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Guide · iPhone and Android

How to transcribe WhatsApp voice messages to text

A useful voice message is hard to search, quote or translate while it stays audio. Save it, upload it to Sondeas in your browser, and get text you can copy, translate or share. Nothing to install.

  • 4 steps
  • Works in a phone browser
  • Translate into 100 languages
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Step by step

On iPhone

  1. Step 1: Save the voice message

    In the chat, long-press the voice message, tap Forward, then choose Save to Files.

    Saved it? Open Sondeas

  2. Step 2: Upload it to Sondeas

    Open Sondeas in Safari or Chrome, tap Upload and pick the file from Files. No app to install.

    Upload in Sondeas

  3. Step 3: Transcribe it

    Keep automatic language detection, or choose the language if you know it. Then fix any word in place.

    Transcribe in Sondeas

  4. Step 4: Translate, copy or share

    Translate into any of 100 languages with the original kept alongside, then copy the text or share it from the menu.

    Translate in Sondeas

Step by step

On Android

  1. Step 1: Save the voice message

    Tap and hold the message, open the ⋮ menu, tap Share and save it to your device or Drive.

    Then open Sondeas

  2. Step 2: Upload it

    Open Sondeas in Chrome, tap Upload and choose the saved file.

    Upload in Sondeas

  3. Step 3: Transcribe and translate

    Choose the language or keep auto-detect, transcribe, then translate if you need to.

    Transcribe in Sondeas

  4. Step 4: Copy or share

    Copy the text into your chat, notes or email, or share it from the menu.

    Try it in Sondeas

Tips

  • In a long chat, forward the voice message to yourself first, then save it from there.
  • WhatsApp saves voice messages as .opus files. Upload the file as it is; converting it to M4A or MP3 is optional.

If something goes wrong

  • No Save option? Forward the voice message to your email or to the Files app first.
  • The file ends in .opus? That's expected. Upload it directly.
  • Transcription failed? Your recording is kept. Tap Try again, or download it and upload it again. Failed jobs use no minutes.
More in the help centre

Got the voice message saved? Upload it now.

Create your account, choose a plan or pack, and you land on Upload. 7 days free on Pro and Clinician. Card required, cancel any time.

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Questions

WhatsApp transcription FAQ

Do I need a computer?
No. Every step works in your phone's browser. A computer works too.
Can I translate into more than one language?
Yes. Run one translation after another; each version stays with the note so you can copy or share it.
Is the voice message stored?
It's stored encrypted in your account so you can play it beside the transcript. You decide what to share, and you can delete it any time.
WhatsApp already shows transcripts. Why use this?
Use WhatsApp's built-in transcript when it works for you. Sondeas helps when it isn't available for your language or device, or when you need editable text, a translation or a saved note.

Related pages

Turn the voice message into text you can use.

Transcribe, translate, copy or share. 7 days free on Pro and Clinician. Card required, cancel any time.

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