diff --git a/backend/migrations/versions/b7d2e9f4a1c6_media_storage_key_index.py b/backend/migrations/versions/b7d2e9f4a1c6_media_storage_key_index.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..17e7091
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/migrations/versions/b7d2e9f4a1c6_media_storage_key_index.py
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+"""media storage_key index for content lookup
+
+Revision ID: b7d2e9f4a1c6
+Revises: f1c4a8e2d6b3
+Create Date: 2026-10-28 01:00:00.000000
+
+"""
+
+from collections.abc import Sequence
+
+from alembic import op
+
+revision: str = "b7d2e9f4a1c6"
+down_revision: str | None = "f1c4a8e2d6b3"
+branch_labels: str | Sequence[str] | None = None
+depends_on: str | Sequence[str] | None = None
+
+
+def upgrade() -> None:
+    op.execute(
+        "CREATE INDEX ix_media_storage_key ON media (storage_key) "
+        "WHERE storage_key IS NOT NULL"
+    )
+
+
+def downgrade() -> None:
+    op.execute("DROP INDEX IF EXISTS ix_media_storage_key")
diff --git a/backend/src/api/mcp/server.py b/backend/src/api/mcp/server.py
index 5ab13c6..ed42120 100644
--- a/backend/src/api/mcp/server.py
+++ b/backend/src/api/mcp/server.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ from api.mcp.download import (
     share_media,
 )
 from api.mcp.format import build_transcript, load_notes, load_photos, resolve_names
+from api.transcribe import request_transcript
 from dependencies.container import container
 from utils.files import resolve_mime
 from utils.read import (
@@ -87,6 +88,9 @@ Typical flows:
   returns a public link valid 24h that needs no auth (`curl -O <link>`), plus
   the content itself for small images and text files. `get_media` returns
   metadata only.
+- Voice: transcripts of played voices and round videos are already in the
+  history ("STT Content"). For "not transcribed" ones call
+  `transcribe_message`.
 - Monitoring: `set_watch` creates a local rule (kinds `keyword`,
   `new_message`, `message_deleted`, `message_edited`, `peer_online`; params in
   its description), `list_watches` lists rules, and `list_alerts` reads what
@@ -369,6 +373,25 @@ async def download_media(
     ]
 
 
+@mcp.tool
+async def transcribe_message(
+    account_id: int, chat_id: int, message_id: int, wait_seconds: int = 60
+) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Transcribe a voice message or round video through Telegram, any of them.
+
+    Returns the archived transcript at once when there is one; otherwise asks
+    Telegram (Premium transcription of the archived account) and waits up to
+    `wait_seconds`. `status` is `done` with `text`, `pending` (call again
+    later) or `failed` with `error`: `too_long`, `no_premium`, `not_voice`,
+    `empty`, `bot_account` or `failed`. Telegram may mark an unplayed voice as
+    listened for its sender.
+    """
+    result = await request_transcript(
+        await _pool(), account_id, chat_id, message_id, max(wait_seconds, 0)
+    )
+    return result.model_dump(mode="json", exclude_none=True)
+
+
 @mcp.tool
 async def get_callbacks(
     account_id: int, chat_id: int, message_id: int
diff --git a/backend/src/api/routers/backfill.py b/backend/src/api/routers/backfill.py
index d5b11fc..f5aecdc 100644
--- a/backend/src/api/routers/backfill.py
+++ b/backend/src/api/routers/backfill.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ from dishka.integrations.fastapi import DishkaRoute, FromDishka
 from fastapi import APIRouter, HTTPException, Query
 from pydantic import BaseModel
 
+from api.transcribe import TranscribeResult, request_transcript
 from utils.jobs import enqueue
 from utils.read.models import DEFAULT_LIMIT, Page
 
@@ -35,6 +36,7 @@ class TranscribeRequest(BaseModel):
     account_id: int
     chat_id: int
     message_id: int
+    wait: float = 0
 
 
 class SyncDialogsRequest(BaseModel):
@@ -105,17 +107,13 @@ async def enqueue_fetch_media(
     return EnqueueResponse(job_id=job_id)
 
 
-@router.post("/media/transcribe", status_code=201)
-async def enqueue_transcribe(
+@router.post("/media/transcribe")
+async def transcribe(
     pool: FromDishka[asyncpg.Pool], body: TranscribeRequest
-) -> EnqueueResponse:
-    job_id = await enqueue(
-        pool,
-        body.account_id,
-        "transcribe",
-        {"chat_id": body.chat_id, "message_id": body.message_id},
+) -> TranscribeResult:
+    return await request_transcript(
+        pool, body.account_id, body.chat_id, body.message_id, body.wait
     )
-    return EnqueueResponse(job_id=job_id)
 
