How to Convert WhatsApp Voice Messages to Text on iPhone and Android (2026)

Turning a WhatsApp voice message into text takes under a minute once you know where the file is. There are two routes: WhatsApp's built-in transcripts, handy for short notes, and saving the audio and transcribing it with AI, which is what you need when the message is long, in another language, or you want to keep the text in a document.

Option 1: WhatsApp's built-in voice message transcripts

WhatsApp can transcribe voice messages inside the chat for some languages and app versions.

1. Go to Settings → Chats → Voice message transcripts and turn it on.
2. Pick the transcript language.
3. In the chat, long-press the voice message and tap Transcribe.

That's enough to read a voice note in a meeting or on the train. Its limits: the text stays inside the chat, your language may not be available, and it won't work if the message is in a different language from the one you picked.

Option 2: save the audio and transcribe it with AI

This works with any voice message, of any length, in 60+ languages, and gives you text you can copy or download.

Step 1: save the voice message

On iPhone

1. In the chat, long-press the voice message and tap Forward.
2. Tap the share icon (bottom right).
3. Choose Save to Files.

On Android

1. Long-press the voice message until it's selected.
2. Tap the share icon and pick where to save it, or email it to yourself.
3. If there's no share option, the file is in WhatsApp's folder: Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Voice Notes.

The file has an .opus extension. You don't need to convert it.

Step 2: upload and transcribe it

1. Open the WhatsApp audio to text tool on your phone or computer.
2. Tap browse files and select the .opus file you saved.
3. In a minute or two you get the text, with a timestamp for every sentence.

The first 15 minutes are free, with no sign-up and no card. A typical voice note lasts 30 seconds to 3 minutes, so you can transcribe quite a few before paying anything.

Step 3: check and copy the text

Every sentence is linked to its moment in the audio: tap it to hear it and fix anything that needs it, like a name or a number. Then copy the text or download it as Word or TXT.

What if I have lots of voice messages?

If someone sent you ten voice notes in a row (or you need a group's messages in writing), the fastest way is to:

• Save them all to one folder on your phone or computer.
• Upload them one after another: each one appears in your history with its text.
• Use an account to keep them organized. When you sign up, transcripts you made before move into your account.

For bigger jobs, like research interviews recorded over WhatsApp, see our guide on how to transcribe research interviews.

Voice messages in another language

The language is detected automatically. If you get a message in Spanish, Portuguese or French, upload it the same way and you'll get the text in the original language. For a little more accuracy, pick the language before transcribing instead of leaving it on automatic.

Privacy

Voice notes are often personal. Before uploading someone else's messages, think about whether they'd be fine with it. On Sonorarium, files are deleted after 7 days, never used to train models, and you can delete your account and every transcript whenever you want.

FAQ

Can I transcribe a WhatsApp voice message without installing anything? Yes. Everything works in your phone or computer browser.

How much does it cost? The first 15 minutes are free. After that you only pay for the minutes you use, from $3 for 30 minutes, with no subscription. All packs are on the pricing page.

Does it work with background noise? Yes, although accuracy drops with heavy noise or several people talking at once. There are tips to improve it in our guide to transcribing noisy audio.