How to Use Audio Transcription in iOS 18 Notes

With iOS 18, Apple introduced native audio recording paired with real-time live transcription directly inside the Notes app. This feature enables users to capture lectures, meetings, and voice memos while watching their spoken words convert to text in real time. Beyond basic transcription, the tool integrates deeply with note-taking workflows, allowing text searching, quote extraction, and automated summaries powered by Apple Intelligence.

How to Start an Audio Recording

To begin recording audio within the Notes app:

  1. Open an existing note or create a new one.
  2. Tap the Paperclip (attachment) icon on the toolbar.
  3. Select Record Audio.
  4. Tap the red Record button to begin capturing audio.

Real-Time Live Transcription

Once recording begins, the Notes app processes your voice and displays a synchronized transcript on the screen.

  • On-Device Processing: Transcription happens directly on your device, ensuring privacy and allowing the feature to function without an active internet connection.
  • Synchronized Playback: When reviewing the recording later, tapping on any part of the transcript immediately jumps the audio playback to that exact timestamp.
  • Language Support: The transcription feature initially supports English (US, UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, and South Africa), with additional languages rolling out over time.

Interacting with the Transcript

The transcription is not locked into an isolated player; it functions as a functional part of your note:

  • Copy to Note: You can select specific sentences or the entire transcript and add it directly to the main body of your note as standard text.
  • In-Note Search: The text inside audio transcripts is indexed by iOS. You can use the standard search tool inside Notes or system-wide Spotlight search to locate specific spoken words across all your recorded notes.
  • Exporting: Transcripts can be copied, shared, or exported alongside standard text formats.

Apple Intelligence Summaries

On devices that support Apple Intelligence (iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPhone 16 models), the Notes app can generate automated summaries of your recordings.

Once a recording finishes, tap the summary icon at the top of the transcript. Apple Intelligence will analyze the spoken content and produce a concise overview, key takeaways, or bullet points directly at the top of the note.

Compatibility and Requirements

Live audio transcription is available on any iPhone capable of running iOS 18 (iPhone XR, XS, and later). However, automated transcript summarization requires a device compatible with Apple Intelligence running the appropriate regional settings.