 
 @router.post("/dialogs/sync", status_code=201)
diff --git a/backend/src/api/routers/media.py b/backend/src/api/routers/media.py
index af230c9..8222d60 100644
--- a/backend/src/api/routers/media.py
+++ b/backend/src/api/routers/media.py
@@ -8,17 +8,19 @@ from fastapi.responses import FileResponse
 from utils.cache import DAY_HEADERS, IMMUTABLE_HEADERS
 from utils.files import content_disposition, media_file_name, resolve_mime
 from utils.read.media import (
+    find_by_content,
     get_media,
     get_media_version,
     get_media_versions,
     get_message_media,
 )
-from utils.read.models import MediaVersionView, MediaView
+from utils.read.models import MediaPlaceView, MediaVersionView, MediaView
 from utils.storage import ContentAddressedStorage
 
 router = APIRouter(prefix="/api/media", tags=["media"], route_class=DishkaRoute)
 
 Download = Annotated[bool, Query()]
+Sha256 = Annotated[str, Query(pattern="^[0-9a-f]{64}$")]
 
 
 def _attachment(headers: dict[str, str], file_name: str) -> dict[str, str]:
@@ -81,6 +83,15 @@ async def message_media(
     return media
 
 
+@router.get("/lookup")
+async def lookup_media(
+    pool: FromDishka[asyncpg.Pool],
+    sha256: Sha256,
+    account_id: Annotated[int | None, Query()] = None,
+) -> list[MediaPlaceView]:
+    return await find_by_content(pool, sha256, account_id)
+
+
 @router.get("/{media_id}")
 async def serve_media(
     pool: FromDishka[asyncpg.Pool],
diff --git a/backend/src/api/transcribe.py b/backend/src/api/transcribe.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3fffb94
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/src/api/transcribe.py
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+import asyncio
+from typing import Literal
+
+import asyncpg
+from pydantic import BaseModel
+
+from utils.jobs import enqueue
+from utils.read import accounts, media
+
+MAX_WAIT_SECONDS = 60.0
+_POLL_SECONDS = 1.0
+_TRANSCRIBABLE = ("voice", "video_note")
+
+TranscribeStatus = Literal["done", "pending", "failed"]
+
+
+class TranscribeResult(BaseModel):
+    status: TranscribeStatus
+    text: str | None = None
+    error: str | None = None
+    job_id: int | None = None
+
+
+async def _text(
+    pool: asyncpg.Pool, account_id: int, chat_id: int, message_id: int
+) -> str | None:
+    item = await media.get_message_media(pool, account_id, chat_id, message_id)
+    return item.extracted_text if item else None
+
+
+async def _job_error(pool: asyncpg.Pool, job_id: int) -> str | None:
+    row = await pool.fetchrow("SELECT status, error FROM jobs WHERE id = $1", job_id)
+    if row is None or row["status"] == "canceled":
+        return "failed"
+    if row["status"] == "failed":
+        return row["error"] or "failed"
+    return None
+
+
+async def request_transcript(
+    pool: asyncpg.Pool, account_id: int, chat_id: int, message_id: int, wait: float = 0
+) -> TranscribeResult:
+    item = await media.get_message_media(pool, account_id, chat_id, message_id)
+    if item is None or item.kind not in _TRANSCRIBABLE:
+        return TranscribeResult(status="failed", error="not_voice")
+    if item.extracted_text:
+        return TranscribeResult(status="done", text=item.extracted_text)
+    account = await accounts.get_account(pool, account_id)
+    if account is None or account.is_bot:
+        return TranscribeResult(status="failed", error="bot_account")
+    job_id = await enqueue(
+        pool, account_id, "transcribe", {"chat_id": chat_id, "message_id": message_id}
+    )
+    loop = asyncio.get_running_loop()
+    deadline = loop.time() + min(wait, MAX_WAIT_SECONDS)
+    while loop.time() < deadline:
+        await asyncio.sleep(_POLL_SECONDS)
+        text = await _text(pool, account_id, chat_id, message_id)
+        if text:
+            return TranscribeResult(status="done", text=text, job_id=job_id)
+        error = await _job_error(pool, job_id)
+        if error is not None:
+            return TranscribeResult(status="failed", error=error, job_id=job_id)
+    return TranscribeResult(status="pending", job_id=job_id)
diff --git a/backend/src/userbot/modules/stt/gate.py b/backend/src/userbot/modules/stt/gate.py
index 3759432..68c3759 100644
--- a/backend/src/userbot/modules/stt/gate.py
+++ b/backend/src/userbot/modules/stt/gate.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ from pyrogram import Client
 from pyrogram.errors import FloodPremiumWait, FloodWait, RPCError
 
 from userbot.modules.capture.context import CaptureContext
-from userbot.modules.stt.service import transcribe_message
+from userbot.modules.stt.service import TranscribeError, transcribe_message
 from utils.logging import logger
 
