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How to transcribe an interview
There are three ways to turn a recorded interview into text: use a transcription app (fastest), do it by hand (most control), or hire a human service (most expensive). This guide covers all three, plus how to get a clean transcript, how to handle consent, and how long it actually takes.
The fastest way: transcribe an interview with an app
For most people, a transcription app is the right answer — a draft in minutes instead of hours. Here is the flow with Attesta on iPhone:
- Tap record at the start of the interview. An audible tone plays so your interviewee knows it has started.
- Put the phone on the table between you, mic end facing up. Keep it off soft surfaces that muffle sound.
- Tap stop when you are done. The audio uploads and transcribes in the cloud.
- Read the transcript — speaker-labeled, with a summary, key topics, and quotes pulled out automatically.
- Fix names and jargon if needed, then export or copy the parts you want.
Because the words come back searchable, you can jump straight to the quote you need instead of scrubbing through audio. And nothing you record is ever used to train an AI model.
How to transcribe an interview by hand
If you want full control over every word, transcribe manually:
- Open your audio in a player that lets you slow playback and set hotkeys (or use a foot pedal).
- Play in short 5–10 second segments, type what you hear, then repeat.
- Label each speaker (for example, Interviewer: and Name:) and add timestamps at topic changes.
- Do a second pass with the audio to catch missed words and fix punctuation.
Manual transcription is accurate but slow — plan on four to six minutes of work per minute of audio. Many people record with an app, let it produce the draft, then hand-correct, which is far faster than starting from a blank page.
Tips for an accurate transcript
- Record close. Get the mic within a meter of both voices; distance is the number-one cause of errors.
- Cut the noise. Pick a quiet room, away from cafes, fans, and air conditioning.
- One voice at a time. Speaker labels and accuracy both suffer when people talk over each other.
- Say names and terms clearly early on, so the transcript gets them right.
Get consent before you record
Transcribing an interview is fine — as long as you have consent to record it. Laws vary: some places only need one party to agree, others require everyone. The simplest rule is to always tell your interviewee you are recording. Attesta makes that automatic with an audible tone at the start of every recording, so consent is never ambiguous.
How long does it take to transcribe an interview?
By hand, a clean 1-hour interview takes about 4–6 hours; a 2-hour interview, 8–12 hours. With a transcription app, the first draft of either is ready in a few minutes, and your only real work is light correction. That time saving is the whole reason apps exist.
Record an interview, get a speaker-labeled transcript plus a summary and quotes — with an audible consent tone, and never trained on your audio.
Download on theApp StoreFrequently asked questions
How do you transcribe an interview?
Record it clearly, then run the audio through a transcription app for a fast draft, or type it out manually in short segments. An app like Attesta gives you a speaker-labeled transcript plus a summary automatically.
Can ChatGPT transcribe an interview?
Not on its own — it needs a speech-to-text step first, and it does not handle speaker labels or timestamps. A dedicated transcription app does all of that in one pass.
Is it okay to transcribe an interview?
Yes, with consent to record. Recording laws vary by region; in two-party-consent areas everyone must agree. Always tell your interviewee — Attesta’s audible tone makes it clear.
How long does it take to transcribe a 2-hour interview?
By hand, roughly 8–12 hours. With an app, a few minutes for the first draft, then light correction.