1. Record — or reuse what you already have
Simply Transcribe records directly in the app, but you don't have to start from scratch. If the audio already exists — in Voice Memos, Files, or another app — share it to Simply Transcribe from the share sheet and it transcribes the file on your device.
2. Pick the language yourself
Most transcription apps auto-detect the language and guess wrong on short clips or less common languages. Simply Transcribe asks once, remembers your default, and lets you override it per recording — so the first transcript is already in the right language. On iPhones with 6GB of RAM or more, 25 languages are supported; lower-memory devices transcribe in English.
3. Transcribe with zero signal
Transcription runs entirely on your iPhone. Airplane mode changes nothing — the app works the same on a flight as it does at your desk. Recordings under five minutes transcribe free at full accuracy; a single one-time purchase (no subscription) unlocks any length.
4. Read, replay, search, export
The transcript stays synchronized with the audio: tap any sentence to hear that exact moment. When you're done, export through the standard iOS share sheet to Notes, email, or any app that accepts text. Nothing leaves the phone unless you explicitly share it — and Settings includes an Erase All Recordings and Transcripts action when you want a clean slate.
Why offline transcription matters for voice memos
Voice memos are where people put unfiltered thoughts, personal reminders, and other people's voices. Keeping both the audio and the text on your device means there's no server copy, no account to breach, and no vendor who can see what you said — because nothing was ever sent.