CALIFORNIA (Kashmir English): Popular Meta-owned messaging platform, WhatsApp, has introduced an exceedingly anticipated feature that allows users to transcribe voice messages into text.
This new feature allows users to convert voice messages into text with a select range of languages supported like English, Russian, Spanish and Portuguese so far. Voice message transcription is now available worldwide.
The feature is designed to enhance user experience, especially in situations where listening to audio is quite difficult or not possible.
The voice message transcription feature was first announced in November 2024. The update would utilise on-device processing to ensure that user data remains private during the whole transcription process.
The new feature is being gradually introduced and will be completely accessible to users in the coming days.
Currently, the transcription feature supports languages as English, Russian, Spanish and Portuguese.
Certain regions like South Asia do not yet have full support for local languages, such as Hindi or Urdu.
The platform, however, has plans to expand the languages available in the future.
Must have the latest version of WhatsApp
To avail the facility, users must have the latest version of WhatsApp. The process involves navigating to the “Settings” menu, selecting “Chats,” and enabling the “Voice Message Transcripts” option.
Once activated, users can transcribe a voice message by long-pressing the message and selecting the “Transcribe” option from the “More Options” menu. The transcribed text will also appear alongside the voice message.
As the new feature significantly improves accessibility, some limitations exist. Voice messages that contain background noise or unclear may not be transcribed accurately.
The feature is still in its early stages and the company is expected to make improvements over time.
The introduction of the new feature aims to make communication further easier, offering a more appropriate alternative for those who prefer reading over listening to voice notes.
