Something I have noticed with Chiari Malformation and associated mild auditory processing issues is that it can be challenging for me to follow along with conversations if there’s a lot of background noise or distracting sounds. Since I also have low vision, it can be challenging to follow along with captioning tools that have small print or that are displayed on a screen at a distance, so I started using Google Live Transcribe with low vision accessibility settings to help with short-term captioning needs or helping me make sure that I don’t miss any information. Here is a list of strategies for using Google Live Transcribe with low vision, based on my experience using Live Transcribe for short tasks.
Overview of Google Live Transcribe
Google Live Transcribe is a free captioning application for Android that uses machine learning to generate automatic captions for speech and sounds that are captured by the device microphone (or an external microphone). Live Transcribe can be used online or offline and offers support for multiple languages, along with the option to save transcription history or copy/paste transcripts into another application.
Live Transcribe is free to download from the Play Store and available for Android 12 and up. It also comes pre-installed on Pixel phones and some other Android phones.
Can Google Live Transcribe be used with a braille display?
Live Transcribe does not provide direct support for braille displays connected to an Android device. In my own testing, Live Transcribe did work with uncontracted (Grade 1) English braille, though there was a five-second delay between when the text appeared on the device screen and when it appeared on the braille display, plus it was challenging to scroll through the transcript.
My primary experience with using Live Transcribe and a refreshable braille display has been using Live Transcribe to generate transcripts and copy/pasting them into another application so a student could navigate the transcript with their braille display. I do not have any experience using a braille display for my own access needs, as I don’t read braille due to limited sensitivity in my hands from Chiari Malformation.
Related links
- Live Transcribe – Google Play Store
- Low Vision Accessibility Settings For Android Phones
- How I Explain My Brain With Chiari Malformation
Similar applications to Live Transcribe
Live Transcribe isn’t the only accessibility application developed by Google for users with hearing loss or auditory processing disorders. Other applications that are similar in functionality to Live Transcribe include:
- Google Live Caption is used for captioning media with audio on Google Chrome (e.g. videos) and phone calls on Pixel devices and some other Android phones. This is a built-in accessibility feature for supported devices.
- Sound Amplifier from Google uses headphones to make it easier for individuals to hear conversations, TV, or other people talking with custom audio settings. Sound Amplifier is available for Android 8.1 and later.
- Sound Notifications is a feature available with Live Transcribe that notifies users to sounds like a doorbell ringing or water running using vibrating or flashing notifications.
Is Live Transcribe available for iOS devices?
Google’s Live Transcribe app is not available for iPhone, iPad, or other iOS devices, but Apple does offer similar features as part of their hearing accessibility settings under the following names:
- Live Captions (note: English only)
- Headphone Accommodations
- Live Listen
- Conversation Boost
- Sound recognition
Each of these features are available in the Settings app under the Accessibility menu.
Related links
- Live Caption — Google Support
- Sound Amplifier — Google Play Store
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Headphones
- How To Make iPad Accessible for Low Vision
How to use Google Live Transcribe
To access Google Live Transcribe for the first time, download the Live Transcribe app or open Live Transcribe by going to Settings > Accessibility > Live Transcribe > Open Live Transcribe (for Pixel devices). Users can set up an accessibility shortcut to quickly open the application in Settings.
Live Transcribe can be used while connected to the internet or offline. When the Live Transcribe app is open, users can point their device microphone at an audio source and captions will automatically appear on their device’s screen. Users can scroll back in the transcript to see what was previously said, copy and paste text from the transcript, or just watch the screen as text appears in real time.
Live Transcribe can also be used to type or have responses read out loud with a synthesized voice. Select the keyboard icon to type a word or phrase, and then select the speaker icon to have it read out loud.
One thing to note is that continuous use of Live Transcribe can drain a device battery more quickly— make sure to have a portable charger or option for charging the device if using Live Transcribe for prolonged periods of time.
Live Transcribe settings for Android
To configure additional settings for Live Transcribe, select the Settings icon in the bottom left corner of the Live Transcribe app. These settings are automatically saved and will be enabled by default whenever the user opens the app.
Live Transcribe also works with the third-party Big Font app, but users may need to configure text settings manually since the font can sometimes appear too big on the screen.
Google Live Transcribe Settings menu
- Search transcript for specific words/phrases
- Text size— Live Transcribe supports system font sizes and offers five additional large font sizes, with the largest size equivalent to over 72 pt font.
