Your iPhone's Secret AI Note Taker — No Code!

3 min read 2 months ago
Published on Jun 02, 2025 This response is partially generated with the help of AI. It may contain inaccuracies.

Introduction

In this tutorial, you will learn how to create a powerful AI note-taking system using only native Apple apps, specifically Apple Shortcuts, Voice Memos, and Notes. This method allows you to automate the transcription and summarization of your voice notes without the need for any third-party software, ensuring a seamless and privacy-focused experience.

Step 1: Setting Up the Basic Shortcut

  1. Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone.
  2. Create a new shortcut by tapping the "+" button.
  3. Add the following actions to your shortcut
    • Record a Voice Memo: Use the "Record Audio" action to capture your voice notes.
    • Transcribe Audio: Use the "Transcribe" action to convert your voice memo into text.
    • Save to Notes: Use the "Create Note" action to save the transcribed text into the Notes app.

Step 2: Testing Your First AI Note

  1. Run the shortcut you just created.
  2. Speak clearly into your device to record a voice memo.
  3. Once the recording is complete, check the Notes app to see if your voice memo has been successfully transcribed and saved.

Step 3: Enhanced Storage Solution

  • Consider organizing your notes by creating specific folders in the Notes app.
  • Use tags or keywords in your notes to make them easier to search later.

Step 4: Saving AI Notes to Home Screen

  1. In the Shortcuts app, tap on the three dots in the upper right corner of your shortcut.
  2. Select "Add to Home Screen."
  3. Customize the name and icon, then tap "Add" to place it on your home screen for easy access.

Step 5: Testing AI Voice Notes with Apple Notes

  1. Use the shortcut to record another voice memo.
  2. Confirm that the transcription appears in the Notes app.
  3. Check for any errors in transcription and edit as needed.

Step 6: Adding AI Notes to Notion

  1. If you also use Notion, you can manually copy the transcribed notes from the Notes app into your Notion workspace.
  2. For easier integration, consider using Notion's API with Shortcuts to automate this process.

Step 7: Handling Lock Screen Issues

  • Ensure that your shortcut is accessible from the lock screen by enabling the appropriate settings in the Shortcuts app.
  • This allows for quick access to note-taking even when your phone is locked.

Step 8: Using Voice Memos Integration

  1. Use the Voice Memos app to record longer notes if needed.
  2. Integrate with the Shortcuts app to transcribe these longer recordings just like you did with the initial voice memos.

Step 9: Demonstrating Voice Memos & Transcription

  • After recording a voice memo, run your shortcut to see the transcription process in action.
  • Review the text for accuracy and adjust your speaking style if necessary to improve future transcriptions.

Step 10: Adding Shortcuts to Control Center

  1. Go to Settings > Control Center.
  2. Tap on "Customize Controls."
  3. Add Shortcuts to your Control Center for quick access.

Final Tips

  • Regularly check your Notes app to ensure everything is organized.
  • Experiment with different speaking speeds and tones to find what works best for transcription accuracy.
  • Explore additional functionalities of the Shortcuts app to enhance your note-taking system.

Conclusion

By leveraging Apple’s native apps, you can build an efficient and privacy-focused AI note-taking system. With the steps outlined, you can easily record, transcribe, and store your notes directly on your iPhone. Consider exploring further integrations and enhancing your system with additional shortcuts for a more comprehensive experience.