 
@@ -20,5 +20,5 @@ async def safe_transcribe(
             "transcribe",
             {"chat_id": chat_id, "message_id": message_id},
         )
-    except RPCError as exc:
+    except (TranscribeError, RPCError) as exc:
         logger.warning(f"[yellow]STT failed for {chat_id}/{message_id}: {exc}[/]")
diff --git a/backend/src/userbot/modules/stt/service.py b/backend/src/userbot/modules/stt/service.py
index a382b11..2922f08 100644
--- a/backend/src/userbot/modules/stt/service.py
+++ b/backend/src/userbot/modules/stt/service.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 from pyrogram import Client, raw
+from pyrogram.errors import FloodPremiumWait, FloodWait, RPCError
 from pyrogram.types import Message
 
 from userbot.modules.capture.context import CaptureContext
@@ -6,6 +7,16 @@ from userbot.modules.media import self_destruct_ttl
 from userbot.modules.stt import repository
 from utils.logging import logger
 
+REFUSALS = {
+    "MSG_VOICE_TOO_LONG": "too_long",
+    "MSG_VOICE_MISSING": "not_voice",
+    "PREMIUM_ACCOUNT_REQUIRED": "no_premium",
+}
+
+
+class TranscribeError(Exception):
+    pass
+
 
 def is_transcribable(message: Message) -> bool:
     if self_destruct_ttl(message) is not None:
@@ -26,27 +37,37 @@ def should_transcribe_on_backfill(message: Message, self_id: int | None) -> bool
     return not message.unread_media
 
 
+async def _ask(
+    client: Client, chat_id: int, message_id: int
+) -> raw.types.messages.TranscribedAudio:
+    try:
+        peer = await client.resolve_peer(chat_id)
+        if peer is None:
+            msg = "failed"
+            raise TranscribeError(msg)
+        return await client.invoke(
+            raw.functions.messages.TranscribeAudio(peer=peer, msg_id=message_id)
+        )
+    except (FloodWait, FloodPremiumWait):
+        raise
+    except RPCError as exc:
+        logger.warning(f"[yellow]STT refused {chat_id}/{message_id}: {exc}[/]")
+        raise TranscribeError(REFUSALS.get(exc.ID or "", "failed")) from exc
+
+
 async def transcribe_message(
     client: Client, ctx: CaptureContext, chat_id: int, message_id: int
 ) -> None:
-    peer = await client.resolve_peer(chat_id)
-    if peer is None:
-        return
-    result = await client.invoke(
-        raw.functions.messages.TranscribeAudio(peer=peer, msg_id=message_id)
-    )
+    result = await _ask(client, chat_id, message_id)
     if result.pending:
         logger.info(
             f"[yellow]STT pending {chat_id}/{message_id} "
             f"(trial_remains={result.trial_remains_num})[/]"
         )
         return
-    if result.text:
-        await repository.set_extracted_text(
-            ctx.pool, ctx.account_id, chat_id, message_id, result.text
-        )
-    else:
-        logger.info(
-            f"[yellow]STT empty {chat_id}/{message_id} "
-            f"(trial_remains={result.trial_remains_num})[/]"
-        )
+    if not result.text:
+        msg = "empty"
+        raise TranscribeError(msg)
+    await repository.set_extracted_text(
+        ctx.pool, ctx.account_id, chat_id, message_id, result.text
+    )
diff --git a/backend/src/utils/read/media.py b/backend/src/utils/read/media.py
index 1995497..eabe060 100644
--- a/backend/src/utils/read/media.py
+++ b/backend/src/utils/read/media.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import json
 import asyncpg
 
 from utils.files import media_file_name
-from utils.read.models import MediaVersionView, MediaView
+from utils.read.models import MediaPlaceView, MediaVersionView, MediaView
 
 MEDIA_COLS = (
     "m.id, m.account_id, m.chat_id, m.message_id, m.kind, m.storage_key, "
@@ -23,6 +23,12 @@ LEFT JOIN LATERAL (
 
 _VERSION_COLS = "id, kind, storage_key, file_size, mime, observed_at"
 
+_PLACES = """
+SELECT account_id, chat_id, message_id, kind, extracted_text FROM media
+WHERE storage_key = $1 AND ($2::bigint IS NULL OR account_id = $2)
+ORDER BY created_at DESC LIMIT 100
+"""
+
 _WEB_PAGE_MEDIA_KINDS = ("photo", "video", "animation", "document", "audio")
 
