What is the best audio recorder app for iPhone?

For plain audio, Apple's free Voice Memos app is fine, and on iPhone 12 or later it can show a basic transcript. If you want every recording transcribed with speaker labels, summarized and searchable across iPhone, Apple Watch, the web and your computer, Wave AI does that and is free to start.

How is Wave different from Voice Memos?

Voice Memos records audio and, on iPhone 12 or later in supported languages, shows a transcript. Wave adds speaker labels, an AI summary of every recording, 76 languages, search and chat across your whole library, and sync to Android, the web, Mac and Windows.

Does Wave work with Apple Watch?

Yes. Wave for Apple Watch (watchOS 10 or later) records from your wrist, even without your iPhone nearby. Recordings wait on the watch, then pass to Wave on your iPhone and are transcribed and summarized.

Can Wave record with the iPhone screen off?

Yes. Wave records in the background on iPhone. Lock your phone, switch to another app, or put it in your pocket and the recording continues.

Can I import my old Voice Memos into Wave?

Yes. In Voice Memos, open a recording, tap Share and choose Wave. Wave transcribes and summarizes it just like a live recording, up to 10 hours per file.

Is Wave free on iPhone?

Yes. Wave's free plan includes 30 minutes of recording a month with transcripts and summaries. Pro is unlimited for $15 a month, $100 a year in the App Store, or $80 a year on the web.

A Better Audio Recorder for Your iPhone

Last updated: November 3, 2026

Wave AI is a free audio recorder app for iPhone that turns every recording into a speaker-labeled transcript and an AI summary. Tap once to record, keep going with the screen locked or from your Apple Watch, then search or ask questions across everything you've recorded.

The problems you know too well

Voice Memos Stops at a Transcript

Since iOS 18, Voice Memos can transcribe on iPhone 12 and later in about ten languages. You still get one recording at a time, with no AI summary unless you have Apple Intelligence. Wave adds speaker labels, a summary of every recording and 76 languages.

Can't Find That One Recording

Scrolling through a list of "New Recording 47" is useless. Wave titles each recording from what was said and lets you search across every transcript, or ask a question and get an answer that cites the line.

No Speaker Labels in Voice Memos

In a multi-person recording, Voice Memos doesn't tell you who said what. Wave separates speakers automatically and, with Voice ID, names people you record often.

Features

Everything you need to capture every conversation

One-Tap Recording

Open Wave, tap record. Same simplicity as Voice Memos, with transcription, summaries, and search built in.

Background Recording

Lock your iPhone, switch apps, put your phone in your pocket. Wave keeps recording in the background, and keeps recording offline; the audio uploads when you're back online.

Apple Watch Recording

Start a recording from your wrist. Wave for Apple Watch records without your iPhone nearby and holds the recording until your phone is back in range.

Automatic Transcription

Every recording is transcribed after you stop, in 76 languages, with speaker labels and timestamps, ready to read.

AI Summaries

Wave summarizes every recording into key points and action items. Skim the summary instead of replaying an hour of audio.

Cross-Device Sync

Record on iPhone, read the transcript at app.wave.co or in Wave for Mac and Windows. Everything syncs automatically.

Perfect for

Voice memos and quick thoughtsIn-person meetingsLectures and classesPhone interviewsConversations you want to rememberApple Watch recordings on the go

FAQs

Common questions

All The Ways to Wave: Every Device, Every Scenario, One App

The complete guide to recording with Wave — iPhone, Android, Apple Watch, Wear OS, Desktop, Chrome Extension, Meeting Bots, Phone Calls, Web App, and Import. Every way to capture, transcribe, and summarize your conversations.

Record from Your Wrist: Wave on Apple Watch

Wave now records directly from your Apple Watch — no iPhone needed nearby. Tap record, capture a conversation, and it syncs automatically.

A Better Audio Recorder for Your iPhone

The problems you know too well

Voice Memos Stops at a Transcript

Can't Find That One Recording

No Speaker Labels in Voice Memos

Everything you need to capture every conversation

One-Tap Recording

Background Recording

Apple Watch Recording

Automatic Transcription

AI Summaries

Cross-Device Sync

Perfect for

Common questions

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Wave. Catch every word