WhatsApp is testing live translation and on-device voice message transcription for Android

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

The Live Translation feature, spotted in WhatsApp beta version 2.24.15.8 for Android, is said to leverage on-device processing, meaning message data remains on the user’s device instead of being sent to a server. This approach prioritizes privacy and potentially offers faster translation speeds.

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 for users to copy and paste text into external translation apps.

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

While not yet widely available, even to beta testers, the feature will reportedly display a banner below voicemail messages, prompting users to generate a transcription if they wish.