Getting a four-minute voice note when you’re somewhere loud, or in the middle of a meeting, is a familiar problem. WhatsApp has a built-in fix: voice message transcripts, which turn the audio into text right under the message. You have to switch it on once. This guide covers how to do that on iPhone and Android, which languages work, and what to do when it doesn’t.
What WhatsApp voice message transcripts are
It’s a feature that converts a voice message you received into written text inside the chat. WhatsApp announced it in November 2024 and rolled it out over several weeks, starting with a few languages, so the option can take a while to show up on older versions or accounts.
On privacy, WhatsApp says transcripts are generated on your device. According to the company, that means no one else, including WhatsApp, can access the text. Your personal voice messages stay end-to-end encrypted.
How to turn it on (iPhone)
- Make sure Siri is on. On iPhone, WhatsApp says Siri must be enabled for transcripts to work. If it’s off, open iOS Settings, go to Siri, and turn it on first.
- Update WhatsApp from the App Store.
- Open WhatsApp and tap Settings.
- Tap Chats, then Voice message transcripts.
- Turn the feature on and choose your transcript language.
On iPhone, language support depends on your iOS version. Per BGR, iOS 16 or later supports English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Turkish, Chinese and Arabic. iOS 17 or later adds Danish, Finnish, Hebrew, Malay, Norwegian, Dutch, Swedish and Thai.
How to turn it on (Android)
- Update WhatsApp from Google Play.
- Open WhatsApp, tap the three dots at the top right, then Settings.
- Tap Chats, then Voice message transcripts.
- Turn it on and pick your language.
Android had a shorter list at launch: English, Portuguese, Spanish and Russian, according to BGR. If WhatsApp has added more since, you’ll see them on that same screen. There’s no Siri-style requirement on Android.
How to transcribe a message
Once the feature is on:
- Open the chat with the voice message.
- Press and hold the message.
- Tap Transcribe.
- The text appears under the audio.
It doesn’t transcribe everything automatically. You choose which messages to convert. Based on reports about the feature, the person who sent the voice message isn’t notified that you transcribed it.
Match the language, or it will fail
The most common mistake is a language mismatch. If your transcript language is set to English and your friend sends a voice note in Spanish, you’ll get errors or an unavailable notice. Go back to Voice message transcripts and switch the language before trying again. The language list is per device, so what works on a friend’s iPhone may not be available on your Android phone.
Why you see “transcript unavailable”
WhatsApp points to three main causes:
- The transcript language in settings doesn’t match the language spoken in the message.
- Some words weren’t recognized, for example because of background noise in the recording.
- The message’s language isn’t supported on your device.
If the Transcribe option doesn’t show up at all, update the app and restart your phone. Because the rollout was gradual, it may simply not have reached your account yet.
Tips for better transcripts
Quality depends on the audio. Recordings made on a busy street, in the wind or with loud music are the ones most likely to produce wrong words or the unavailable message. If you send voice notes yourself, speaking close to the microphone and at a calm pace helps whoever transcribes them. And if your chats mix languages, remember you choose one transcript language at a time, so change it in settings to match the message.
Don’t rely on it blindly
WhatsApp itself warns that transcripts can be inaccurate. Names, addresses, amounts and times are the riskiest parts. If the message is about money, health or a firm commitment, use the text for the gist and listen to the important part.
While you’re in settings, it’s a good moment to turn on WhatsApp two-step verification and check that your chat backup is current.
Frequently asked questions
Is WhatsApp voice message transcription free?
The sources we checked don’t mention any charge. The feature is part of the app’s settings and runs on your device.
Does the sender see that I transcribed their message?
According to reports on the feature, no. The transcript shows up only on your phone.
What if the message language isn’t on the list?
Then transcription won’t work and the app shows the unavailable notice. On Android the launch list had only four languages, so check the options in your version.
Does it transcribe every voice message automatically?
No. You press and hold each message and tap Transcribe.
