Convert a WhatsApp Voice Message (.opus) to MP3
WhatsApp and Telegram voice messages are saved in Opus, a very efficient format that some players, cars and programs can't play. Converting to MP3 lets you listen to them, archive them or edit them easily.
Updated on
For voice, the "Voice" quality is more than enough.
How to use it
- Install ffmpeg if you haven't already.
- Open a terminal in the folder containing your file.
- Copy the generated command, adjust the file names if needed, then run it.
- Open the resulting file to check the result.
Convert all the voice messages in a folder
On Linux or macOS, this loop converts all the .opus files in the current folder to MP3:
for f in *.opus; do ffmpeg -n -i "$f" -c:a libmp3lame -q:a 7 -ar 44100 "${f%.opus}.mp3"; done Why "Voice" quality is enough
A voice message contains only speech, often recorded in mono at a low bitrate. Increasing the MP3 quality makes the file bigger without improving what you hear: the source is the limiting factor.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get the .opus file out of WhatsApp?
On Android, voice messages are in the WhatsApp > Media > WhatsApp Voice Notes folder. On iPhone or from WhatsApp Web, use the share or export chat feature to get the file.
My file is .ogg, not .opus. Is it the same thing?
Yes. Opus is the codec and Ogg is the container: a messaging .ogg file most often contains Opus. Just enter the correct name in the "Source file" field.
Why force 44.1 kHz?
Opus works internally at 48 kHz, and voice messages are often recorded at 16 kHz. Some older MP3 players only play 44.1 kHz: this setting guarantees compatibility without changing how the voice sounds.