 
@@ -100,6 +106,13 @@ async def get_message_media(
     return await _web_page_media_stub(pool, account_id, chat_id, message_id)
 
 
+async def find_by_content(
+    pool: asyncpg.Pool, storage_key: str, account_id: int | None = None
+) -> list[MediaPlaceView]:
+    rows = await pool.fetch(_PLACES, storage_key, account_id)
+    return [MediaPlaceView(**dict(row)) for row in rows]
+
+
 async def get_media_versions(
     pool: asyncpg.Pool, account_id: int, chat_id: int, message_id: int
 ) -> list[MediaVersionView]:
diff --git a/backend/src/utils/read/models.py b/backend/src/utils/read/models.py
index 45a1858..9090bcd 100644
--- a/backend/src/utils/read/models.py
+++ b/backend/src/utils/read/models.py
@@ -275,6 +275,14 @@ class MediaView(BaseModel):
     file_name: str | None = None
 
 
+class MediaPlaceView(BaseModel):
+    account_id: int
+    chat_id: int
+    message_id: int
+    kind: str
+    extracted_text: str | None
+
+
 class MediaVersionView(BaseModel):
     id: int
     kind: str
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/api/endpoints.ts b/frontend/src/lib/api/endpoints.ts
index 5bc42e2..cbd7c98 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/api/endpoints.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/api/endpoints.ts
@@ -575,15 +575,23 @@ export function fetchMedia(
   });
 }
 
+export interface TranscribeResult {
+  error: string | null;
+  status: "done" | "failed" | "pending";
+  text: string | null;
+}
+
 export function transcribeMedia(
   chatId: number,
-  messageId: number
-): Promise<{ job_id: number }> {
-  return request<{ job_id: number }>("/media/transcribe", {
+  messageId: number,
+  wait: number
+): Promise<TranscribeResult> {
+  return request<TranscribeResult>("/media/transcribe", {
     body: {
       account_id: accounts.selectedId,
       chat_id: chatId,
       message_id: messageId,
+      wait,
     },
     method: "POST",
   });
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/api/media.ts b/frontend/src/lib/api/media.ts
index 1199060..2c2f7af 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/api/media.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/api/media.ts
@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@ import { getMessageMedia, transcribeMedia } from "#lib/api/endpoints.js";
 import type { MediaRef } from "#lib/api/types.js";
 import { accounts } from "#lib/stores/accounts.svelte.js";
 
-const TRANSCRIBE_TRIES = 10;
-const TRANSCRIBE_DELAY = 2000;
+const TRANSCRIBE_WAIT = 25;
+const TRANSCRIBE_TRIES = 3;
 
 export type InlineMedia =
   | {
@@ -15,7 +15,12 @@ export type InlineMedia =
       url: string;
       transcript: string | null;
     }
-  | { state: "not-downloaded"; mediaId: number; kind: string }
+  | {
+      state: "not-downloaded";
+      mediaId: number;
+      kind: string;
+      transcript: string | null;
+    }
   | { state: "missing" };
 
 export interface ViewerItem {
@@ -173,7 +178,12 @@ async function resolve(
     return { state: "missing" };
   }
   if (!meta.downloaded) {
-    return { kind: meta.kind, mediaId: meta.id, state: "not-downloaded" };
+    return {
+      kind: meta.kind,
+      mediaId: meta.id,
+      state: "not-downloaded",
+      transcript: meta.extracted_text,
+    };
   }
   const blob = await requestMedia(meta.id);
   if (blob.state === "ready") {
@@ -187,7 +197,12 @@ async function resolve(
     };
   }
   if (blob.state === "not-downloaded") {
-    return { kind: meta.kind, mediaId: meta.id, state: "not-downloaded" };
+    return {
+      kind: meta.kind,
+      mediaId: meta.id,
+      state: "not-downloaded",
+      transcript: meta.extracted_text,
+    };
   }
   return { state: "missing" };
 }
@@ -200,7 +215,12 @@ async function resolveById(media: MediaRef): Promise<InlineMedia> {
     return { state: "missing" };
   }
   if (!media.downloaded) {
-    return { kind: media.kind, mediaId: media.id, state: "not-downloaded" };
+    return {
+      kind: media.kind,
+      mediaId: media.id,
+      state: "not-downloaded",
+      transcript: null,
+    };
   }
   const blob = await requestMedia(media.id);
   if (blob.state === "ready") {
@@ -214,7 +234,12 @@ async function resolveById(media: MediaRef): Promise<InlineMedia> {
     };
   }
   if (blob.state === "not-downloaded") {
-    return { kind: media.kind, mediaId: media.id, state: "not-downloaded" };
+    return {
+      kind: media.kind,
+      mediaId: media.id,
+      state: "not-downloaded",
+      transcript: null,
+    };
   }
   return { state: "missing" };
 }
@@ -257,32 +282,29 @@ function patchTranscript(
     return;
   }
   const cached = ready.get(cacheKey(account, chatId, messageId));
-  if (cached?.state === "ready") {
+  if (cached && cached.state !== "missing") {
     cached.transcript = text;
   }
 }
 
