Live Transcribe

What Is It, In Plain Words?

Live Transcribe is a free Google app for Android phones that shows live captions of what people around you are saying. Words appear on the screen as they're spoken.

It helps if you're deaf or hard of hearing, or in a noisy place.

What You Can Use It For

• Conversations. Read what family are saying at a busy dinner.
• Appointments. Follow what the doctor says.
• Sound alerts. It can let you know about sounds like a doorbell or a baby crying.

Getting Started Step By Step

On An Android Phone

1. Open Google Play and search for Live Transcribe & Notification, made by Research at Google. It may already be installed.
2. Open it and allow microphone access.
3. Put the phone on the table between you and the person speaking.
4. Read the words as they appear. Tap the text size button to make them bigger.

Things To Try Typing

Things to try in the app.

What It Costs

It's free. There's no paid version to buy.

If anyone asks you to pay to use it, or to "unlock" it, that's a scam.

Privacy And Safety

• Transcripts are kept on your phone, and only saved if you switch on saving. Tell people when you're using it.
• Never type passwords, PINs, bank or card numbers, your National Insurance number (UK) or Social Security number (USA).

Good Points And Watch-Outs

Good Points

• Free and quick.
• Big, adjustable text.
• Works in many languages.

Watch-Outs

• Android only. On iPhone, try Live Captions in Accessibility settings.
• Mistakes happen with accents and background noise.
• Needs an internet connection for best results.

Similar Tools

• Otter: turns speech into written notes.
• AirPods Pro hearing aid feature: turns supported AirPods Pro into hearing aids.
• Lookout: Google's Android app that reads text aloud.

Common Questions

Is Live Transcribe free?

Yes, it's free.

Does it work on iPhone?

No. On iPhone, try Live Captions in Settings, Accessibility.

Can I make the words bigger?

Yes. Use the text size setting in the app.