A method is provided for communicating a non-speech message as audio from a first device to a second device such that information can be passed between the first and second device. The method includes: encoding the non-speech message as a dissimilar speech message having a plurality of phonemes; transmitting the speech message over one or more audio communications channels from the first device; receiving the speech message at the second device; recognizing the speech message; and decoding the dissimilar speech message to the non-speech message. By using existing audio functionality, and the increasingly more reliable voice recognition applications, an improved method is provided for sharing complex data messages using commonly available communication channels.