Device-Specific Transcription Issues

What's happening?

You might notice that:

• The transcription feature is completely absent on your device
• Transcription doesn't work despite being available on other devices
• The feature works inconsistently compared to other users with different devices
• You receive error messages specific to your device when attempting transcription

Why is this happening?

WhatsApp's transcription feature has different requirements and rollout schedules for various devices and operating systems. This variation could be due to:

• Hardware limitations on older devices that lack sufficient processing power
• Compatibility issues with certain operating system versions
• Phased rollout strategies that prioritize certain device types
• Device-specific optimizations that require additional development time
• Different AI models being used for different device architectures

Because transcription relies on on-device AI processing, devices with older or less powerful hardware may be unable to support the feature effectively.

Device requirements

For iOS devices:

• iPhone 8 or newer
• iOS 16 or later (iOS 17+ for expanded language support)
• At least 2GB of available storage

For Android devices:

• Android 11 or newer
• Minimum 3GB RAM
• ARMv8 processor or newer
• At least 1GB of available storage

Note: Requirements may change as WhatsApp updates its transcription technology. Some devices may be able to use the feature despite not meeting these specifications, while others meeting them might still experience issues.

What can you do?

• Ensure your device's operating system is updated to the latest available version
• Free up storage space on your device (at least 1-2GB recommended)
• Force stop and restart the WhatsApp application
• Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp to ensure you have the latest version
• Check if your device meets the minimum requirements listed above
• If using an older device, you may need to upgrade to access newer features
• Report the issue to WhatsApp support, specifying your device model and OS version