TikTok rolls out voice comments as Nigerian users await access

TikTok is gradually introducing a new feature that allows users to leave voice comments on videos. The feature allows users to respond to posts by recording and sharing their voice directly in the comments section. A microphone icon will appear in the comment area, and by tapping and holding it, users can record a short message and post it as a comment.

However, this feature is not yet available to users in Nigeria, as noted by Technext. TikTok is rolling it out in phases, so access may differ from one user to another, even if they have the same version of the app.

For those who can use the feature, the microphone icon will show up next to the usual comment options. After recording your message, it will show up in the comments as an audio waveform that others can listen to.

The app also automatically transcribes the audio. Once you post your voice comment, a “Transcribing…” message will appear while the app processes it. The transcription will then be displayed beneath the audio comment. This is handy for users who might be browsing TikTok without sound, as they can read what’s been said without needing to play the recording.

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TikTok hasn’t shared details about which languages are supported for transcription or if users will eventually have options to edit or hide the transcribed text.

TikTok is rolling out the feature gradually

The social media platform has been testing a new feature called voice comments since earlier this year. Some users have noticed a microphone option that allows them to leave comments using their voice instead of just typing. However, this feature is being rolled out gradually, so not everyone will get access at the same time. Even users in the same country might see it at different times.

Currently, in Nigeria, users can still only use the regular comment options, like text and emojis.

Creators on TikTok have some control over this new voice comment feature. They can decide if users can leave voice comments on their videos, and they can also remove comments or report inappropriate ones.

This addition of voice comments further enhances TikTok’s focus on audio. The platform previously introduced the ability to send voice messages in direct messages, and now it’s expanding that audio interaction into public comments. This gives users a new way to interact with videos without having to rely solely on written comments.

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