+export type TranscriptOutcome = { text: string } | { error: string };
+
 export async function requestTranscription(
   chatId: number,
   messageId: number
-): Promise<string | null> {
-  await transcribeMedia(chatId, messageId);
+): Promise<TranscriptOutcome> {
   for (let i = 0; i < TRANSCRIBE_TRIES; i += 1) {
-    // biome-ignore lint/performance/noAwaitInLoops: polling waits between tries on purpose
-    await new Promise((done) => {
-      setTimeout(done, TRANSCRIBE_DELAY);
-    });
-    try {
-      const meta = await getMessageMedia(chatId, messageId);
-      if (meta.extracted_text) {
-        patchTranscript(chatId, messageId, meta.extracted_text);
-        return meta.extracted_text;
-      }
-    } catch {
-      return null;
+    // biome-ignore lint/performance/noAwaitInLoops: each try waits on the server
+    const result = await transcribeMedia(chatId, messageId, TRANSCRIBE_WAIT);
+    if (result.status === "done" && result.text) {
+      patchTranscript(chatId, messageId, result.text);
+      return { text: result.text };
+    }
+    if (result.status === "failed") {
+      return { error: result.error ?? "failed" };
     }
   }
-  return null;
+  return { error: "pending" };
 }
 
 export function loadInlineMedia(
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/MessageMedia.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/MessageMedia.svelte
index 9c68474..4798212 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/MessageMedia.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/MessageMedia.svelte
@@ -167,7 +167,12 @@
           url={ready.url}
         />
       {:else if ready && kind === "video_note"}
-        <VideoNote transcript={ready.transcript} url={ready.url} />
+        <VideoNote
+          chatId={message.chat_id}
+          messageId={message.message_id}
+          transcript={ready.transcript}
+          url={ready.url}
+        />
       {:else if ready && kind === "audio"}
         <AudioFile {own} title={fileName} url={ready.url} />
       {:else if ready && isImage}
@@ -210,6 +215,27 @@
           <Icon name="document" size="1.25rem" />
           <span>{label}</span>
         </button>
+      {:else if media?.state === "not-downloaded" && kind === "voice"}
+        <VoiceMessage
+          chatId={message.chat_id}
+          length={ref?.duration}
+          messageId={message.message_id}
+          ondownload={queue}
+          {own}
+          transcript={media.transcript}
+          url={null}
+          {waiting}
+        />
+      {:else if media?.state === "not-downloaded" && kind === "video_note"}
+        <VideoNote
+          chatId={message.chat_id}
+          length={ref?.duration}
+          messageId={message.message_id}
+          ondownload={queue}
+          transcript={media.transcript}
+          url={null}
+          {waiting}
+        />
       {:else if media?.state === "not-downloaded" && vk !== "other"}
         <button class="media-placeholder" onclick={queue} type="button">
           <Icon name={waiting ? "timer" : "download"} size="1.5rem" />
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/media/VideoNote.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/media/VideoNote.svelte
index f7282bf..0ee4e54 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/media/VideoNote.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/media/VideoNote.svelte
@@ -1,18 +1,37 @@
 <script lang="ts">
   import Icon from "#lib/components/ui/Icon.svelte";
+  import Spinner from "#lib/components/ui/Spinner.svelte";
   import { formatDuration } from "#lib/format/duration.js";
   import { t } from "#lib/i18n/locale.svelte.js";
   import { claimPlayback, releasePlayback } from "#lib/media/playback.js";
   import { POSTER_TIME, poster } from "#lib/media/poster.js";
+  import { Transcript } from "#lib/media/transcript.svelte.js";
 
   interface Props {
+    chatId: number;
+    length?: number | null;
+    messageId: number;
+    ondownload?: () => void;
     transcript?: string | null;
-    url: string;
+    url: string | null;
+    waiting?: boolean;
   }
 
-  let { url, transcript = null }: Props = $props();
+  let {
+    url,
+    transcript = null,
+    chatId,
+    messageId,
+    length = null,
+    ondownload,
+    waiting = false,
+  }: Props = $props();
 
