How to convert WhatsApp voice messages to text

Voice messages have skyrocketed in popularity since WhatsApp first launched the feature in 2013. In fact, seven billion WhatsApp voice messages are now sent every single day. They're a quick and easy way to have expressive conversations - without the faff of typing. And for people that find it difficult to type out a message, they're a saving grace.

But as a recipient, reading a message is sometimes much easier than listening to one. Perhaps you're in a noisy room and you can't hear the recording. Maybe you've forgotten your headphones and don't want to risk anyone overhearing. Or you might simply not have the time (or the patience) to sit through a ten-minute ramble!

In this guide we'll show you how to transcribe WhatsApp voice messages to text quickly and easily.

Jump to:

• How to use WhatsApp's voice message transcript feature
• How to convert WhatsApp voice messages to text using Transcribe
• Why use the Transcribe app to transcribe WhatsApp voice messages?

How to use WhatsApp's voice message transcript feature

WhatsApp began rolling out its voice message transcript feature in November 2024, meaning you can now get a transcript without leaving the app. Here's how to use it:

1. Open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Chats > Voice message transcripts

Here you can turn transcripts on or off.

2. Select your transcript language

3. Go to the voice message you want to transcribe

Click Transcribe. You may need to tap and hold the message to see the 'transcribe' option.

4. The transcript will appear beneath the voice note

As you can see, the accuracy of WhatsApp's built-in transcript feature can be hit or miss.

For a more accurate transcription, consider using a third-party tool like Transcribe.

How to convert WhatsApp voice messages to text using Transcribe

With the Transcribe app, you can convert audio to text on your iPhone in a matter of minutes! Here's how:

1. Download the Transcribe app on your iPhone

2. Go to the WhatsApp voice note you want to transcribe

Tap and hold the voice message you want to convert to text.

Click Forward, then in the bottom right hand corner of the screen click the Share icon (the box with the arrow).

Scroll through your list of apps and select Transcribe.

3. Choose your language

Select the language of the voice note from more than 120 languages and dialects.

4. Click the Transcribe button

Your WhatsApp voice message will be converted to text in a matter of minutes - if not seconds - thanks to our speedy AI software. You can make yourself a coffee or reply to some other messages while this is happening in the background, and we'll send you a notification when it's done.

5. Your transcription is ready!

Open up the Transcribe app, and your transcription will be there waiting for you to read. You can use the search function to find key points, edit the transcript to get it fully polished, and export the transcribed voice note to TXT - or upgrade to our PRO service to export to PDF, DOCX, SRT and JPG.

It's that easy!

Why use the Transcribe app to transcribe WhatsApp voice messages?

Transcribe is an AI-powered audio-to-text converter that turns speech into text quickly and easily. Here are some of the main benefits of using our app for WhatsApp voice message transcripts:

• High quality transcripts in a matter of minutes

Our sophisticated AI transcription models provide you with quality transcriptions in no time at all, to help you stay up to date with your correspondence.

• Multilingual support

Transcribe supports more than 120 languages and dialects (whereas WhatsApp only supports 23), so you can convert voice messages from friends and family, no matter where they're from.

• Confidential and secure

All recordings and transcripts are encrypted via industry best practices, using secure technologies and infrastructure like SSL, encryption, firewalls and secure passwords. So you can rest assured your messages will be protected.

Ready to convert your WhatsApp messages to text?

Download the Transcribe app to get started.

For more transcription tips, check out our step-by-step guides on how to transcribe a voice memo and how to record and transcribe a phone call.