What is the best voice memo app for Android?

If you want transcripts and summaries on any Android phone, Wave AI records with one tap, transcribes in 76 languages with speaker labels, and syncs to iPhone, the web and desktop. If you have a Pixel and only need transcripts on that phone, Google's built-in Recorder app is free.

Which Android phones does Wave work on?

Wave works on any Android phone running Android 8.0 or later, from Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, Motorola and every other maker. It's free on Google Play.

Can Wave record voice memos with the screen off on Android?

Yes. Wave records in the background on Android. Lock your phone, switch apps, or put it in your pocket and recording continues. If you lose signal, the audio is saved on the phone and uploads when you're back online.

Does Wave replace my phone's built-in recorder?

Wave works alongside your phone's recorder; you don't need to uninstall anything. Many people switch to Wave for new memos because every recording comes back with a transcript, summary and search.

Can I import recordings from my old voice recorder app?

Yes. Share an audio file from your recorder or Files app to Wave, or import it from the Wave Home tab. Wave accepts common formats including M4A, MP3, WAV, AAC, AMR and OGG, and transcribes up to 10 hours per file.

Is Wave free on Android?

Yes. Wave's free plan includes 30 minutes of recording a month with full transcription and AI summaries. Pro is unlimited for $15 a month, $80 a year on the web, or $100 a year through Google Play.

The Voice Memo App Your Android Is Missing

Last updated: November 3, 2026

Wave AI is a free voice memo app for any Android phone running Android 8.0 or later: tap once to record, even with the screen off, and every memo comes back as a speaker-labeled transcript with an AI summary you can search. It also records from Wear OS watches and syncs to iPhone, the web, Mac and Windows.

Recording voice memos on Android

How do I record a voice memo on Android?

Most Android phones ship a recorder app from the phone maker: Recorder on Pixel, Voice Recorder on Samsung Galaxy. Open it and tap record. To get a transcript and summary on any Android phone, install Wave from Google Play and tap the record button instead.

Install Wave AI from Google Play and sign in.
Tap the record button. Lock the phone or switch apps if you like; recording continues.
Tap stop. Wave transcribes the memo, labels speakers and writes a summary.
Find it later by searching any word, or ask Wave a question about it.

Wave vs the recorder already on your phone

Google's Recorder app is for Pixel phones only; it transcribes, labels speakers on a Pixel 6 or later, and summarizes on a Pixel 8 or later. Built-in recorders are tied to one brand of phone. Wave works the same on every Android phone and keeps memos in one library you can also open on iPhone, the web and your computer.

Speaker labels on every memo, plus Voice ID to name people you record often.
Transcription in 76 languages.
One-tap recording from Galaxy Watch, Pixel Watch and other Wear OS watches.
Import old memos: share an audio file to Wave or import it from the Home tab.

Free tool: voice memo to text

The problems you know too well

The Default Recorder Depends on Your Phone

Pixel's Recorder and Samsung's Voice Recorder each work on their own brand of phone, with different features on different models. Wave gives every Android phone the same transcript, summary and search.

Recordings Pile Up With No Organization

A list of timestamped audio files tells you nothing. Wave auto-titles recordings, generates summaries, and lets you search by keyword across everything.

Memos Stuck on One Phone

Your voice memos live on one device. Wave syncs recordings, transcripts, and summaries across Android, iPhone, the web, and Wave for Mac and Windows.

Features

Everything you need to capture every conversation

One-Tap Recording

Open Wave, tap the button. Background recording works with the screen off or while you use other apps, and continues offline; it uploads when you're back online.

AI Transcription

Every recording is transcribed automatically in 76 languages, with speaker labels and timestamps, so you can read instead of re-listen.

Smart Summaries

Wave extracts key points and action items from every recording. Skim the summary to get the gist in 30 seconds.

Searchable Library

Search every transcript by word or phrase, or ask Wave a question across your recordings and get an answer that cites the line.

Wear OS Recording

Start a memo from a Galaxy Watch, Pixel Watch or other Wear OS watch. The recording passes to your phone and transcribes like any other.

Phone Call Recording

Place calls through Wave's Phone Bridge using your real number. Both sides are recorded and transcribed with speaker labels. Works on every plan; on Free, calls count toward the 30 minutes a month.

Perfect for

Quick voice memos and remindersMeetings and conference callsLectures and classesPhone conversationsInterviewsIdeas on the go

FAQs

Common questions

Wave Comes to Wear OS: Record From Your Watch

Wave now records directly from Wear OS smartwatches — Galaxy Watch, Pixel Watch, and more. Tap record on your wrist, capture a conversation, and it syncs to your Android phone automatically.

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.