Speech Recognition & Synthesis: Voice to Text and Back

Speech Recognition & Synthesis is a system utility app by Google LLC that provides speech-to-text and text-to-speech services for your Android device. It acts as a background engine that other applications use to convert your spoken words into written text and to read on-screen text aloud. Rather than being a standalone tool you open every day, it works quietly behind the scenes, powering voice features in apps you already use.

At its core, this app delivers two main functions. The speech recognition side lets apps like Google Maps, Recorder, Phone Call Screen, and various dictation or keyboard apps turn your voice into text. For example, you can use it to search for places by speaking, transcribe recordings, get real-time captions of phone calls, or dictate messages. It also supports accessibility apps like Voice Access, which let you operate your device through voice commands, and language learning apps that listen to your pronunciation.

The text-to-speech side enables apps to speak text aloud. Google Translate uses it to pronounce translated words, and TalkBack and other accessibility tools rely on it for spoken feedback across your device. This makes the app especially useful for people who prefer listening over reading, or who need hands-free interaction. The app is free, contains no ads, and requires only microphone access. It is designed for Android 8.0 and newer, and while many devices already include it, you can update to the latest version here to ensure you have the most recent improvements.

Key features

• Provides speech-to-text functionality for Google and third-party apps
• Offers text-to-speech to read on-screen text aloud
• Works with Google Maps for voice-based place searches
• Supports Recorder app for on-device transcription
• Enables real-time transcription in the Phone App Call Screen feature
• Powers accessibility apps like Voice Access for voice-controlled device operation
• Compatible with dictation, keyboard, search-by-voice, and language learning apps
• Integrates with Google Translate for spoken pronunciations and TalkBack for spoken feedback

How to install

1. Tap the download button on this page to get the APK file, which is about 15 MB in size.
2. When Android asks, allow your browser or file manager to install apps by enabling the 'Install unknown apps' setting for that app.
3. Open the downloaded APK file from your notifications or downloads folder.
4. Tap Install on the confirmation screen and wait for the installation to finish.
5. Open the app from your app drawer. Note that it requires Android 8.0 or higher to run.

Latest changes

The app has been renamed to “Speech Recognition and Synthesis from Google.” It now clearly highlights that it provides both text-to-speech and speech-to-text capabilities, allowing apps to convert your voice into text. More details are available in the “About this app” section.

This app is for Android users who rely on voice input or spoken output in their daily tasks, including those who use voice search, dictate messages, transcribe recordings, or need accessibility features like TalkBack. It is also suitable for people learning a new language who want to hear correct pronunciations or practice speaking.

After installation, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Default apps > Assist App to set Speech Recognition and Synthesis from Google as your preferred voice input engine. For text-to-speech, navigate to Settings > Languages & Input > Text-to-Speech output and select it as your default engine. This ensures that your other apps use the latest version of the service.

Speech Recognition & Synthesis is a reliable, free background service that enhances the voice capabilities of many Android apps. Whether you need accurate speech-to-text or natural-sounding text-to-speech, this tool from Google provides a solid foundation. If your device already has it, updating ensures you get the latest fixes and features.