WhatsApp said in its blog that transcripts would be rolled out over the coming weeks
| Photo Credit: WhatsApp blog

WhatsApp is rolling out the ability to generate transcripts for voice messages, enabling users to quickly read the contents of a long voice note instead instead of having to listen to it in full.

In order to get transcripts of voice messages, users will have to activate the function through their WhatsApp settings and also choose their preferred language. Supported languages at the moment include English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Russian. Users can also choose whether they want to transcribe the voice message or not.

“Sending a voice message makes connecting with friends and family even more personal. There’s something special about hearing your loved one’s voice even when you’re far away. Though sometimes, you’re on the move, in a loud place, or you receive a long voice message that you just can’t stop and listen,” said WhatsApp in its blog.

Regarding privacy, the messaging service noted that “transcripts are generated on your device so that no one else, not even WhatsApp, can hear or read your personal messages.”

However, WhatsApp warned that not all transcriptions may be accurate, and that a “Transcript unavailable” error might show in case of excessive background noise or unclear words.

The feature is currently being rolled out and should reach users globally in a few weeks, while more languages are slated to be added in coming months.