Transcribe Audio Files on Mac

This guide is for people who already have an audio file and want a clean transcript without recording live. It shows how to use TypingVoi's file transcription screen, what the status badges mean, and how to review and copy the result when the run finishes.

Before you start

File transcription is not part of the free one-profile workflow. You can use it during the 14-day trial or with Pro. If the page shows a Pro message instead of the transcription controls, start the trial or activate Pro first.

You will also need:

• one local audio file on your Mac
• one installed speech-to-text model that matches the language you want to transcribe

If you have not installed a matching model yet, do that before you begin.

1. Open the Transcribe File page

Open TypingVoi, go to Settings, and choose Transcribe File from the sidebar.

Screenshot placeholder: Transcribe File page in Settings with the Language picker, Installed Model picker, and Choose Audio File button visible

This page is built for saved audio, not live dictation. Instead of typing into another app automatically, it lets you review the transcript in place and copy the text when you are ready.

2. Choose the language you want to transcribe

Start with the Language picker.

• Choose a specific language when you already know what the speaker is using.
• Choose Auto when you want TypingVoi to detect the language from the file.

If you use Auto, TypingVoi can still show the detected language after the run finishes. That is useful when you are checking mixed or uncertain source material.

3. Choose an installed model

Next, use the Installed Model picker. This list only shows models that are already installed and compatible with the language selection above.

Practical rules:

• If the picker is empty, install a compatible model first.
• If you changed the language and the model list shrank, that is expected. TypingVoi filters the list to matching installed models.
• If you want the fastest path, start with the model you already use successfully for the same language in live dictation.

4. Pick the audio file and start transcription

Click Choose Audio File, then select the saved audio file you want to transcribe. TypingVoi starts the run after you confirm the file.

Use this workflow:

1. Open Settings > Transcribe File.
2. Choose the language.
3. Choose the installed model.
4. Click Choose Audio File.
5. Select the file and confirm with Transcribe.

After the file is accepted, the page switches into a running state and the status badge updates as work progresses.

5. Read the status badge while the run is in progress

The status badge is the fastest way to tell what TypingVoi is doing.

• Preparing means the app is opening and preparing the audio.
• Transcribing means the speech-to-text model is actively turning the audio into text.
• Post-processing means TypingVoi is finishing transcript cleanup steps before showing the result.
• Delivering is a general workflow stage, but on this page the final result is kept for review instead of being typed into another app.

When the run finishes successfully, the page moves out of the loading state and the result area becomes the main thing to review.

6. Check the file name, detected language, and timing details

Under the controls, TypingVoi shows a short summary panel for the most recent run.

This area helps you confirm:

• which file was transcribed
• whether a detected language was returned
• how long transcription took
• how long the full run took

If you chose Auto and see a detected language pill, use that as a quick confidence check before you reuse the text elsewhere.

7. Review the transcript and copy the result

When the run completes, the Transcribed Text panel fills with the result. Use this panel to read through the transcript before you paste it anywhere else.

Screenshot placeholder: Completed Transcribe File result showing the selected file name, final status badge, detected language pill, and Copy Text button above the transcript panel

On this page:

• the transcript stays in Settings for review
• the Copy Text button copies the visible result to your clipboard
• you can select text directly in the panel if you only need part of the transcript

This workflow is especially useful for long files because you can inspect the result first instead of pushing text straight into another app.

8. Run the same file again when you want to compare results

Use Transcribe Again when you want to rerun the last selected file without reopening the file picker.

This is helpful when:

• you changed the language from Auto to a specific language
• you want to compare two installed models
• the first run failed and you want to retry quickly

Change one thing at a time before rerunning. That makes it much easier to tell whether a better result came from the language choice, the model choice, or both.

9. What to do when the page is unavailable or empty

The most common blockers are simple:

• If you see a Pro callout, file transcription is locked until you start the 14-day trial or activate Pro.
• If the model picker says there is no compatible installed model, install one that matches your chosen language.
• If a run ends with an error badge, try the same file again after confirming the language and model choice.

If you mainly work from saved interviews, podcasts, or voice memos, keep one reliable model installed for that language instead of switching models constantly.

Related guides

• Download and Manage Models
• Choose Languages, Models, and Custom Vocabulary
• Use TypingVoi for Podcasts, Interviews, and Voice Memos
• Understand Free Trial and Pro Features

Best next step

If this transcript is for repeated long-form work, set up a dedicated file-transcription profile and model strategy in Choose Languages, Models, and Custom Vocabulary.