-  let showTranscript = $state(false);
+  const stt = new Transcript(
+    () => chatId,
+    () => messageId,
+    () => transcript
+  );
 
   const RADIUS = 94;
   const CIRCUMFERENCE = 2 * Math.PI * RADIUS;
@@ -24,8 +43,21 @@
 
   const progress = $derived(duration > 0 ? currentTime / duration : 0);
   const remaining = $derived(Math.max(0, duration - currentTime));
+  const shownTime = $derived(
+    paused && currentTime <= POSTER_TIME ? duration || (length ?? 0) : remaining
+  );
+  const toggleLabel = $derived.by(() => {
+    if (!url) {
+      return t("media.downloadToArchive");
+    }
+    return paused ? t("media.playRound") : t("ui.pause");
+  });
 
   function toggle() {
+    if (!url) {
+      ondownload?.();
+      return;
+    }
     if (!element) {
       return;
     }
@@ -39,60 +71,69 @@
 
 <div class="RoundVideoWrap">
   <button
-    aria-label={paused ? t("media.playRound") : t("ui.pause")}
+    aria-label={toggleLabel}
     class="RoundVideo"
     onclick={toggle}
     type="button"
   >
-    <!-- svelte-ignore a11y_media_has_caption -->
-    <!-- biome-ignore lint/a11y/useMediaCaption: archived round video has no captions -->
-    <video
-      onended={() => element && releasePlayback(element)}
-      onplay={() => element && claimPlayback(element)}
-      playsinline
-      preload="auto"
-      src={url}
-      bind:this={element}
-      bind:currentTime
-      bind:duration
-      bind:paused
-      use:poster
-    ></video>
-    <svg aria-hidden="true" class="RoundVideoRing" viewBox="0 0 200 200">
-      <circle
-        class="RoundVideoProgress"
-        cx="100"
-        cy="100"
-        r={RADIUS}
-        stroke-dasharray={CIRCUMFERENCE}
-        stroke-dashoffset={CIRCUMFERENCE * (1 - progress)}
-      />
-    </svg>
-    {#if paused}
-      <span class="play"><Icon name="large-play" size="2.75rem" /></span>
+    {#if url}
+      <!-- svelte-ignore a11y_media_has_caption -->
+      <!-- biome-ignore lint/a11y/useMediaCaption: archived round video has no captions -->
+      <video
+        onended={() => element && releasePlayback(element)}
+        onplay={() => element && claimPlayback(element)}
+        playsinline
+        preload="auto"
+        src={url}
+        bind:this={element}
+        bind:currentTime
+        bind:duration
+        bind:paused
+        use:poster
+      ></video>
+      <svg aria-hidden="true" class="RoundVideoRing" viewBox="0 0 200 200">
+        <circle
+          class="RoundVideoProgress"
+          cx="100"
+          cy="100"
+          r={RADIUS}
+          stroke-dasharray={CIRCUMFERENCE}
+          stroke-dashoffset={CIRCUMFERENCE * (1 - progress)}
+        />
+      </svg>
+      {#if paused}
+        <span class="play"><Icon name="large-play" size="2.75rem" /></span>
+      {/if}
+    {:else}
+      <span class="blank"></span>
+      <span class="play">
+        <Icon name={waiting ? "timer" : "download"} size="2.25rem" />
+      </span>
     {/if}
     <span class="badge">
       <Icon name="microphone" size="0.875rem" />
-      {formatDuration(
-        paused && currentTime <= POSTER_TIME ? duration : remaining
-      )}
+      {formatDuration(shownTime)}
     </span>
   </button>
-  {#if transcript}
-    <button
-      class="transcribe"
-      onclick={() => {
-        showTranscript = !showTranscript;
-      }}
-      type="button"
-      class:active={showTranscript}
-    >
+  <button
+    aria-label={stt.open
+      ? t("media.hideTranscription")
+      : t("media.showTranscription")}
+    class="transcribe"
+    disabled={stt.pending}
+    onclick={() => stt.toggle()}
+    type="button"
+    class:active={stt.open}
+  >
+    {#if stt.pending}
+      <Spinner color="gray" size="1rem" />
+    {:else}
       <Icon name="transcribe" size="1rem" />
-      {t("media.transcription")}
-    </button>
-    {#if showTranscript}
-      <div class="transcript">{transcript}</div>
     {/if}
+    {t("media.transcription")}
+  </button>
+  {#if stt.open}
+    <div class="transcript">{stt.text}</div>
   {/if}
 </div>
 
@@ -123,6 +164,10 @@
     &.active {
       color: var(--color-primary);
     }
+
+    &:disabled {
+      cursor: default;
+    }
   }
 
   .transcript {
@@ -150,6 +195,16 @@
     -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;
   }
 
