.M4A
M4A to text — transcribe .m4a recordings
Upload any .m4a file in the Chrome side panel and get accurate, editable text in seconds — in 110+ languages.
What is an M4A file, and where do they come from?
M4A is Apple's favorite audio wrapper — an MPEG-4 container carrying AAC audio. Every recording you make in iPhone Voice Memos exports as .m4a, and so do GarageBand bounces, many Android recorder apps, and most modern dictaphones. It's a high-quality format, but plenty of transcription tools still ask you to convert it to MP3 first. Voice to Text doesn't: drop the .m4a in as-is and get your transcript. If your memo lives on your phone, the voice memo guide shows the quickest way to get it onto your computer.
How it works
From .m4a to text in three steps
Open the side panel
Click the Voice to Text icon in Chrome. The panel opens next to any page and switches to Upload mode with one tap.
Drop in your .m4a file
Drag the memo into the panel — up to 200 MB, which covers hours of audio. Whisper AI transcribes it, then the audio is deleted immediately.
Edit, copy, or download
Your transcript appears in the panel. Fix a word here or there, then copy it into your notes or download it as text.
Your voice memos, readable at last
No account needed. Audio deleted immediately after transcription.
Add to ChromeM4A questions
How do I get a Voice Memo off my iPhone?
Open Voice Memos, tap the recording, tap share, and AirDrop it to your Mac or email it to yourself. Step-by-step: Transcribe voice memos.
Is M4A the same as AAC or MP4?
They're close relatives: M4A is an MPEG-4 container holding AAC audio — essentially an MP4 without video. Voice to Text accepts all three, so the label doesn't matter.
Will long recordings work?
Yes — files up to 200 MB upload, which is hours of .m4a audio. Lectures, interviews, and rambling memos all come back as one editable transcript.
What happens to my file after transcription?
It's processed securely and deleted immediately after transcription. Only your text transcript remains.