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Record or import
Tap record in class, or import audio from your device. MP3, WAV, M4A, AAC, AIFF and FLAC files are supported.
A lecture transcription app that helps you actually study
Record a lecture or import audio you already have. QuickNotes transcribes it in the language you choose, writes a summary, and builds flashcards and a quiz from it.
Free to download · 14 languages · iPhone
What a lecture transcription app should do
If you have ever tried to transcribe a lecture by hand, you know the problem. An hour of talking becomes hours of pausing, rewinding and typing, and by the end you have a wall of text you still need to make sense of. A good lecture transcription app removes the typing, but the best ones also help with what comes next: finding the important parts and remembering them.
QuickNotes is built around that whole path. You record (or import) a lecture, pick the language it was spoken in, and get a transcript. From the transcript you get an AI summary, either concise or detailed. From the summary you can build flashcards and a multiple-choice quiz. Everything is saved with the recording, so you can come back to it before an exam.
Transcribe a lecture in three steps
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Choose the language
Pick the language spoken in the recording. QuickNotes transcribes lectures in 14 languages.
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Read, summarize, study
Read the transcript, get a concise or detailed summary, then turn it into flashcards and a quiz.
Transcripts are the raw material, not the finished notes
A full transcript is useful for one thing above all: it lets you search and check. If you cannot remember what the lecturer said about a particular formula or case, a transcript lets you find the exact passage instead of scrubbing through audio. But nobody wants to revise from 9,000 words of spoken language, with its false starts and tangents.
That is why QuickNotes adds a summary layer. The concise option gives you the main points for a quick refresh. The detailed option keeps more of the reasoning and examples, which suits dense subjects. You can look at the transcript when you need the exact wording and at the summary when you need the shape of the lecture.
Choose the language before you transcribe
Speech recognition works best when it knows what language to expect, so QuickNotes has you pick it. The 14 options are: English, Cantonese, Mandarin (Simplified and Traditional), Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Arabic and Hindi.
This is helpful for students in multilingual settings, for example a lecture delivered in Cantonese with English terms, or a language class where the target language changes from week to week. See our page on Cantonese transcription for more on that case, and choose the language that makes up most of the recording.
Get a better transcript with a better recording
Transcription accuracy depends heavily on audio quality. No app can reliably transcribe what it cannot hear. A few habits make a real difference:
- Sit close to the speaker. Distance and room echo are the biggest problems in a lecture hall. The front third of the room is usually best.
- Keep the phone still and uncovered. Put it on the desk with the microphone facing the speaker, not in a bag or under a notebook.
- Reduce nearby noise. Rustling paper, typing and whispering next to the phone all compete with the lecturer's voice.
- Do a 10-second test. Record a short clip and play it back before the lecture starts.
Our guide to recording a lecture and asking permission goes into more detail.
Turn the transcript into revision material
Once a recording has a summary, Study mode can build 10 flashcards and a 5-question multiple-choice quiz from it. They are saved with the recording, and you can regenerate a fresh set whenever you like. Read more on the flashcards page, or see how we suggest combining recordings with active recall in the best way to study from lecture recordings.
You can also organize recordings into courses, add tags, search for a recording, and export or share what you need.
Who it is for
- University and college students who want a searchable record of each lecture.
- Students learning in a second language who want to re-read what was said.
- Study groups sharing a summary of a session that someone missed.
- Anyone who wants a transcript of a talk, workshop or seminar they are allowed to record.
Please check first. Some lecturers and schools do not allow recording, or require permission. Check your school's policy and ask the instructor. This is a courtesy and a practical step, not legal advice.
Limits worth knowing
Automatic transcription can make mistakes, especially with heavy background noise, overlapping speakers, unusual names and specialist vocabulary. Treat the transcript as a strong first draft, and check anything important (dates, figures, formulas) against your slides or textbook. QuickNotes is free to download; some features and higher usage limits are part of optional paid plans that you can see in the app.
Frequently asked questions
Can QuickNotes transcribe a lecture I already recorded?
Yes. You can import audio in MP3, WAV, M4A, AAC, AIFF or FLAC format from your device and transcribe it.
Which languages can I transcribe lectures in?
You can choose from English, Cantonese, Mandarin (Simplified and Traditional), Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Arabic and Hindi.
How accurate is the transcript?
Accuracy depends on audio quality, the speaker, and the vocabulary. Clear audio recorded close to the speaker gives the best results. Always double-check key facts and figures.
Do I get a summary as well as a transcript?
Yes. Each recording can be summarized in a concise or detailed style, and the summary can be turned into flashcards and a quiz.
Is it free?
QuickNotes is free to download. Optional paid plans offer higher limits, and you can see the details inside the app.
Is it allowed to record my lectures?
It depends on your school and your instructor. Check the policy and ask for permission before recording. This is general guidance, not legal advice.
Keep reading
Ready to try it on your next lecture?
Download QuickNotes, record or import audio, and get a transcript, summary and study set.
Download on the App Store