Wave supports 76 languages for transcription. You can set your language before, during, or after recording.
Setting a Default Language
On Mobile (iOS & Android)
Go to Settings → Profile → Language to set your default. New recordings will automatically use this language.
On Web (app.wave.co)
Language settings are available when customizing a summary. Open any session, click Customize, and select the Language tab to translate or retranscribe.
On Desktop (Mac & Windows)
During recording, click the language button (showing "EN" or your current language code) to change the transcription language. Your last-used language carries over to new recordings.
Changing Language During Recording
You can change the transcription language while recording without stopping — on both mobile and desktop.
On Mobile
Start recording
Tap the language button (showing "EN" or your current language code) at the bottom center
Search or scroll to find your language
Tap to select — recording continues uninterrupted
On Desktop
Start recording
Click the language button on the recording screen
Select your language from the dropdown
Note: On web, language selection is available when customizing a summary after recording.
Translating After Recording
Already finished recording? You have two options:
Retranscribe — Process the audio again in a different language. More accurate since it works directly from the audio.
Translate — Convert the existing transcript to another language. Faster, but works from text rather than audio.
To translate or retranscribe: on mobile, tap the globe icon on the Summary page. On web and desktop, open the session and click Customize, then select the Language tab.
You can also use Customize Summary to change just the summary language independently of the transcript.
Tips
For mixed-language content, pick the primary language
Check the language code on the button before speaking
Your last-used language carries over to new recordings
Wave detects your device language by default — change it anytime in Settings
Troubleshooting
Can't see the language button? Update to the latest version of Wave.
Wrong transcription? You can retranscribe after recording in a different language.
Need a specific language? Wave supports 76 languages — contact support if you need one that's not listed.