Convert your M4A files to text. The iPhone memo format, transcribed without conversion.
M4A is the file that comes out of Voice Memos on iPhone and iPad and from many recording apps. Verlio transcribes it directly: no converting to MP3, no software, just the final document in Word or PDF.
How it works — in 3 steps.
Export the M4A file: in Voice Memos tap "Share" and save it to Files, or send it via AirDrop or email. From other apps, just save the recording.
Upload it to Verlio from your browser, phone included. Choose the document language, AI cleanup and, if needed, the Structured Document with a summary and key points.
Download the text as Word or PDF. If several people speak in the file, every contribution is already attributed to the right speaker.
What the M4A format is and where it comes from.
M4A is the audio container of the MPEG-4 family, usually with AAC encoding: it's the default format of the Apple ecosystem. Every voice memo recorded on an iPhone or iPad, many third-party app recordings and audio exported from GarageBand come out as .m4a. At equal file size it sounds better than MP3, which is why Apple adopted it everywhere.
The classic problem is that many transcription services demand conversion to MP3 or WAV first: a pointless step that wastes time and, sometimes, quality. With Verlio you upload the M4A as-is and get the document directly.
How to transcribe an M4A for free?
Short voice memos are the perfect use case: under 10 minutes, transcription on Verlio is always free, with no card and no quantity limits. At signup you also receive 1 hour of free trial for longer files.
For heavy recorders — iPhone interviews, lectures, dictation — credits start at €5 with 1 credit per 30 minutes of audio, no subscription. Files can exceed 6 hours, so even a continuous recording of an entire morning uploads in one go.
From voice memo to finished document.
The literal transcript of a dictated memo is almost always unreadable: broken sentences, repetitions, mid-course corrections. Verlio's AI cleanup tidies the text while keeping the content, and the context document lets you teach the AI the proper names and technical terms of your work.
If the M4A is in another language — an interview recorded on your phone abroad, for example — you can have the document delivered directly in English: translation across 35+ languages is included in the price. All processing happens on servers in the European Union, in compliance with the GDPR.
Frequently asked questions.
Do I have to convert the M4A to MP3 before uploading?
No. Verlio reads M4A natively: upload the file exactly as it comes out of Voice Memos and get the document, no intermediate steps.
Can I upload the file straight from my iPhone?
Yes, Verlio works from the phone's browser: export the memo to Files and upload it from Safari, no computer needed.
How much does a 30-minute M4A cost to transcribe?
1 credit — that's €1 with the basic €5 pack. Under 10 minutes is always free, and at signup you get 1 free trial hour with no card.
Is voice memo quality good enough for a solid transcript?
Usually yes: the microphones on recent iPhones are excellent. For recordings in noisy environments, Verlio's AI models hold up well against background noise and distant voices.
Can I get a summary and key points instead of the full text?
Yes: the Structured Document includes a summary, key points, thematic sections and a glossary, alongside the complete transcript.
You might also need.
Try it on your own file, right now.
Upload an audio or video file, choose the document language and download the result as Word or PDF. Your first hour is free and we never ask for a card.