How to convert a WhatsApp voice message to text on iPhone and Android
To convert a WhatsApp voice message to text, press and hold the voice note, tap the share icon (on iPhone, tap Forward and then the share icon) and choose HiText. In a few minutes you have the message in writing and, if it's long, a summary of what matters. It also works with voice notes from other apps, and your first 30 minutes are free.
Meeting about the online store redesign:
- Attendees: Andrew and Laura
- Goal: Agree on scope, budget and timeline.
- Next step: Send the proposal by Friday.
WhatsApp voice message to text, step by step
- 1
Install HiText
Download it for free from the App Store or Google Play. Open it once so it's ready.
- 2
Share the voice note from WhatsApp
In the chat, press and hold the voice note. On Android, tap the share icon in the top bar; on iPhone, tap Forward and then the share icon (bottom right). Pick HiText from the list of apps.
- 3
Read it in HiText
The transcript shows up in the app within a few minutes. You can copy the text, read the summary or translate it if the voice note is in another language.
Why read your voice notes
A five-minute voice note takes one minute to read. Turning it into text lets you find an address, a date or a price without playing it all again, and read it when you can't turn the sound on: in a meeting, on the train or with the baby asleep.
- Long voice notes from friends or family
- Voice messages from clients or suppliers with details you need to write down
- Voice notes in another language you want to read translated
If HiText doesn't show up when sharing
- Scroll the row of apps to the end and tap «More»
- Find HiText and turn it on or add it to your favorites
- If you just installed it, open it once before sharing
Also with WhatsApp Business and other apps
The Share menu works the same way in WhatsApp Business and in most apps that store audio, such as Telegram or Voice Memos: share the audio and choose HiText. You can also save the audio to Files and open it from HiText.
Frequently asked questions
Can I convert a WhatsApp voice message to text for free?
You start with 30 free minutes of transcription, no card needed. To keep transcribing you can subscribe to Pro inside the app; you see the price before paying and can cancel any time from your App Store or Google Play subscription settings.
Doesn't WhatsApp already transcribe voice messages? What does HiText add?
WhatsApp can show transcripts of voice messages in some languages and on some devices. HiText also handles long voice notes, keeps many of them organized in folders, lets you read them translated into another language and gives you an AI summary of what matters.
Is the audio stored on your servers?
Your audio is used only to transcribe it and is deleted from our servers when it's done (at most within 7 days if something fails). The transcript and summary are kept on your device and on our servers until you delete them in the app. We don't use your content to train AI models. Details in our privacy policy.
Does it work with voice notes in other languages?
Yes. It transcribes 13 languages with automatic detection and lets you read the transcript translated into 15 languages, so you can understand a voice note in Spanish, Portuguese or Italian.
Stop listening to endless voice notes
Download HiText and read your WhatsApp voice notes. Your first 30 minutes are free.
