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Tap to record
Open QuickNotes and start recording with one tap. Place the phone near the speaker with the microphone unobstructed.
Record lectures on your iPhone and turn them into notes
Tap once to record. QuickNotes transcribes the lecture, summarizes it, and builds flashcards and a quiz, all organized by course.
Free to download · Made for iPhone
Your iPhone is already a lecture recorder
You do not need extra equipment to record a lecture. The phone in your pocket has a decent microphone, and with the right habits it can capture a lecture clearly enough to transcribe. What most students lack is a way to turn a long, unstructured recording into something they can use.
QuickNotes is a recording app designed for that second half of the job. Recording takes one tap. After that, the app transcribes what was said, writes a summary, and can create flashcards and a quiz for revision.
From tap to study notes
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Stop and transcribe
When the lecture ends, choose the language and transcribe. Then pick a concise or detailed summary.
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Organize and revise
File the recording under a course, add tags, and use Study mode to make flashcards and a quiz.
Before you record: get permission
Recording a lecture is not always allowed. Some instructors are happy to have recordings, some prefer not, and some schools have formal rules about it. Before you press record, check your school's policy, and ask the instructor directly. A short message before the first class is usually enough. If the class includes discussion, remember that other students' voices will be on the recording too.
This is general guidance and not legal advice. Rules differ between schools and places, so when in doubt, ask.
We have a longer walkthrough, including what to say, in how to record a lecture and ask permission.
Where to put your iPhone
Placement matters more than any setting. Use these rules of thumb:
- Sit near the front, and on the side with a clear line to the speaker.
- Put the phone flat on the desk or upright against a book, with the bottom edge (where the microphone usually is) pointing at the speaker.
- Keep it away from laptop fans, water bottles you might knock, and the edge of a desk where it can be nudged.
- Avoid covering it with notes or a hand, and do not put it in a bag.
- Make sure the phone has enough storage and battery for the whole session, and consider silencing notifications so they do not interrupt.
Import audio instead
If your lecture was recorded some other way, or you have an older voice memo, you can import it. QuickNotes accepts MP3, WAV, M4A, AAC, AIFF and FLAC audio files from your device. That is handy for material that was shared with you, for recordings from a meeting, or for files you kept from a previous term.
What happens after you record
A recording in QuickNotes is more than an audio file. Once you transcribe it, you can read it, search it, and generate a summary. From the summary, Study mode builds 10 flashcards and a 5-question quiz, saved with the recording. You can also:
- Sort recordings into courses, each with its own icon, and add tags.
- Search and filter by name, course, tag or date.
- Export or share recordings and summaries.
- Use dark mode for late-night revision.
See lecture transcription for the language options, and flashcards from lectures for the study side.
Tips for a clean recording
- Test first. Record ten seconds, play it back, and adjust your seat if the voice is faint.
- Note the topic aloud at the start (for example, the course and lecture number) if the lecturer allows. It helps when you review later.
- Mark important moments. Jot a quick timestamp or keyword in your notebook when the lecturer says something crucial.
- Name your recording right away so it is easy to find in your course folder.
Even so, an iPhone microphone cannot fix a very large hall, a quiet speaker or a noisy room, and transcription accuracy will drop when audio is poor. Recording is a backup to your attention, not a replacement for it.
Frequently asked questions
How do I record a lecture on my iPhone with QuickNotes?
Open the app and tap record. When you finish, choose the language, transcribe, and generate a summary.
Can I import audio I already have?
Yes. QuickNotes supports MP3, WAV, M4A, AAC, AIFF and FLAC files from your device.
Is it okay to record my lecturer?
It depends on your school's policy and your instructor's permission. Check the rules and ask first. This is general guidance and not legal advice.
Does QuickNotes work on Android?
QuickNotes is available for iPhone.
Can I organize recordings by class?
Yes. You can sort recordings into courses, add tags, and search by name, course, tag or date.
Is QuickNotes free?
It is free to download. Optional paid plans provide higher limits, which you can see in the app.
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