- Transcription History— Save transcription history for 3 days or delete transcripts after 24 hours
- Sound Notifications— Get notified about important sounds or create custom notifications for specific sounds
Google Live Transcribe More Settings menu
- Text size— preview font size
- Theme— system default, light, or dark
- Show icon in the app list— Live Transcribe will be visible in the app drawer
- Voice for typed responses— When typing a response, choose the synthesized voice that will read the response out loud. Varies by language
- Microphone— use device microphone or external microphone
- Primary language and secondary language
- Custom words— Add custom words and phrases that aren’t in the device dictionary and may not otherwise be recognized
- Transcription history
- Delete history
- Vibrate when name is spoken— this includes the option to add multiple names
- Vibrate when speech resumes— device vibrates if someone starts speaking after pausing for more than ten seconds
- Sound labels— labels sounds such as laughing, clapping, music, etc.
- Hide profanity— words will be shown with the first letter and have the remaining letters replaced with asterisks
- Show hold button to pause transcription for reading
- Offline transcriptions, including settings for downloading primary and secondary languages to reduce data usage.
Related links
- Choosing Between Light Mode and Dark Mode For Low Vision
- Customize Accessibility Settings For Specific Apps
Examples of what gets captioned with Live Transcribe
Wondering what to expect when using Live Transcribe for captions? Here are examples of sounds and audio that Live Transcribe recognizes:
- Speech or spoken words from someone that is in relatively close proximity to the microphone, such as a lecturer in an otherwise quiet room or a conversation partner sitting across/next to someone.
- Synthesized speech or voices from AAC users
- Background sounds such as laughter
- Music or song lyrics from loud music or music within close proximity to the microphone
- Automatic detection for other languages supported by Live Transcribe. This includes secondary languages set by the user as well as other languages when connected to the internet/mobile data.
To improve accuracy for things like acronyms, technical vocabulary/terminology, and names, I recommend adding words and phrases within the Custom Words dictionary in the settings menu.
Ideas for using Live Transcribe with low vision
I started using Live Transcribe to help with auditory processing disorder associated with Chiari Malformation, and it has made a difference in helping me to follow along with conversations, lectures, and situations where I get tired of telling my conversation partner “what did you just say?” or when I notice I am mishearing a lot of words. Specific ideas for using Google Live Transcribe with low vision include:
- Creating a transcript for lectures in a classroom, which can be helpful for reviewing notes later or copy/pasting information into another application. While no captioning tool is 100% accurate, this can be a helpful note-taking strategy for students approved to record lectures.
- Making it easier to understand a quiet conversation partner. Since speaking louder isn’t always an option, I will use Live Transcribe to help with following along with voice calls on my computer since I can hold the phone closer to my face.
- Can’t hear someone at the grocery store or in the car? After I noticed I couldn’t hear what my friend was saying because my brain was fixated on other sounds, Live Transcribe made it easier to read what they were saying instead of me repeatedly saying “huh?” or trying to guess what they were talking about
- When I couldn’t use my voice to speak, I used Live Transcribe for verbal communication by typing what I wanted to say and using the speaker function.
- One of my friends started using Live Transcribe to create alt text or image descriptions so they could copy/paste the text into another application— this was easier for them than using dictation on a keyboard.
- For individuals learning a new language, having Live Transcribe on can help with word recognition and learning to write/spell.
Live Transcribe is not a replacement for professional captioning/CART or sign language, and it does not translate audio content into another language.
Related links
- Disability and Classroom Accommodations For Chiari Malformation
- Common Classroom Accommodations For Low Vision
- How To Add Alt Text On Social Media
- Language Learning Tips And Resources For Low Vision
More resources for using Google Live Transcribe on Android with low vision
- Want to learn more about Android accessibility? Read Low Vision Accessibility Settings For Android Phones
- Interested in reading a transcript with large print or a simplified reading display? Try Google Reader Mode and Low Vision
- When possible, I recommend enabling vibrating notifications over flashing notifications since these can be triggering for people with light sensitivity. Learn more at Smartphone Accessibility Settings For Photosensitivity
- Need to read large print text? Consider using a teleprompter application— I share more ideas in Ways To Use Teleprompter Apps As Assistive Technology
Published February 4, 2020. Updated January 2025