Convert voice notes to MP3 (WhatsApp, Telegram & Recorder)

Voice notes from apps like WhatsApp and Telegram are very convenient, but they’re often stored in formats such as OPUS, OGG or AMR/M4A/WAV. They’re efficient, but not every player, car stereo or computer knows how to open them.

Converting your voice notes to MP3 gives you maximum compatibility and makes it easier to share, archive, edit or transcribe your recordings. In this guide you’ll see how to do it online from Android, iPhone and PC/Mac, which quality (kbps) to choose, and how to avoid the most common problems.

Why convert voice notes to MP3?

• Play anywhere: MP3 works on almost every phone, computer, TV, car stereo and smart speaker.
• Easy sharing: you can send MP3 files by email, messaging apps or upload them to the cloud.
• Editing & transcription: editors and transcription tools usually support MP3 much better than OPUS/AMR.
• Backup important notes: saving key messages as MP3 prevents them from being lost if you change phone or delete chats.
• Organization: once in MP3, it’s easier to rename files with date + topic and keep them in clear folders.

Quick steps (mobile or PC)

1. Export the voice note from your app (Share/Forward → Save file).
2. Upload the file to the converter (OPUS, OGG, AMR, M4A, WAV, 3GP…).
3. Choose the quality (typically 64–128 kbps for speech) and click Convert.
4. Download the MP3 and test playback on your target device.

By source app and format

Depending on the app or recorder, your voice notes will come in different formats. Here’s how they usually map:

• WhatsApp → usually .opus → convert OPUS to MP3. It’s the most common format for WhatsApp voice messages.
• Telegram → .ogg or .opus → use the same OPUS/OGG to MP3 converter.
• Older recorders / feature phones → .amr → convert AMR to MP3 for better compatibility.
• iPhone (Voice Memos) → .m4a → convert M4A to MP3 to use the files on any device.
• Uncompressed recorders → .wav → convert WAV to MP3 and save a lot of space.

Device-specific guides

Android

1. In WhatsApp/Telegram, long-press the audio → Share → Save to Downloads or Save to Files.
2. Open the converter in Chrome and upload the saved file.
3. Select 64–128 kbps (mono) for pure speech, or a bit more if there’s background music.
4. Tap Convert and then download the MP3 to your phone.
5. From there, you can share it again by WhatsApp, email or upload it to Drive/Dropbox.

iPhone (iOS)

1. In WhatsApp/Telegram, tap and hold the voice note → Share → Save to Files.
2. Open Safari and go to the online converter.
3. Upload the file from the Files app and choose your preferred bitrate.
4. Download the resulting MP3 back into Files or send it directly via WhatsApp/email from the browser.

PC/Mac

1. From WhatsApp Web or Telegram Desktop, download the audio file (.opus/.ogg in most cases).
2. Open the converter in your browser and upload the file.
3. Choose 64–128 kbps for speech; if the note includes music you can go up to 160–192 kbps.
4. Convert and save the MP3. Then you can file it, email it or import it into your audio editor.

Which quality (kbps) should I choose?

For voice, you don’t need extremely high bitrates. A well-chosen MP3 setting will give you clear speech and small files, perfect for long interviews or meetings.

Tips for best results

• Normalize volume if it’s too quiet (e.g., with Audacity) after converting to MP3 so all your notes play at similar loudness.
• Avoid multiple lossy re-encodes (OPUS → MP3 → MP3…). Try to convert once to your final bitrate.
• Use mono for speech-only content: it halves the data compared to stereo without hurting intelligibility.
• Test on your target device: if you plan to use the MP3 in a car or specific player, do a quick test playback there.
• Name and organize your files with date + topic: 2025-08-28-interview-javier.mp3, 2025-09-02-meeting-summary.mp3.
• If the MP3 is still too big, use the MP3 to smaller MP3 tool and lower the bitrate a bit more.

Troubleshooting: common issues

• The file won’t play: make sure you downloaded the final .mp3 and not the original .opus/.amr. Try another player or device.
• Volume is too low: it may already be quiet in the original note. Normalize or amplify the MP3 in an editor.
• The audio sounds “metallic” or “underwater”: you probably chose a very low bitrate. Reconvert from the original with a slightly higher kbps.
• File is still too large: lower the bitrate (for speech you can usually go to 64–96 kbps), or cut silence and irrelevant parts before converting.
• For more problems with audio on your phone (files that won’t open, strange formats, etc.), check the common mobile audio issues guide .

Related resources

• Convert WhatsApp audios to MP3
• Guide: WhatsApp audios to MP3
• Guide: convert audio to MP3
• Guide: transfer voice notes to PC
• OPUS/OGG to MP3
• AMR to MP3
• M4A to MP3
• WAV to MP3