MP4 to text: how to transcribe .mp4 files on iPhone

You have a video — a recorded meeting, a lecture video, or a downloaded clip — and you need the words in it as text. You don’t need a converter, an mp3 tool, or a desktop app: transcription apps accept .mp4 directly.

Short answer: Import the file into AI Transcribe — tap Import, choose Video File, pick your .mp4 file — and the transcript appears with timestamps and speaker labels. Files up to 3 hours are supported, and the format is converted internally, so no preparation is needed.

What is a .mp4 file?

MP4 is the standard video container. For transcription only the audio track matters: it is extracted automatically, so you never need a separate “video to audio” converter.

MP4 to text, step by step

1. Get the file onto your iPhone (Files, Downloads, or shared from another app).
2. Open AI Transcribe and tap Import → Video File.
3. Select the .mp4 file. It’s converted and transcribed automatically — keep the app open while it processes.
4. Use Summarize or any of the 15+ AI tools on the result, or export the transcript as text or PDF.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to convert .mp4 to another format first? No. Conversion happens inside the app; any common video format works.

How long can the file be? Up to 3 hours per file. Transcription takes minutes, not the file’s duration.

Which languages are supported? 32 languages with automatic language detection — the file’s language doesn’t need to be set manually.

What does it cost? AI Transcribe is free to download and try; the Pro subscription (weekly or annual) unlocks up to 3 hours of transcription per day.