How to enable WhatsApp message reading aloud for Android: Complete guide and advanced tips

  • Accessibility features and voice assistants allow you to listen to WhatsApp messages without external apps.
  • There are third-party applications that extend and personalize the experience.
  • These tools improve security and convenience when using WhatsApp in everyday situations.

How to listen to WhatsApp messages aloud on Android

Have you ever received an important WhatsApp message while you couldn't look at your phone? Driving, cooking, or simply having your hands full are common situations where looking at a screen isn't the best option. Fortunately, our smartphone technology has evolved to offer features that allow us to listen to messages aloud.

Nowadays, having your Android phone read WhatsApp messages aloud is not only possible, but also very easy to activate. There are official methods, native features, accessibility tricks, and third-party apps that can turn your phone into a true virtual assistant.

Why listen to WhatsApp messages out loud?

New forms of communication have made WhatsApp an essential tool for both work and social life. However, it is not always possible to read the messages we receive instantly, either for security reasons (such as when driving) or for simple convenience.This is where the need arises for solutions that allow us to access information without having to stare at the screen.

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Reading messages aloud is incredibly useful in situations such as:

  • Driving or traveling by car, where keeping your eyes on the road is mandatory
  • While you cook, clean, exercise, or have your hands busy
  • In low-light environments or when you simply want to rest your eyes
  • For people with visual difficulties or who prefer listening to text

Let's see in detail All the options available for WhatsApp to read your messages aloud on Android, from the system's own functions to specialized apps.

Activate voice messages in WhatsApp

Native Aloud Reading on Android: Enabling 'Select to Speak'

Android incorporates very powerful accessibility options which, in addition to their primary purpose for people with vision difficulties, are useful for any user who wants to get more out of their phone.

Step by Step: How to Enable Screen Reading on Android

  1. Open the application Settings from your Android device.
  2. Look for the section Accessibility (may vary slightly depending on the brand or Android version).
  3. Within Accessibility, locate and select the option Select to pronounce o Selection to read. Activate it.
  4. The system may ask for additional permissions; please accept them so the feature can read text on the screen.
  5. After activation, a message will appear on the screen. floating human figure icon. It will help you start reading whenever you need to.

How is it used? Enter your WhatsApp conversation, tap the human icon, and then select the message you want to listen to. The system will start reading the chosen text aloud.This tool works not only with WhatsApp, but with any text you see on screen: emails, news, menus, etc.

This is a simple but highly effective feature that transforms your phone into a personal, on-demand reader.

Google Assistant: Your ally for reading messages without touching your phone

Beyond accessibility options, Android integrates the Google Assistant, a powerful assistant that recognizes voice commands and is capable of managing a large part of your notifications, including those from WhatsApp.

Set up Google Assistant to read WhatsApp messages

  1. Open the app Google Assistant or activate it by saying “Ok Google".
  2. Click on your profile picture to access adjustments.
  3. In the settings menu, look for the section Hey Google and Voice Match and turn it on to allow voice interaction.
  4. Make sure you grant the necessary permissions so that the Assistant can access your notifications and WhatsApp information.
  5. When you have everything ready, say: “Ok Google, read my WhatsApp messages”.

The Assistant will tell you if you have any pending messages and, if so, will read aloud the most recent messages (whether from individual chats or groups, although prioritizing the most recently received ones).

In addition, this system asks you if you want to answer by voice, allowing you to dictate messages without having to type or open the app. Ideal for use on the road or when you need maximum speed and convenience.

Tip: Always keep the app updated and check that notification permissions are enabled, as without them, the Google Assistant won't be able to interact with WhatsApp or read your messages. To better understand how these features work, you can check out our article on how to enable message reading on WhatsApp Android, where we explain each step in detail.

Reading WhatsApp messages on Android Auto: Driving safety

If you use Android Auto In your car, the integration with WhatsApp is especially practical. The system receives and reads message notifications aloud while you're driving, and offers the option to reply by voice.

  1. When you receive a message, Android Auto will announce it and ask if you want to listen to it.
  2. After reading it, it will give you the option to also respond by voice dictation.

