WhatsApp update: iPhone users set for exciting new feature which will revolutionise how you send messages

Nicholas.T.Ansell
Carl Bennett

By Carl Bennett


Published: 10/02/2023

- 14:01

The feature was first noted in 2021, but paused in mid-2022 for unknown reasons

Sending messages on WhatsApp is about to become even easier as the popular messaging app is testing a transcription feature.

With many users enjoying the apps voice note option, it does create some problems for others, so the new feature will come as a blessing to those who want to read the message instead.


The latest beta version of WhatsApp for iPhone has introduced a transcription feature for audio messages. This will identify what has been said in the message and transform the audio into text.

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WABetaInfo

As it is in the early development stages there are still some issues, such as not being able to identify words, or transcribing other languages.

First noted in September 2021 by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp confirmed it was in the “very early stages of designing and prototyping” the feature, but they noted in May 2022 the testing had paused for unknown reasons.

Currently, the only way to offer a transcription for voice messages is to install a third-party app.

In terms of privacy, the transcription is performed on the phone rather than being sent to WhatsApp of Apple servers.

The feature is still only available in beta versions of the app for iPhone, with no known date for Android devices.

Telegram, a noted competitor of WhatsApp, does already offer a similar service which transcribes audio and video, but only for premium subscribers.

In comparison, WhatsApp would offer the service for free.

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