(Credit: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
WhatsApp is rolling out voice message transcripts to all users in the coming weeks, the company announced Thursday.
The feature—which others like Apple's Messages and Phone apps already offer—is useful when you receive a voice message but can't play it because you're on the move, in a loud place, or around other people. It's also helpful if you have difficulty hearing crackling audio or have a hearing disability.
To start getting voice message transcripts, you'll need to enable the feature on the app by visiting Settings > Chats > Voice Message Transcripts when available and choose your transcript language. iOS users will also have to enable Siri to use the feature.
Once set up, you can view a transcript by holding down a voice message and selecting "Transcribe." Only the recipient can view the transcript on the end-to-end encrypted app.
(Credit: WhatsApp)On Android, WhatsApp voice transcripts will be supported in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian. On iOS 16 and up, it will be supported in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Turkish, Chinese, and Arabic. iPhone users with iOS 17 and newer can also get Danish, Finnish, Hebrew, Malay, Norwegian, Dutch, Swedish, and Thai voice transcripts on the app.
Voice messages remain end-to-end encrypted, and all transcripts will be generated on-device to prevent anyone, including WhatsApp, from hearing the messages or viewing the content of the transcripts, the company confirmed.