WhatsApp is working on an option to automatically transcribe voice messages

The iOS version of WhatsApp will probably have an option to automatically transcribe voice messages, WABetaInfo discovered. It allows users to get the contents of voice messages without having to listen to the audio.

WABetaInfo reports that the new feature adds a “transcribe section” to voice messages. Per timestamp there are the words that are said successively in the message, so that it is possible to scroll through the message quickly. According to WABetaInfo, the transcripts are stored locally on the user’s device, eliminating the need for WhatsApp to transcribe the same message over and over.

The first time a user on an Apple device wants to try the feature, WhatsApp asks in a pop-up for permission to share the voice data with Apple, according to WABetainfo. According to the pop-up message, Apple is using that data to improve its voice recognition technology.

WABetaInfo discovered the feature in a test version for iOS. The site could not say anything about a possible Android variant. It is not yet known when the feature will be available. According to the site, the option will be presented to beta testers in a future update before the rest of the app users get it.

WABetaInfo more often discovers unannounced features in WhatsApp test versions. For example, according to the site, there would also be an option to exclude contacts from ‘Last seen’. Furthermore, WhatsApp is also said to be testing a ‘View Once’ function for photos and videos.