WhatsApp voice notes are a favorite among users who prefer not to type lengthy messages. With just a tap, you can record and send your message to contacts. Now, WhatsApp has introduced a new feature that allows you to read these voice notes as text.
The transcription feature provides a word-by-word text version of the audio chat, offering a convenient way to convert spoken conversations into written notes. This is especially useful for those who need to record conversations but want to avoid the time-consuming task of manually transcribing them.
We’ve been discussing the new WhatsApp transcribe feature and its anticipated release for some time, and now it’s finally available for Android users. Recently, we got a closer look at how this feature works.
WhatsApp Voice Note Transcription in Hindi and More Languages: Here’s How
This feature can be accessed directly within chats, and you can enable it through the WhatsApp settings. To activate the transcription option, go to Settings, and manually enable it. Once activated, a prompt will appear below any voice note, asking if you’d like WhatsApp to transcribe the audio file. Simply click on the prompt, and WhatsApp will download a text file, displaying the transcription right below the voice note.
Here’s how it works:
- Receive a voice note.
- WhatsApp will present an option to transcribe it.
- Click on “Download” to proceed.
- The transcription process typically results in a file size of around 90MB.
- The text of the voice note will appear below the voice file.
This transcription feature currently works only on mobile devices, so it’s not available on the web version of WhatsApp. It supports five languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, and Hindi. If needed, you can disable the transcription option by navigating to:
Settings -> Chats -> Voice Message Transcripts (toggle bar)
WhatsApp ensures that all your personal voice messages remain end-to-end encrypted. No one outside the chat, not even WhatsApp, can access them. Additionally, the transcribed text file cannot be shared, which is a positive aspect in terms of privacy.
Also Read: WhatsApp Tests New Feature: Usernames Could Replace Phone Numbers—What It Means for Users
Does It Really Work?
In our experience, the voice note transcription feature performs well about 95% of the time. However, any mispronounced or muffled words might result in inaccuracies in the transcription. For instance, if a word is unclear, WhatsApp’s technology may misinterpret it. Despite this, a 95% accuracy rate is a strong start, and we are optimistic that the platform will address the remaining issues in future updates.
Interestingly, the transcription feature works both ways, meaning that any voice note you send can also be transcribed in the chat.