07/17/2026
Do you have difficulty hearing conversations? This tip is for you!
If you have difficulty hearing, your iPhone has several excellent ways to transcribe conversations in real time. Which option is best depends on whether you're talking with one person, in a group, or at a distance.
1. Live Captions (Best for everyday conversations)
If your iPhone supports it (iPhone 11 or newer running a recent version of iOS), Live Captions can display spoken words as text almost instantly.
To turn it on:
Open Settings.
Tap Accessibility.
Tap Live Captions.
Turn on Live Captions.
A floating caption window appears while people are speaking. You can move it anywhere on the screen.
2. Live Transcribe (One of the best options)
Google's Live Transcribe app is excellent for people with hearing loss. It:
Produces highly accurate live captions.
Works well in conversations.
Identifies different sounds (applause, laughter, doorbell, etc.).
Saves recent transcripts temporarily.
Download it from the App Store and simply open it before your conversation.
3. Apple's Live Listen (If you wear hearing aids or AirPods)
If you use compatible hearing aids or AirPods:
Open Control Center.
Add Hearing if it isn't already there.
Tap the ear icon.
Turn on Live Listen.
Place your iPhone closer to the person speaking, and the audio is sent directly to your hearing devices.
4. Voice Memos + Transcript
If you're in a lecture, meeting, or doctor's appointment:
Open Voice Memos.
Start recording.
On supported iPhones and iOS versions, you can view an automatically generated transcript while or after recording.
This works well if you want to review what was said later.
5. ChatGPT Voice Mode
You can also use ChatGPT's Voice Mode to listen to a conversation and summarize or explain parts you may have missed. It's not intended to serve as a dedicated real-time captioning system, but it can be helpful for clarification.
Tips for the best results
Place the phone between you and the speaker, about 1–3 feet away.
Reduce background noise when possible.
In groups, put the phone in the center of the table.
Use landscape orientation if it makes the text easier to read.
Increase Text Size in Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size if needed.