TLDLGuide · updated September 30, 2026
How to transcribe a WhatsApp voice message to text (and get a summary)
In short: in WhatsApp open Settings → Chats → Voice message transcripts and turn them on, then long-press a voice message and choose Transcribe. If you only need the gist, with dates and to-dos, forward the voice message to TLDL.
A five-minute voice message always arrives at the wrong moment: in a meeting, on the train, somewhere noisy. There are two ways to read it instead of listening to it. The first is free and already inside WhatsApp. The second helps when the full text is too long to be useful.
1. WhatsApp's built-in transcripts
Since 2024 WhatsApp can turn voice messages into text right on your phone (official announcement). It is off by default: you need to turn it on once.
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings: on iPhone it is at the bottom right, on Android in the three-dot menu.
- Open Chats.
- Turn on Voice message transcripts and choose the language the voice messages you receive are usually spoken in.
- Open a chat, long-press the voice message and tap Transcribe. The text appears under the message.
Menu names can change slightly from one version of the app to another.
Good to know:
- Transcription happens on your phone: the voice message is not sent to WhatsApp or anyone else.
- On iPhone you need iOS 16 or later with Siri enabled.
- Available languages depend on your phone, and the Android list is shorter: check that your language is there.
- You get the full text: a five-minute voice message becomes a whole page to read.
2. When a transcript is not enough
A transcript keeps everything, including repetitions, "so, anyway…" and detours. When the voice message is long, the time or address you needed stays buried in the middle of the text, just like in the audio. Often you don't need to know everything that was said, only what happened, what you are asked to do and by when.
3. A summary with TLDL
TLDL is a WhatsApp contact you forward the voice message to. Within seconds it replies with a summary that keeps every piece of information, followed by the to-dos.
- Long-press the voice message and tap Forward.
- Choose TLDL from your contacts.
- Get the summary as a reply to the voice message, in the same chat.
The audio is processed and then discarded, and the summary text is deleted from our systems as soon as it has been delivered to you. The details are in the privacy policy.
Transcript or summary: which one to choose
| WhatsApp transcript | Summary with TLDL | |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | The full text of the voice message | The condensed content, plus the to-dos |
| Where it happens | On your phone | On our servers in Europe and at AI providers; the audio is not stored |
| Languages | Depend on your phone | A great many; the summary is in the language of the voice message |
| Cost | Free | 10 free summaries to start |
| Best for | Short voice messages, or when every word matters | Long, detailed, work voice messages |
Frequently asked questions
Can I read a voice message without listening to it?
Yes: WhatsApp's transcript gives you the full text, TLDL a summary. In neither case do you have to play the audio.
Are WhatsApp transcripts private?
Yes, they are made on your phone. With TLDL the voice message is processed on our servers and by artificial intelligence providers, without being stored.
If I forward a voice message to TLDL, does the sender find out?
No. Forwarding a voice message does not notify the person who recorded it.
What if the voice message is longer than 30 minutes?
WhatsApp transcripts work with long voice messages too. TLDL currently summarizes voice messages up to 30 minutes.
If long voice messages are a daily problem, read also how to deal with WhatsApp voice messages that are too long.
More guides
-
WhatsApp voice messages too long? 5 ways to deal with them
Play them at 2x, keep listening outside the chat, read them, get the gist, or kindly ask for shorter ones: what to do when voice messages go on forever.