# Import audio files on iOS and Android

> Send audio from WhatsApp, Files, or any app into Canto with the share sheet or open-with — imported files transcribe like recordings.

Updated: 2026-08-16 · Canonical: https://usecanto.com/help/recording/import-audio-ios-android/

You can bring existing audio into Canto instead of recording it: share a file from any app — WhatsApp, Viber, Files, a voice recorder — and choose Canto. The file uploads to your library and goes through the same pipeline as a recording: transcription, speaker separation, summary, chat.

## On iOS

1. In the app holding the audio (WhatsApp voice note, Files, Voice Memos export, an email attachment), tap share.
2. Choose **Canto** in the share sheet. If it's not visible, scroll the app row to the end, tap **More**, and enable Canto.
3. The file is handed to Canto and uploads to your account; it appears in your library and starts transcribing.

This works anywhere iOS offers a share sheet for an audio file, which covers most messaging apps and file providers.

## On Android

Two equivalent paths:

- **Share** — select the audio in any app, tap share, choose Canto.
- **Open with** — tap an audio file in a file manager or download list and pick Canto to open it.

There's also an **Import audio** button inside the app that opens the system file picker.

## What happens to an imported file?

The same thing that happens to a recording after you stop it: **Uploading**, **Processing**, **Transcribing**, then **Ready** with a transcript, speakers, and AI notes — see [How does Canto process recordings?](https://usecanto.com/help/getting-started/how-canto-works/). If there's no meaningful title, it's called "Imported recording" until the AI titles it from the content. The audio's spoken language is detected automatically.

Common formats work — m4a, mp3, wav, and the voice-note formats messaging apps produce. If Canto can't read a file, you'll see "Couldn't import this audio file." — usually it's a video container or a DRM-protected file; extract or convert the audio and try again.

## Do imports count against my free minutes?

Yes. Transcription minutes are transcription minutes, whether Canto recorded the audio or you imported it. The free plan includes 100 min / mo per month — a long imported file can use a meaningful slice of that. See [How long can a recording be?](https://usecanto.com/help/recording/recording-limits/)

## FAQ

### Can I import several files at once?

On mobile, share files one at a time. For a batch, the web is better: drag them all in at once and each becomes its own recording — see [Upload audio files on the web](https://usecanto.com/help/recording/import-audio-web/)

### It says "Sign in to import audio."

Imports upload straight to your account, so you need to be signed in first. Open Canto and sign in, then share the file again.

### Can I import into a specific space?

Import lands in your library; move it afterwards — see [Move recordings](https://usecanto.com/help/organize/move-recordings/)

Related articles:

- [Upload audio files on the web](https://usecanto.com/help/recording/import-audio-web/)
- [How does Canto process recordings?](https://usecanto.com/help/getting-started/how-canto-works/)
- [How long can a recording be?](https://usecanto.com/help/recording/recording-limits/)