Do this instead...

AI note-taking apps and devices are everywhere right now.

They promise to record your lectures, transcribe everything, pull out key points, and turn it all into neat revision notes. And yes… they work.

But here’s the problem:

Most of them charge a monthly subscription.

And as a student, that’s just another expense you don’t need.

The good news?
You can do all of this for free using your iPhone.

(for Android users, see this Loomz article)

No subscriptions.
No extra devices.
No compromises.

Why AI Note-Taking Is Actually Worth Using

This isn’t about avoiding useful tools, AI note-taking is genuinely powerful.

It helps you:

capture everything (even when you miss bits)

turn messy lectures into structured notes

save hours of revision time

actually focus instead of writing non-stop

It works best when:

you’re sitting near the lecturer (using a wireless remote microphone works best)

you’re on an online / live lecture

you’re watching recorded content

Option 1: Build Your Own AI Note-Taker (Fully Automated)

This is the closest thing to paid apps, but built by you.... for free.

You’ll connect:

Voice recording

Transcription

ChatGPT

Notes app

All using the Shortcuts app on your iPhone.

A note regarding Auto-Lock before we start:
When testing we found that the iPhone auto-lock feature stops the below shortcut running. So you will need to disable it whilst using this and, very importantly, remember to re-enable it once you're done.

Settings -> Display & Brightness -> Auto-Lock - set to never

Step 1: Install the ChatGPT app on your iPhone.

We need this for the AI summary action, so make sure you install it up-front.
You don't need to sign up for a ChatGPT account subscription. You can sign up if you make heavy use of ChatGPT however this is all about saving your money so we won't sign up for this exercise.

Important: Make sure the ChatGPT app is running on your iPhone in the background (don't swipe it off the top of your screen), when using the below Shortcut. It will produce an error if the ChatGPT app is not running.

Step 2: Set Up A Notes Folder

Open the Notes app

Create a new folder using the new folder icon top-right
Call it:
Notes Taker AI

This is where your summaries will go.

Step 3: Create the Shortcut

Open the Shortcuts app

Tap the + (top right) to create a new shortcut.

It will be called "New Shortcut" by default.
Tap on the name to rename it: AI Notes Taker

Step 4: Add a Recording Action

In the Search Actions field, Search for: Record Audio

Select this action when found, to add it to your shortcut.

Tap the twisty  to reveal the additional options.

Make sure that Start Recording is set to Immediately

Make sure that Finish Recording is set to On Tap

Step 5: Add Transcription Action

Use the Search Actions field to find and add the Transcribe Audio action.

In the Transcribe Action, long-tap (press and hold) the Audio File field and select Recorded Audio as the Variable.

This will connect the Recorded audio action to the Transcribe action, you will see a connection line appear between the two.

 

Step 6: Add Ask ChatGPT Action

Use the Search Actions field to find and add the Ask ChatGPT action.

Tap the twisty to reveal the additional options.

Make sure that Start new chat is set to on

Make sure that Continuous chat is set to off

Make sure that Show When Run is set to off

In the Ask ChatGPT action, long-tap (press and hold) the Message Field and select Transcribe Audio as the Variable.

This will connect the Transcribe Action to the Ask ChatGPT action, you will see a connection line appear between the two.

Next we need to give the Ask ChatGPT action an instruction, so it knows what to do with the transcribed audio.

Tap the blank field to the right of the Ask ChatGPT action name, the cursor will move to the end of Transcribe Audio variable name.

Type the following instruction:

Give a summary of this, make it a detailed summary, capture all key points, do not make it too high level

Tap the tick icon to enter this instruction.

 

Step 7: Add Create Note action

Use the Search Actions field to find and add the Create Note action.

In the Create Note action, long-tap (press and hold) the Contents Field and select Ask ChatGPT as the Variable.

This will connect the Ask ChatGPT action to the Create Note action Action, you will see a connection line appear between the two.

Next, tap the Folder field and select the Notes Taker AI folder you created in step 2.

Next, tap the twisty to reveal more options.
Make sure that Open When Run is switched on

Your AI Notes taking shortcut is now built!

Next we need to test it.

 

Step 8: Test It

You can test this by talking in to your phone however we found the best test is to use a longer audio, in this case we switched on a TV News channel and placed the phone next to the TV (Laptop).

To run the Shortcut for testing tap the play icon bottom right on the screen.

