlines.
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03
Read, copy, save
Open the result, copy what you need, and save it to a folder with tags. Saved results sync to your account, so an address or instruction from a voice message is easy to find later.
WHICH ONE TO USE
WhatsApp transcripts or Voice Note Transcriber?
| You want to… | WhatsApp transcripts | Voice Note Transcriber |
|---|---|---|
| Read a voice message without playing it | Yes, in supported languages | Yes |
| Get a summary, action items, or deadlines | Not part of the voice message transcripts feature | Yes, five summary styles |
| Translate a message into your language | Not part of the voice message transcripts feature | Yes, or summarize and translate together |
| Keep the text outside the chat | The transcript appears with the message in the chat | Folders, tags, and search, synced to your account |
| Also handle Telegram, Voice Memos, and files | Works on WhatsApp voice messages | Yes |
| Where the audio is processed | On your device, according to WhatsApp | By AI providers; audio is removed afterwards |
| Cost | Included with WhatsApp | Pro and Power plans in the app |
This compares WhatsApp's voice message transcripts feature only. WhatsApp adds features over time, so check its Help Center for anything newer.
Recorded something yourself in Apple's Voice Memos app? See the voice memo transcription guide.
WHEN A TRANSCRIPT ISN'T ENOUGH
What to do with a WhatsApp voice message after it's text.
Understand other languages
Translate a message from family or friends abroad, or get a short summary of it in your language.
Keep what matters
Save addresses, instructions, and recipes from voice messages to folders you can search, instead of scrolling back through a chat.
QUESTIONS
WhatsApp voice message to text questions.
Can WhatsApp transcribe voice messages?
Yes. Turn on Voice message transcripts in Settings, then Chats, choose a language, then press and hold a voice message and tap Transcribe. Transcripts are available in a limited set of languages.
Why don't I see Transcribe in WhatsApp?
Check that Voice message transcripts is switched on in Settings, then Chats, and that the message is in the language you selected. Updating WhatsApp can also help, because the feature and its languages have rolled out over time.
Can I translate a WhatsApp voice message?
Yes, with Voice Note Transcriber. Share the voice message, then choose Translate, or Summarize + Translate for a short summary in your language. See the voice message translation guide.
Does Voice Note Transcriber read my WhatsApp chats?
No. It only receives the voice messages you share to it from WhatsApp's Share option. It doesn't connect to your WhatsApp account.
Does it work with Telegram voice messages?
Yes. Share the voice message from Telegram to another app and pick Voice Note Transcriber from your phone's share sheet.
What happens to the audio I share?
Voice Note Transcriber sends it to AI providers for processing and removes it afterwards. Results you save sync to your account, and you can delete them, or all of your app data, from the app.
Also see the voice memo transcription guide, or read about Voice Note Transcriber. · Read a Telegram voice message
FOR THE MESSAGES YOU CAN'T PLAY RIGHT NOW
Summarize, translate, and keep your WhatsApp voice messages.
Download Voice Note Transcriber for iPhone or Android, then share your next voice message to it.