+  .blank {
+    display: block;
+
+    width: 100%;
+    height: 100%;
+    border-radius: 50%;
+
+    background-color: var(--color-default-shadow);
+  }
+
   video {
     display: block;
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/media/VoiceMessage.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/media/VoiceMessage.svelte
index a517853..269c4a6 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/media/VoiceMessage.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/media/VoiceMessage.svelte
@@ -1,52 +1,39 @@
 <script lang="ts">
-  import { requestTranscription } from "#lib/api/media.js";
   import Icon from "#lib/components/ui/Icon.svelte";
   import Spinner from "#lib/components/ui/Spinner.svelte";
   import { formatDuration } from "#lib/format/duration.js";
   import { t } from "#lib/i18n/locale.svelte.js";
   import { claimPlayback, releasePlayback } from "#lib/media/playback.js";
+  import { Transcript } from "#lib/media/transcript.svelte.js";
   import { computeWaveform, flatWaveform } from "#lib/media/waveform.js";
-  import { toasts } from "#lib/stores/toasts.svelte.js";
 
   interface Props {
     chatId: number;
+    length?: number | null;
     messageId: number;
+    ondownload?: () => void;
     own: boolean;
     transcript?: string | null;
-    url: string;
+    url: string | null;
+    waiting?: boolean;
   }
 
-  let { url, own, transcript = null, chatId, messageId }: Props = $props();
+  let {
+    url,
+    own,
+    transcript = null,
+    chatId,
+    messageId,
+    length = null,
+    ondownload,
+    waiting = false,
+  }: Props = $props();
 
-  let fetched = $state<string | null>(null);
-  let pending = $state(false);
-  const text = $derived(fetched ?? transcript);
-
-  let showTranscript = $state(false);
-
-  async function onTranscribe() {
-    if (text) {
-      showTranscript = !showTranscript;
-      return;
-    }
-    if (pending) {
-      return;
-    }
-    pending = true;
-    try {
-      const result = await requestTranscription(chatId, messageId);
-      if (result) {
-        fetched = result;
-        showTranscript = true;
-      } else {
-        toasts.error(t("media.transcribeFailed"));
-      }
-    } catch {
-      toasts.error(t("media.transcribeFailed"));
-    } finally {
-      pending = false;
-    }
-  }
+  const stt = new Transcript(
+    () => chatId,
+    () => messageId,
+    () => transcript
+  );
   let element = $state<HTMLAudioElement>();
   let peaks = $state<number[]>(flatWaveform());
   let currentTime = $state(0);
@@ -54,11 +41,20 @@
   let paused = $state(true);
 
   const progress = $derived(duration > 0 ? currentTime / duration : 0);
+  const toggleLabel = $derived.by(() => {
+    if (!url) {
+      return t("media.downloadToArchive");
+    }
+    return paused ? t("media.playVoice") : t("ui.pause");
+  });
   const elapsed = $derived(
-    paused && currentTime === 0 ? duration : currentTime
+    paused && currentTime === 0 ? duration || (length ?? 0) : currentTime
   );
 
   $effect(() => {
+    if (!url) {
+      return;
+    }
     let active = true;
     computeWaveform(url)
       .then((result) => {
@@ -73,6 +69,10 @@
   });
 
