How do I transcribe audio on iPhone without internet?

Use an on-device transcription app. Apple Voice Memos and Inscribe both process audio locally on your iPhone, so transcription works in airplane mode and your audio is never uploaded to the cloud.

How do I transcribe an existing audio file on iPhone?

Import the file into a transcription app that supports file imports. Inscribe lets you import audio and video files from the Files app or other apps and transcribe them on-device, with no per-file limits.

How to Transcribe Audio on iPhone for Free (No Internet Needed)

The Quick Answer

There are two free, on-device ways to transcribe audio on iPhone — no subscription and no internet required:

Apple Voice Memos (iPhone 12 and later) — great for quick personal recordings you want as text.
Inscribe — for transcribing imported audio/video files, longer recordings, and getting AI summaries, action items, and Q&A — all offline.

Both process audio locally, so your recordings never leave your device. Here's how to use each.

Method 1: Apple Voice Memos (Built-In & Free)

Open Voice Memos and tap the red button to record (or open an existing memo).
Tap the transcript icon (the quotation-mark button) below the waveform.
The transcript appears on-device. Tap and hold to copy the text.

Best for: short personal notes. Limitations: it transcribes recordings you make in the app, but it's not built for importing external audio files, long meetings, summaries, or asking questions about what was said.

Method 2: Inscribe (Imported Files, Long Recordings & AI Summaries)

When you need to transcribe an audio file someone sent you, a two-hour lecture, or a meeting — and actually do something with the transcript — Inscribe handles what Voice Memos can't, while staying 100% on-device.

Open Inscribe and either record directly or tap import to pull in an audio or video file from Files, Voice Memos, or another app.
Inscribe transcribes the audio on-device — it works in airplane mode and nothing is uploaded.
Get an instant AI summary, see action items pulled out automatically, or ask questions like "what did they decide about the deadline?"
Copy or export the transcript, summary, or notes.

Why this matters: Voice Memos gives you raw text. Inscribe turns a recording into a finished, searchable, summarized note — without sending your audio to anyone's server.

Free On-Device Methods Compared

Capability	Voice Memos	Inscribe
Transcribe your own recordings	✓	✓
Import & transcribe audio files	Limited	✓ No limit
AI summaries & action items	✗	✓
Ask questions about a recording	✗	✓
Works offline	✓	✓
Also on iPad & Mac	✓	✓

Try Inscribe Free

Transcribe any recording or imported file on your iPhone — offline, with AI summaries and Q&A, and nothing uploaded to the cloud.

Download Inscribe Free

Tips for Better iPhone Transcriptions

Get close to the speaker — iPhone mics are good, but distance and echo hurt accuracy.
Reduce background noise where you can; cafés and crowds lower accuracy for any app.
Use the right language setting so the model matches what's being spoken.
For sensitive recordings, stay on-device — avoid apps that upload to the cloud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can iPhone transcribe audio for free?

Yes. Apple Voice Memos transcribes on-device for free on iPhone 12 and later. For imported files, long recordings, and AI summaries, Inscribe is free to try and also works offline.

How do I transcribe audio without internet on iPhone?

Use an on-device app like Voice Memos or Inscribe. Both process audio locally, so transcription works in airplane mode and nothing is uploaded.

What about transcribing on Mac or iPad?

Inscribe works the same across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, so you can record on one device and review transcripts on another. See our best offline transcription apps guide for more options.