- 0:00
- Hi Mum, I landed, all good.
- 0:07
- The bags came out first for once.
- 0:19
- I will call you when I get to the hotel.
- 0:35
- Love you.
Keep it, search it, ask about it laterSave to Kalpa ›
Free tool · No sign-up
iMessage audio message to text
Keep what was said in an audio message — long after it would have expired.
.caf, .m4a or .amr
Start recordingFirst 2 minutes free, any length
Longer than 2 minutes?You get the first 2 minutes here. Kalpa transcribes the rest — free to start on iPhone
Get the app ›
How do you turn an iMessage audio message into text?
To convert an iMessage audio message to text, first save it in Messages so it doesn’t expire, then share it as a file — or drag it out of Messages on a Mac. Drop the file above and Kalpa returns the text. The first 2 minutes of any iMessage audio message are free here; the rest is in Kalpa.
Short ones here, long ones in Kalpa
Keep it, search it, ask about it laterSave to Kalpa ›
How to transcribe an iMessage audio message
Keep the message
Save it in Messages, or it may expire.
Get the file
Share it from your iPhone, or drag it out of Messages on a Mac.
Drop it above
.caf and .m4a files both work.
Keep the text
Save it to Kalpa next to your own notes.
Faster in the app
Keep iMessage audio before it expires
Audio messages on iPhone can expire unless you keep them. Save the one that matters, drop it here and keep the words as timestamped text you can copy or download.
Good to know
- iPhone may show its own transcript for audio messages in some languages; Kalpa gives you text you can copy or download.
- Audio messages can expire unless you save them — check the Messages settings on your iPhone.
- On a Mac, audio messages are easiest to export by dragging them to Finder.
Why people transcribe audio messages
Keepsakes
Save what someone said in their own words.
Instructions
Codes, addresses and steps you’ll need again.
Work
Quick audio briefs turned into to-dos.
When the free tool is enough — and when you need Kalpa
| Free web tool | Kalpa app | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | First 2 minutes of any recording | The whole recording, no limit |
| Summary, quotes and topics | — | Yes |
| Search everything you saved | — | Ask in chat, jump to the moment |
| Your own recordings | Upload a file | Record on iPhone or Apple Watch, transcribed on device |
| Languages | 25, detected automatically | 25, detected automatically |
Questions and answers
Why did my iMessage audio message disappear?
iPhone can remove iMessage audio messages automatically unless you save them or change your Messages settings, so save the ones you want to transcribe.
Which iMessage audio formats work?
Kalpa transcribes iMessage audio messages saved as .caf, .m4a or .amr files, up to 100 MB.
How do I get an iMessage audio message off my Mac?
On a Mac, the easiest way to export an iMessage audio message is to drag it from Messages to Finder, then drop the file here.
Can Kalpa transcribe the full audio message on my iPhone?
The Kalpa app for iPhone has the full transcript of a long iMessage audio message, beyond the first 2 minutes that are free here, and it is free to start.
Is converting iMessage audio to text free?
Kalpa transcribes the first 2 minutes of any iMessage audio message for free, with no sign-up; the rest is in Kalpa.
More free transcription tools
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See all free tools
Everything you hear and say, remembered
Kalpa keeps what you watch, say and think in one place you can talk to. Free to start on iPhone and Apple Watch.
Download on the App Store