To turn a Skype recording into text, download the MP4 and send it to the Potok bot on Telegram. Skype call recordings are saved in the chat as MP4 files for a limited period, so save them in time. Check the official help for the download steps. Files up to 2 GB work.
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
- The recording stays in the Skype chat only for a limited period, so the first job is to save it.
- The saved file is an MP4 video, and the bot reads the audio track.
- A call has several voices, so speaker labels separate them in the text.
- The official Skype help describes the download steps for your device.
How to do it
- Open the Skype chat. Find the call and the recording in the conversation.
- Save the file in time. Follow the official help to download the recording. Do it before the period ends, or it may be gone.
- Check the size. A long video call can be large. Near 2 GB, use the Upload button of the mini app.
- Send to the bot. Open @potok_now_bot and attach the MP4 as a document.
- Turn on labels. Speaker labels split the callers, and timestamps help you return to a moment. Export DOCX for notes.
What the result looks like
[00:00] Speaker 1: Can you hear me now? The connection was poor earlier.
[00:05] Speaker 2: Yes, it is clear. Shall we go through the contract?
[00:11] Speaker 1: Sure, start with the delivery dates.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Waiting too long to save the recording | The chat copy expires after a limited period. | Download it right after the call. |
| Forgetting to tell others about the recording | The speakers should know their voices are recorded and sent on. | Tell them before and after. |
| Expecting names in the text | The labels are numbers. | Map Speaker 1 and 2 to the participants. |
| Sending a Skype link | The bot reads files, so the link yields nothing. | Download the video first. |
More
See the full list of languages, the tools and the glossary.
Frequently asked questions
How long do Skype recordings stay available?
They are saved in the chat as MP4 files for a limited period. Check the official help for the exact time.
How do I download one?
The official Skype help has the steps, which depend on your device.
Can the bot read the video?
Yes. It transcribes the audio track of an MP4 file.
Is there a size limit?
Yes. Files up to 2 GB are accepted, and large ones go through Upload.
Can I get subtitles?
Yes. Export the text as SRT or VTT and load it as subtitles.
Sources
Each source was opened by hand on the date shown. Pages change, so open the source if a detail matters to you.
- Skype (Wikipedia), Wikipedia · checked
- MP4 file format, MPEG-4 Part 14 (Wikipedia), Wikipedia · checked
- Speaker diarisation (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