Interacting with WhatsApp on Android Auto minimizes distractions and increases safety., as there is no need to manipulate the screen or take your eyes off the road.

Third-party apps: Expand your reading aloud options

There are third-party apps on Google Play designed specifically for read aloud WhatsApp notifications and messagesThese apps typically offer more customization options, filters, and advanced features, although they require granting certain additional permissions.

Notification reader, SMS, email, messages

One of the most popular is “Notification reader, SMS, email, messages”. After installing it and granting the necessary notification access permissions:

  • You can choose which apps you want your phone to read aloud: WhatsApp, Telegram, Gmail, etc.
  • It offers modes such as Bluetooth (for listening through headphones or the car's multimedia system), private mode, auto-answer, and other exclusive settings.
  • Allows you to enable reading only of messages or notifications from specific contacts, providing greater control over privacy.
  • If you're concerned about privacy, you can turn on private mode to avoid hearing messages when sharing a space.

Audify

Audify is another outstanding notification reader. Its strong point is that in addition to reading messages, can translate and announce emojis that you receive on WhatsApp, describing their meaning so you know if they've sent you a smiley face, an alarm signal, etc.

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It's very easy to use, and among its settings you can delete read messages to avoid repetitions, control the volume, or choose where you want to hear the alerts.

Spoken notifications

La app Spoken notifications It focuses on reading not only WhatsApp messages, but also emails, SMS, and other notifications, even when your phone is locked. Grant the necessary permissions and configure which apps you want to read aloud, the voice type, output device, and multiple parameters to adapt it to your daily routine.

Message Reader and other alternatives

alternatives like Message Reader or generic text readers (e.g., "Text - Text & Speech") abound on Google Play. Many include options to customize the experience, such as choosing whether to read messages only through the speaker or headphones, filtering notifications, or even scheduling automatic replies.

Always remember to check your privacy and security settings. when installing these types of apps, as they often request full access to notifications and, in some cases, to your contacts or microphone.

Additional Tips and Privacy Considerations

Read-aloud features are useful, but they also require some training. attention to privacyIf you're surrounded by people, anyone nearby can listen to your WhatsApp messages. To prevent this:

  • Disable the feature when in shared environments.
  • Set filters so that only messages from certain contacts or groups are read.
  • In some apps, you can activate private mode to avoid playing “sensitive” messages.

Also remember that reading aloud depends on the volume of the device. and the type of active output (speakerphone, headset, Bluetooth). It may be helpful to use a headset to discreetly receive messages aloud.

And on iOS? Siri and other features for WhatsApp on iPhone

Although this article focuses on Android, it is interesting to mention that Apple users also have similar features using Siri or the system's own screen reading:

  • Turn on “Hey Siri” in Settings > Siri & Search.
  • Ask “Hey Siri, read my WhatsApp messages” and Siri will access your notifications and read them aloud.
  • You can even dictate voice responses after listening to messages.
  • On iOS, you can enable "Speak Screen" in the accessibility settings to have the system read any text that appears in WhatsApp or any other app by swiping two fingers down from the top of the screen.

What about group messages and audio transcripts?

A frequently asked question is whether These functions also work for messages received in WhatsApp groups.The answer is yes, although with limitations: both Google Assistant and third-party apps tend to prioritize the most recent messages, and if you have a lot of unread messages, only the most recent ones may be announced or you may be told that you have several pending messages.

To optimize your experience:

  • Always update WhatsApp and the assistant app you use.
  • Grant and review notification permissions
  • If you have a lot of active chats, try apps with filters to select only the groups or contacts that really interest you.

On the other hand, if you receive voice notes and you can't listen to them at the moment, some recent versions of WhatsApp allow automatically transcribe audio to text from the "Chats" settings by enabling the corresponding option. This way, you can also read audio files in text format and, if you wish, activate reading aloud using the options we've already explained.

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By activating these features, you can improve message management and maintain communication in multiple situations without having to constantly touch your phone. Share the information so that more people know about the topic.

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