WhatsApp can now transcribe voice messages on Android

WhatsApp is finally adding a transcription feature for voice messages to its Android app. Launched over a year ago on iOS, the transcription feature lets you quickly get a speech-to-text conversion for a voice message, saving time and effort. While it is good news for WhatsApp users with Android devices, they may have to wait for a while. WhatsApp has made the feature available in the latest beta version, meaning most users cannot access it.

WABetaInfo has reported the latest WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.24.15.5 brings the transcription feature for voice messages. As a beta tester, you can update the app from the Google Play Store and head to the Chats option to enable the feature. If you are not a beta tester, go to the Play Store, look for WhatsApp, and scroll down to find the beta programme card. Tap the card to join the waitlist and you will be notified once your application is accepted.

Once you enable the feature, WhatsApp will prompt you to download a language pack for the transcription service as it depends on your device’s speech recognition functionality. The current languages supported in WhatsApp are English, Hindi, Spanish, Russian, and Brazilian Portuguese. The transcriptions will be end-to-end encrypted, so nothing leaves your device. Even WhatsApp cannot read the transcriptions, much like text messages in the app. After you have enabled the feature, it will automatically transcribe voice messages in the chosen language within the voice message bubble. Remember you will need to play voice messages — even without volume — for the transcription to happen.

The report said WhatsApp will initially release the feature in regions where the aforementioned languages are widely spoken. But you can expect WhatsApp to add more languages in future. While there is no confirmation of when transcription for voice messages is coming to WhatsApp’s stable Android app, it should not be too far given its beta testing status. Meanwhile, WhatsApp users on iPhones can access the feature in supported languages.