WhatsApp tests live translation and voice message transcription on Android devices

WhatsApp is reportedly working on two new features for its Android app: live on-device message translation and live voice message transcription, according to feature tracker WABetaInfo. While these features are still in development, they could significantly improve the user experience, especially in terms of multilingual communication and accessibility.

The live translation feature, spotted in the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.15.8, is said to use on-device processing, meaning that message data stays on the user’s device rather than being sent to a server. This approach puts privacy first and potentially offers faster translation speeds.

While initially limited to English and Hindi, the feature is expected to support more languages ​​in the future. Users may need to download specific language packs to enable translation. Interestingly, WABetaInfo speculates that translation could happen automatically in chats, eliminating the need to copy and paste text into external translation apps.

In a separate development, WhatsApp is also testing live transcription for voice messages. The feature, spotted in the WhatsApp for Android 2.24.15.5 beta, could be a game-changer for users who prefer audio messages or those with accessibility needs.

While the feature isn’t widely available yet, even to beta testers, it reportedly displays a banner below voicemails asking users to generate a transcript if they wish.