To convert an M4A file to text, send it to the Potok bot on Telegram and the transcript comes back in the chat. M4A is audio stored in an MPEG-4 container, usually encoded with AAC, and it comes from phones, recorders and meeting tools. Files up to 2 GB are accepted. Export TXT, DOCX, PDF, SRT or VTT.
Transcribe a recording
Send your voice message, audio or video to @potok_now_bot on Telegram and the text comes back in the chat.
Open @potok_now_bot in Telegram
Files up to 2 GB · export to TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT and VTT · speaker labels and timestamps · about 30 languages
Key facts
- Voice Memos on iPhone saves recordings as M4A, and many Android recorders and meeting tools use it too.
- Purchased or protected audio, such as some audiobooks and music downloads, is locked and cannot be read.
- A file shown in your phone but not stored on it, such as one in cloud storage, may be only a placeholder.
- Chapters inside an M4A are one file, so the transcript runs through the whole recording.
How to do it
- Make sure the file is really on the device. Open the recording and press play. A greyed icon or a download arrow means it is still in the cloud.
- Check that it is not protected. A recording you made yourself is fine. Audio bought from a store with copy protection will not work.
- Send it to Telegram. Share it to the chat with @potok_now_bot, or attach it as a document from the file picker.
- Pick labels. For a meeting export, turn on speaker labels. Timestamps help for long ones.
- Export. Choose TXT for notes or SRT for a video that will use the recording as a sound track.
What the result looks like
[00:00] Speaker 1: Can everyone hear me? I will share the agenda in a second.
[00:04] Speaker 2: We hear you, go ahead.
[00:07] Speaker 1: First point is the delivery date.
Sample text written by us to show the layout of a transcript. It is not the output of the recognition engine and not a real recording.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Where it works | Telegram bot @potok_now_bot; large files go through the bot's mini app |
| File size | Up to 2 GB |
| Export | TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT, VTT |
| Speakers and time | Speaker labels and timestamps can be switched on |
| Languages | About 30 languages with good published results; a few more with warnings |
| Translation | The transcript is not translated into another language |
| Dictation | A separate Potok desktop app lets you dictate text into any program; it recognises Russian speech |
Common mistakes
| Mistake | What happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Sending a placeholder that has not downloaded | The upload fails or the file turns out to be a few kilobytes. | Download the recording to the device first. |
| Trying to transcribe protected audio | Copy protection blocks reading the sound. | Use recordings you made or have the right to use in an unprotected form. |
| Trimming the memo in an app that re-saves it with heavy compression | The saved copy loses detail. | Trim on a computer with the original quality setting, or send the whole memo. |
| Splitting a meeting file in the middle of a sentence | The text of two parts does not join cleanly. | Cut in a pause, or send the whole file. |
More
See the full list of languages, the tools and the glossary.
Frequently asked questions
What is an M4A file?
It is audio stored in an MPEG-4 container, usually encoded with AAC.
Where do M4A files come from?
Voice Memos on iPhone, many Android recorders and meeting tools. They also appear as downloads.
Why will my M4A not upload?
It may be a cloud placeholder that is not stored on the device, or a protected file that cannot be read.
Is M4A better than MP3 for transcription?
Neither is better in itself. A clear voice and little noise matter more than the container.
How long can the M4A be?
Files up to 2 GB are supported, and a long transcript arrives as a file.
Sources
Each source was opened by hand on the date shown. Pages change, so open the source if a detail matters to you.
- MP4 file format, MPEG-4 Part 14 (Wikipedia), Wikipedia · checked
- Bit rate (Wikipedia), Wikipedia · checked
Try it on your own recording
Send your voice message, audio or video to @potok_now_bot on Telegram and the text comes back in the chat.
Open @potok_now_bot in Telegram