WhatsApp now lets users transcribe voice messages into text

WhatsApp, the popular messaging platform owned by Meta, has launched a highly anticipated feature that allows users to convert voice messages into text.

This new update, which began rolling out globally, is designed to enhance user experience, especially in situations where listening to audio is inconvenient or not possible.

The voice message transcription feature, which was first announced in November last year, utilises on-device processing to ensure that user data remains private during the transcription process. The feature is being gradually introduced and will be fully accessible to users in the coming weeks.

Currently, the transcription feature supports multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian. However, certain regions, including South Asia, do not yet have full support for local languages, such as Urdu or Hindi, although the platform has plans to expand the languages available in the future.

To activate this feature, users must ensure they have the latest version of WhatsApp. The process involves navigating to the “Settings” menu, selecting “Chats,” and enabling the “Voice Message Transcripts” option.

Photo: FILE

Once activated, users can transcribe any voice message by long-pressing the message and selecting the “Transcribe” option from the “More Options” menu. The transcribed text will appear alongside the voice message.

While the new feature greatly improves accessibility, some limitations exist. For example, voice messages that are unclear or contain background noise may not be transcribed accurately. However, as the feature is still in its early stages, WhatsApp is expected to make improvements over time.

The introduction of voice message transcription aims to make communication easier, offering a more convenient alternative for those who prefer reading over listening to voice messages.