The Google Recorder app may have a very useful “Clear Voice” feature to remove background noise

Google is apparently working on a new “Clear Voice” feature for the Google Recorder app. This highly requested and cool feature reduces background noise and gives priority to human speech in recordings. However, it appears that it is limited to mono recording and may not work with external microphones.

Google’s Recorder app is one of the best voice recording apps for smartphones. It has sophisticated AI-powered transcriptions and speaker tagging features to help you identify different speakers. However, the app lacks a feature that many other competitors have: noise cancellation. And it seems that this could change very soon.

The folks at Android Authority were able to find evidence of a new “Clear Voice” feature in the works in the latest version of Google Recorder for Android (version 4.2.20241001.701169069). Evidence of this was found in the code.

The feature is not yet available and cannot currently be activated. However, the code references suggest that the feature aims to minimize background noise and prioritize human speech.

References in code found by Android Authority for this feature. | Screenshot credit – PhoneArena

However, such a cool feature would be too good to be true if it weren’t for some limitations. For one thing, it seems to require mono audio and no longer works in stereo or when using an external microphone. We currently have no information on when this feature will be made available to the public. One thing is certain, however: if this feature is introduced, it will benefit the otherwise good reputation of the recorder app and add to a very extensive range of functions.

I really like that Google is working on such an option. It’s ideal if you’re recording a lecture or something similar and other things are happening in the background. The feature should eliminate the noise that can distract you from what the person is saying and make it easier for you to hear the most important parts clearly.