WhatsApp Rolls Out New Audio Transcription Feature For Voice Messages

WhatsApp announced yesterday that the company’s feature to transcribe audio messages will start rolling out in the next few weeks globally.

According to 9to5Mac, WhatsApp announced the feature last year and started rolling it out back then but only for beta users. Now, all users with up-to-date software and in certain regions will be able to access the transcription feature.

“We’re excited to introduce voice message transcripts,” shared the company in a public statement. “Voice messages can be transcribed into text to help you keep up with conversations no matter what you’re doing.”

Users interested in the feature must go to Settings, then Chats, activate the Voice message transcript option, and choose the preferred language option available: English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian at the moment. To transcribe a voice message, users must press the voice message in the chat and wait for the message “transcribe” to pop up.

However, not all languages are supported and the company warns about possible errors. In its Frequently Asked Questions section, Whatsapp explains that the feature won’t work if the language of the voice message is different from the language previously chosen in the settings. Also, noises and certain words might be difficult for the technology to recognize.

WhatsApp clarified that the transcriptions are generated directly through the platform on the user’s device and that no one can hear or read personal messages, not even them.

Users on X have already reacted and commented on WhatsApp’s announcement. “Finally! I have been waiting years for this 🤩,” wrote one user. “This is a game-changer for convenience and privacy! Having the option to read voice messages while keeping the content secure is a great move by WhatsApp,” added another.

📣 transcripts for voice messages are rolling out now! so when you can’t listen right away, you have the option to read them

voice messages transcripts are generated on your phone so that no one, not even WhatsApp, can hear or read them 🔒 rolling out in select languages

— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) November 21, 2024

WhatsApp reached over 100 million users in the United States in July and keeps competing with other messaging apps to offer its users similar or unique features.