It will be possible to start converting voice messages in WhatsApp to transcripts, so you can read them instead of listening to them. iPhone users will be luckier than those with Android phones in this regard.
WhatsApp has offered the ability to send voice messages for years. That can be handy if you have a lot to say. But if you’re in a busy environment, having to play a voice message out loud can be uncomfortable. WhatsApp is now jumping into that gap.
In the near future, the messaging service is slowly rolling out a feature to all WhatsApp users that allows voice messages to be converted to text. If you turn on the feature, the transcribed text will automatically appear below the playback bar of a voice message.
What to watch out for with the new WhatsApp feature
To use the feature, you must first go to WhatsApp’s settings on your iPhone or Android device. There, under “Chats,” you can turn on the new feature. There you need to select a language used to convert messages. Then you can long-press a message to create a transcript.
And there’s the catch. Because in the Android version of WhatsApp, it is not possible to choose Dutch. You can only have English messages converted to text, which of course is inconvenient if the majority of your messages are in Dutch.
(Image: WhatsApp)
Why iPhone owners are luckier than Android users
iPhone users are luckier. In fact, they can use WhatsApp’s new feature in Dutch. That’s because WhatsApp appears to be using Siri to convert voice messages. You do need to have iOS 17 or newer to select Dutch as a language. In addition, you must have Siri enabled. Perhaps it can later find another way for Android users to make draft transcriptions in Dutch.
Meanwhile, the messaging service is also working on other new features. We’ve written more about one below. Namely, it deals with spam in your inbox.
