Audio import how-to · Facts verified 2026-09-01

How to convert a voice recording to text
with built-in tools or WhisperJot

You can convert a voice recording to text with built-in tools on some operating systems, or with an app that imports the file. On Apple silicon Macs, Voice Memos and Notes can transcribe; on Windows, Word Transcribe in Microsoft 365 handles common audio formats; on Linux, Speech Note transcribes files offline. WhisperJot imports wav, mp3, m4a, aiff, and similar files of up to 60 minutes from the menu bar.

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Built-in path

How can I convert a voice recording to text with built-in tools?

Built-in file transcription is uneven. Use the vendor path that matches your operating system; none of these is a universal desktop transcriber.

  1. On Apple silicon Macs, use Voice Memos. On macOS 15 and later on Apple silicon, Voice Memos can transcribe recordings so you can view and copy the transcript. This is for recordings in Voice Memos, not a general Finder drop-target for every audio file.
  2. Or record and transcribe in Notes. Notes can record and transcribe audio on M1 and later Macs, in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese. Importing an arbitrary audio file into Notes is not documented, so do not count on it.
  3. On Windows, use Word Transcribe. Microsoft 365 Word Transcribe (Word for the web, and Word for Windows in commercial tenants) uploads wav, mp4, m4a, or mp3 files. It allows 300 minutes per month and processes in the cloud. There is no built-in Windows file transcriber outside Microsoft 365.
  4. On Linux, use Speech Note. Speech Note transcribes files offline with Whisper or Vosk. Linux desktops do not ship a GNOME or KDE built-in file transcriber.
  5. Copy the transcript where you need it. Built-in tools typically leave you with text to copy. If you wanted the words typed live into another app, that is dictation, not file import — see the platform how-to guides.
Limits to know

Limits to know

  • Voice Memos transcription is macOS 15+ on Apple silicon, for recordings in that app.
  • Notes transcription is M1+ and a listed set of languages; arbitrary file import into Notes is not documented.
  • Word Transcribe needs a Microsoft 365 subscription, uploads the file, caps at 300 minutes per month, and runs in the cloud.
  • Linux has no GNOME or KDE built-in file transcriber; Speech Note is a community app.
The WhisperJot way

How to convert a voice recording to text with WhisperJot

  1. Choose Transcribe Audio File. From the WhisperJot menu bar, choose Transcribe Audio File. Supported types include wav, mp3, m4a, aiff, and similar audio files.
  2. Stay within the 60-minute cap. Each imported file can be up to 60 minutes. Longer recordings need to be split before import.
  3. Transcribe on-device with local engines. With Jot Local or Jot Local Pro selected, transcription runs on-device. Jot Cloud is opt-in and is not required for file import. The result lands in History.
  4. Open the result from History. Copy the transcript from History into the app you need. This path transcribes a file you already have; it does not capture calls or system audio.
Tips

Make the first session count.

Mac recordings stay in Apple's apps

Voice Memos and Notes cover recordings those apps made. For an arbitrary wav or mp3, use WhisperJot's file import or another dedicated transcriber.

Windows needs Microsoft 365 for Word

There is no built-in Windows file transcriber outside Microsoft 365. Word Transcribe uploads the file and meters 300 minutes per month.

Linux file transcription is offline in Speech Note

Speech Note is the community option for files. WhisperJot's import is another on-device path if you already use the app.

Watch the caps

Word Transcribe: 300 minutes per month. WhisperJot import: 60 minutes per file. Live WhisperJot dictation sessions cap at 30 minutes.

Questions

Straight answers.

How can I convert a voice recording to text?

Match the operating system. On Apple silicon with macOS 15 or later, Voice Memos can show a transcript of its recordings, and Notes can record and transcribe in listed languages. On Windows, Word Transcribe in Microsoft 365 uploads wav, mp4, m4a, or mp3. On Linux, Speech Note transcribes files offline. WhisperJot imports audio of up to 60 minutes from the menu bar.

Can Voice Memos transcribe on a Mac?

Yes, on macOS 15 and later on Apple silicon. You can view and copy the transcript of a Voice Memos recording. Notes can also record and transcribe audio on M1 and later Macs in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese. Apple does not document importing an arbitrary audio file into Notes.

Does Windows have a built-in file transcriber?

Not outside Microsoft 365. Word Transcribe on Word for the web, and Word for Windows in commercial tenants, uploads wav, mp4, m4a, or mp3, processes in the cloud, and allows 300 minutes per month. Windows Voice typing (Win+H) is live dictation into a field, not a file importer.

How long can a WhisperJot audio import be?

Up to 60 minutes per file, from Transcribe Audio File in the menu bar, for wav, mp3, m4a, aiff, and similar formats. With the local engines, processing is on-device and the transcript is stored in History. This imports a file you already have; WhisperJot does not capture calls or system audio. Live dictation sessions are capped separately at 30 minutes.

Sources

Vendor documentation.

Sources, checked 2026-09-01: Apple: View a transcription in Voice Memos, Apple: Record and transcribe audio in Notes, Microsoft: Transcribe your recordings in Word, Speech Note (dsnote). Vendor features change — check each product's documentation for current behavior.

Related: How to dictate on a Mac · How to dictate on Windows · Linux speech to text · App-by-app dictation guides · 30-second browser demo

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