   function toggle() {
+    if (!url) {
+      ondownload?.();
+      return;
+    }
     if (!element) {
       return;
     }
@@ -97,16 +97,20 @@
 <div class="VoiceWrap" class:own>
   <div class="Voice">
     <button
-      aria-label={paused ? t("media.playVoice") : t("ui.pause")}
+      aria-label={toggleLabel}
       class="toggle"
       onclick={toggle}
       type="button"
     >
-      <Icon
-        class={paused ? "nudge" : ""}
-        name={paused ? "play" : "pause"}
-        size="1.5rem"
-      />
+      {#if !url}
+        <Icon name={waiting ? "timer" : "download"} size="1.5rem" />
+      {:else}
+        <Icon
+          class={paused ? "nudge" : ""}
+          name={paused ? "play" : "pause"}
+          size="1.5rem"
+        />
+      {/if}
     </button>
     <div class="body">
       <!-- svelte-ignore a11y_no_static_element_interactions -->
@@ -122,35 +126,37 @@
       <div class="time">{formatDuration(elapsed)}</div>
     </div>
     <button
-      aria-label={showTranscript && text
+      aria-label={stt.open
         ? t("media.hideTranscription")
         : t("media.showTranscription")}
       class="transcribe"
-      disabled={pending}
-      onclick={onTranscribe}
+      disabled={stt.pending}
+      onclick={() => stt.toggle()}
       type="button"
-      class:active={showTranscript && Boolean(text)}
+      class:active={stt.open}
     >
-      {#if pending}
+      {#if stt.pending}
         <Spinner color={own ? "white" : "gray"} size="1rem" />
       {:else}
         <Icon name="transcribe" size="1.125rem" />
       {/if}
     </button>
-    <!-- biome-ignore lint/a11y/useMediaCaption: archived voice note has no captions -->
-    <audio
-      onended={() => element && releasePlayback(element)}
-      onplay={() => element && claimPlayback(element)}
-      preload="metadata"
-      src={url}
-      bind:this={element}
-      bind:currentTime
-      bind:duration
-      bind:paused
-    ></audio>
+    {#if url}
+      <!-- biome-ignore lint/a11y/useMediaCaption: archived voice note has no captions -->
+      <audio
+        onended={() => element && releasePlayback(element)}
+        onplay={() => element && claimPlayback(element)}
+        preload="metadata"
+        src={url}
+        bind:this={element}
+        bind:currentTime
+        bind:duration
+        bind:paused
+      ></audio>
+    {/if}
   </div>
-  {#if text && showTranscript}
-    <div class="transcript">{text}</div>
+  {#if stt.open}
+    <div class="transcript">{stt.text}</div>
   {/if}
 </div>
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/profile/SharedMedia.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/profile/SharedMedia.svelte
index 7f24d40..bdc8014 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/profile/SharedMedia.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/profile/SharedMedia.svelte
@@ -131,6 +131,7 @@
           kind: item.kind,
           mediaId: item.id,
           state: "not-downloaded",
+          transcript: null,
         };
         loadMediaItem({
           downloaded: item.downloaded,
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/i18n/messages/media.ts b/frontend/src/lib/i18n/messages/media.ts
index 4f05adf..c1adf05 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/i18n/messages/media.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/i18n/messages/media.ts
@@ -35,10 +35,26 @@ export const media = {
     en: "Show transcription",
     ru: "Показать расшифровку",
   },
+  "media.transcribeEmpty": {
+    en: "No speech in the recording",
+    ru: "В записи не слышно речи",
+  },
   "media.transcribeFailed": {
     en: "Could not transcribe",
     ru: "Не удалось расшифровать",
   },
+  "media.transcribeNoPremium": {
+    en: "Transcription needs Telegram Premium",
+    ru: "Для расшифровки нужен Telegram Premium",
+  },
+  "media.transcribePending": {
+    en: "Telegram is still transcribing, try again shortly",
+    ru: "Telegram ещё расшифровывает, нажмите чуть позже",
+  },
+  "media.transcribeTooLong": {
+    en: "Too long for Telegram to transcribe",
+    ru: "Слишком длинное для расшифровки в Telegram",
+  },
   "media.transcription": { en: "Transcription", ru: "Расшифровка" },
   "media.unit.B": { en: "B", ru: "Б" },
   "media.unit.GB": { en: "GB", ru: "ГБ" },
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/media/transcript.svelte.ts b/frontend/src/lib/media/transcript.svelte.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f6f3612
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/media/transcript.svelte.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+import { requestTranscription } from "#lib/api/media.js";
+import { t } from "#lib/i18n/locale.svelte.js";
+import type { MessageKey } from "#lib/i18n/messages.js";
+import { toasts } from "#lib/stores/toasts.svelte.js";
+
+const REFUSALS: Record<string, MessageKey> = {
+  empty: "media.transcribeEmpty",
+  no_premium: "media.transcribeNoPremium",
+  pending: "media.transcribePending",
+  too_long: "media.transcribeTooLong",
+};
+
+export class Transcript {
+  readonly #chatId: () => number;
+  readonly #messageId: () => number;
+  readonly #initial: () => string | null;
+  fetched = $state<string | null>(null);
+  pending = $state(false);
+  shown = $state(false);
+
+  constructor(
+    chatId: () => number,
+    messageId: () => number,
+    initial: () => string | null
+  ) {
+    this.#chatId = chatId;
+    this.#messageId = messageId;
+    this.#initial = initial;
+  }
+
+  get text(): string | null {
+    return this.fetched ?? this.#initial();
+  }
+
+  get open(): boolean {
+    return this.shown && Boolean(this.text);
+  }
+
+  async toggle(): Promise<void> {
+    if (this.text) {
+      this.shown = !this.shown;
+      return;
+    }
+    if (this.pending) {
+      return;
+    }
+    this.pending = true;
+    try {
+      const outcome = await requestTranscription(
+        this.#chatId(),
+        this.#messageId()
+      );
+      if ("text" in outcome) {
+        this.fetched = outcome.text;
+        this.shown = true;
+      } else {
+        toasts.error(t(REFUSALS[outcome.error] ?? "media.transcribeFailed"));
+      }
+    } catch {
+      toasts.error(t("media.transcribeFailed"));
+    } finally {
+      this.pending = false;
+    }
+  }
+}