WhatsApp Introduces Typing Indicators and Expands Voice Message Transcripts

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WhatsApp has rolled out a new feature that enhances real-time communication for users, the company announced on Thursday. The update introduces typing indicators with visual cues in chats, making it easier to track active conversations in both individual and group chats. This comes alongside the recently launched voice message transcripts, which allow users to view text-based transcriptions of voice messages.

Real-Time Typing Indicators

In its latest update, WhatsApp has added visual typing indicators to improve the chatting experience. These indicators display as “...” at the bottom of the chat screen, accompanied by the profile picture of the person typing.
For group chats, this feature is particularly helpful, as it shows who is typing even when multiple participants are engaged simultaneously. The update supplements the existing typing indicator that appears in the top banner of chats, providing a more immediate and intuitive experience.
The feature was first spotted during testing in October and was initially available to select beta testers. WhatsApp has now confirmed that the typing indicators are being rolled out on both iOS and Android platforms.

Voice Message Transcripts

WhatsApp also introduced voice message transcripts last month, offering a new way to interact with voice messages. This feature provides a text-based transcription of the voice message received, making it easier for users to consume audio content without listening. Importantly, only the recipient can view the transcript, ensuring privacy for both sender and receiver.
The transcription process is performed entirely on the user’s device, maintaining WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption. The company assures users that no external party can access the voice message or its transcript.

Language Support for Transcripts

Voice message transcripts currently support the following languages:

• Android: English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Russian.
• iOS: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai, Turkish, and Swedish.

This expanded language support makes the feature accessible to a broader range of users worldwide.

Enhancing Communication on WhatsApp

With these updates, WhatsApp continues to refine its platform for seamless communication. The typing indicators improve real-time engagement, particularly in group chats, while the voice message transcripts make interactions more convenient and accessible.
Both features are available now on iOS and Android devices, bringing new dimensions of functionality to WhatsApp’s extensive user base. These updates underscore WhatsApp’s commitment to enhancing the messaging experience while upholding its strong privacy standards.