Guide · Updated September 15, 2026 · 5 min read
How to Transcribe Audio to Text on Your Phone (2026 Guide)
A recording is only useful if you can find what was said. Listening back to an hour of audio to locate one sentence is slow; a transcript turns it into text you can search, quote, and skim. Here is how to transcribe audio to text on your phone, and how to get a clean result the first time.
TL;DR
To transcribe audio to text on your phone: record in an app like Soliqo, or import an existing audio file (MP3, M4A, WAV, AAC). The app turns speech into a searchable transcript and adds a structured summary with key points and action items, usually within a minute or two. Clear audio matters most. Soliqo works in 70+ languages, including Czech and Slovak.
How do you transcribe audio to text on a phone?
Record the audio in a transcription app, or import a file you already have, and the app converts speech to text automatically. You do not need to type anything or move files to a computer.
- 1
Record or import
In Soliqo tap New > Audio to record, or import an existing file such as a voice memo or an interview recording (MP3, M4A, WAV, or AAC).
- 2
Let it process
Stop the recording. The app transcribes it in the background, so you can keep working.
- 3
Read the transcript and the summary
You get the full transcript plus a structured summary: key points, decisions, and action items.
- 4
Search, copy, or export
Search the transcript for a name or a number, copy an exact quote, or export the notes as text or PDF.
Transcript or summary: which do you need?
Usually both. The transcript is every word — the source of truth for exact quotes. The summary is the structure you act on: what was said, what was decided, and who does what.
At a typical speaking pace, a one-hour recording produces roughly 8,000–9,000 words of transcript — far too long to read. Most people read the summary first and open the transcript only to check a detail, which is why Soliqo keeps both side by side.
How accurate is automatic transcription?
On clear audio in a supported language, modern speech recognition is accurate enough to work from directly. Accuracy drops with background noise, people talking over each other, and distance from the microphone.
- Put the phone close to whoever speaks most, ideally on a soft surface
- When you can, avoid tables next to loud music or an espresso machine
- For the parts that matter, ask people not to talk over each other
- Say names and numbers clearly — they are the hardest words to get right
- Check the transcript before quoting anyone word for word
Can it transcribe Czech?
Yes. Soliqo transcribes Czech, Slovak, and 70+ languages in total, and it can write the summary in a different language than the recording — for example, a Czech meeting summarized in English.
This is useful for mixed teams: record in the language people actually speak, then share the notes in the language the reader prefers.
What can you transcribe?
Anything with speech: meetings, phone calls on speaker, interviews, lectures, podcasts, voice memos, and your own dictated ideas.
For recordings of other people — interviews, calls, someone else’s talk — ask for consent before you record.
Frequently asked questions
Is transcribing audio free?
Soliqo has a free trial, then continues on a weekly or annual plan. Free tools exist, but they often cap the recording length or skip the summary.
Can I transcribe an iPhone voice memo?
Yes. Export the recording from Voice Memos as an audio file and import it into Soliqo, which accepts MP3, M4A, WAV, and AAC.
How long can the recording be?
Soliqo handles long recordings — hour-long meetings and lectures are fine. Longer files simply take a little longer to process.