You will see the below screen whilst the Shortcut is recording.

When you're done, tap the screen to finish recording.

The shortcut will process for a while then produce your AI Notes, which lives in your Notes application, in the Notes Taker AI folder.

You have now tested your AI Notes taking Shortcut!

All we need to do now is add it to your iPhone home screen so you don't need to go into your Shortcuts app every time you want to run it.

Step 9: Add to Home Screen

Your test means you are now in your Notes app, so go back to your Shortcuts app.

Tap the AI Notes Taker name for this Shortcut at the top of your screen.

Tap Choose Icon

Pick your favourite colour and icon for this shortcut

Once you've selected your colour and icon, swipe it down to go back to the Shortcut.

Tap the Shortcut name at the top of the screen again and this time select Add to Home Screen.

Tap the Add button top right on your screen.

Now your Shortcut is added to your iPhone home screen, just like an app, and you can move it around, place it in a folder etc.

Once you have added the Shortcut icon to your iPhone home screen you can tap it to test it again, just to make sure it works well.

Make sure you throughly test this a few times before you use it for your first lecture!

Pro tip: ChatGPT is an AI app so you can build this shortcut, with different names, as many times as you like and change the instruction given in step 6.

For example instead of:

Give a summary of this, make it a detailed summary, capture all key points, do not make it too high level

you could type something like:

Make a summary of this, make it a very detailed summary, capture all key points, do not make it too high level, then create flashcards for revision purposes.

or:

Make a summary of this, make it a very detailed summary, capture all key points, do not make it too high level, then create questions with answers so I can test myself for revision purposes.

Congratulations! You have now built your own iPhone shortcut, connecting free to use apps that combined, have given you the capability to record, transcribe, and AI summarise lectures or meetings, without paying for an AI app subscription.

 

Option 2: Don’t Want to Build a Shortcut? Do This Instead

If building an iPhone shortcut feels like too much techy work, you can still benefit from this free functionality by following the below simple steps.

This is essentially doing the same thing as the shortcut, however you are manually completing each step instead of the shortcut stringing them together and automating it.

Step 1: Record the Lecture

Open the  Voice Memos app



Tap record

Let it run

Tap stop when finished

Step 2: Get the Transcript

Still in the Voice Memos app, tap the recording in your list of recordings (if you have some already) to expand it.

Tap the Vertical blue bars icon on the left to open the recording

Tap the speech bubble icon bottom-left to open the written transcript

 

Tap the dots (...) icon top-left and select Copy Transcript

 

Step 3: Paste transcript into ChatGPT with instructions

Open the ChatGPT app

Type in the Ask ChatGPT input field:

Long-tap (press and hold) the Ask ChatGPT input field to paste in your text.

Tap the send up arrow button, bottom-right, to send it.

ChatGPT will then summarise the transcribed text as requested.

Step 4: Save or send your ChatGPT summarised notes

You can use the copy or forward icons bottom-left of the screen to copy the text to memory, for pasting in to the Notes app (or anywhere else you want).
Or you can use the forward icon to send it to email, the Notes app, copy it to memory etc.

Congratulations!

You have successfully recorded, transcribed, and AI summarised your lecture or meeting.

Why This Is Better Than Paid Apps

Let’s be honest:

Paid monthly subscription apps = convenience

This method = same result, zero cost

You’re using:

tools you already have

free to use AI

built-in iPhone features

No subscription needed!

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to spend money to get the benefits of AI note-taking.

With a simple Shortcut setup (or even just the manual method), you can:

record lectures

transcribe them

summarise them

turn them into usable notes

All for free!

Important: Don’t Submit AI-Generated Work

AI is great for notes and learning, but there’s a line you shouldn’t cross.

Do NOT copy and paste AI-generated text directly into your assignments.

Universities are actively checking for AI-written content, and:

They will detect it

It can count as academic misconduct

There can be serious consequences (including failing modules)

Use AI to support your learning, not replace it.

Summary

AI note-taking = extremely useful

Paid apps = unnecessary cost

Your Phone can already do it

Shortcut = automated solution

Manual method = simple fallback

Stop paying for something you can already do for free.

Related Articles:

How to Budget at University: Student Guide

Free Apps Every Student Should Be Using in 2026 (useful Vs hype)

How to Copy Text from Photos on Your Phone (Free Student Hack)

© Loomz Ltd