AI TranscribeFree ways to transcribe audio on iPhone (and their real limits)
"Free transcription" almost always comes with a catch — a minute cap, a file limit, or a language list. Here is what's genuinely free on iPhone as of July 2026, and where each option stops being enough.
TL;DR: For occasional short memos, Apple's built-in Voice Memos transcript is free and good. For reading WhatsApp voice notes, WhatsApp's own transcripts are free. For anything involving files, summaries, or non-mainstream languages, free tiers run out fast — that's where paid apps like AI Transcribe earn their subscription.
1. Apple Voice Memos transcript — genuinely free
Since iOS 18, new Voice Memos recordings include a transcript. Truly free, no account.
The catches: requires an iPhone 12 or later; covers roughly 10 languages (English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Chinese — not Turkish, Arabic, Hindi and many others); not available in all regions; older recordings usually get no transcript; no file import, no summary, no export tooling.
2. WhatsApp voice message transcripts — free, inside chats
WhatsApp can transcribe voice messages on-device (Settings → Chats → Voice Message Transcripts). Free and convenient for reading a voice note.
The catches: limited languages fixed in settings, text stays inside the chat, no export or summary. For getting the text out, see transcribing WhatsApp voice messages.
3. Otter free plan — 300 minutes, but read the import limit
Otter's free tier sounds generous: 300 transcription minutes per month. The fine print matters: 30 minutes max per conversation, and only 3 audio/video file imports per account — lifetime, not monthly. Fine for trying live meeting notes; effectively useless for transcribing existing recordings.
4. TurboScribe free plan — 3 files a day, 30 minutes each
A genuinely usable free tier for short files if you don't mind the web-first workflow and daily ceiling. Longer files require the paid Unlimited plan ($10/month billed annually).
5. AI Transcribe free tier — try before subscribing
AI Transcribe is free to download with a small free allowance (with a 1 hour/day time limit) — enough to test accuracy on your own audio, in any of its 32 languages with speaker labels. Ongoing use is a Pro subscription (weekly or annual, up to 3 hours of transcription per day).
Decision table
| You want to… | Free option that works | Where it breaks |
|---|---|---|
| Transcribe a quick memo you just recorded | Voice Memos (iOS 18+, iPhone 12+) | Older recordings, ~10 languages only |
| Read a WhatsApp voice note | WhatsApp transcripts | Text stuck in chat, limited languages |
| Transcribe a few short files | TurboScribe free | 30 min/file, 3/day, web-first |
| Try live meeting notes | Otter free | 3 file imports ever |
| Files + summaries + 32 languages | — | This is paid-app territory |
The honest conclusion
If your need is occasional and short, use the free built-ins — they're good now, and they cost nothing. If you transcribe regularly, need summaries, speaker labels, file imports or broader language support, a paid app is cheaper than the time the free tiers waste. Our comparison of the best iPhone transcription apps covers the paid options honestly.