If you’re using an Android smartphone, you’ve probably noticed certain files and data getting downloaded or updated by itself. In most cases, the process is stuck and it halts you from smoothly using your phone apps. Also, they pop up in your notifications so many times that’s enough to make you feel annoyed.
Well, these files are called ‘Offline Speech Recognition Data’. Most people don’t have any clue of what they are, or what data their phone is downloading. And those who know about it have tried avoiding and managing these downloads. Thus, in this article, you will learn about what this data is and how you can deal with it.
What Is It Exactly?
Offline Speech Recognition Data is a voice recognition system that was developed by Google. This system is embedded on every smartphone with Android OS. It can convert your voice into texts and delivers data from it when your phone is offline. Thus, this feature eliminates the constant need for an internet connection for voice recognition systems.
What Does It Do?
The main function of offline speech recognition data is to capture and recognize your voice. Then, it processes the speech and can give back results such as texts or responses on your phone. Besides, this system keeps downloading certain data that are necessary for this feature to work even better while using it.
How To Use It On Your Phone
Offline speech recognition is especially used while texting messages or typing anything on the phone. You need to download the necessary data for this system and duly update it as well. Only then you can use it properly. So, using this feature is pretty easy on your phone:
- First, click on the icon that looks like a speaker/mic. This will activate the speech recognition system.
- Bring the phone closer as you speak, so that it can better capture your voice.
- Then, check on the screen if every word you just spoke has been interpreted correctly or not.
Quick Comparison: Online V/S Offline Speech Recognition
Speech Recognition app can be used in both ways, i.e. with and without being connected to the internet. And yes, there are certain differences regarding the system’s effect on your device in both situations.
As offline speech recognition does not need internet connectivity, you can use it anytime on your phone. On the other hand, online speech recognition requires a web connection. So, it only works under a connectivity basis.
Online speech recognition provides better results in comparison to the offline system. Your speech’s conversion into text is displayed correctly and even more accurate while using online speech recognition. In the case of offline speech recognition, the system may not capture your voice properly and deliver correct results. But this issue occurs in certain instances only.
However, online speech recognition is a bit slower while displaying the results. It takes time to process your voice and present your results. So, offline speech recognition works faster based on timing.
As online voice recognition works on the internet connection, the system requires to send and collect data for its operation. Hence, this process can consume more storage space on your phone and require more battery power altogether. Besides, this is not the case for the offline speech recognition system.
Do You Need This Data On Your Phone?
Offline Speech Recognition Data is essential for keeping the voice recognition feature up-to-date on your device. The data update and download take place automatically while your phone is connected to the internet. Also, the data is necessary for online usage, so that it improves its performance and ability every time we use it. Thus, you’ll need this data if you frequently use the feature on your phone.
These data files can deal with bugs and errors that may frequently appear while using the voice recognition system. But, they also consume your phone’s storage capacity for sure. As the downloads take place automatically, and it appears without any option to cancel the process, one can easily feel confused about how to handle this situation.
How To Download Offline Speech Recognition Data
As a matter of fact, your phone has already downloaded the offline speech recognition data. Just like other Google apps and features, this data is readily available from the first time you use your phone. Therefore, the only process you can carry out is to complete the installation or have an update on this feature.
Follow the steps below to check the status of offline speech recognition data on your device:
- Open the Google Apps folder. Click on the Google App icon.
- On the bottom right corner, tap on the ‘More’ option or the ‘Hamburger’ (three horizontal lines) option.
- Click on ‘Settings’. And go to the ‘Voice’ option.
- Tap on ‘Offline speech recognition’.
- Under the ‘Installed’ section, you will see every language that is already installed on your device. Most certainly, you will find ‘English (US)’ language readily available.
- If you want to install other languages, go to the ‘All’ section and choose the specific language you want to apply. A pop-up option will appear, and you need to choose ‘Download’.
- To update the already installed languages, stay in the ‘Installed’ section. Check whether there is information regarding the available update under the specific language. If there is, then tap on the language and click download. This will complete the update installation.
How Do You Stop Downloading Offline Speech Recognition Data?
The offline speech recognition system’s data updates always appear in your device’s notification area, as these updates take place automatically. Also, there is no option available to cancel or manage the download process. And sometimes, due to unknown errors, the installation process gets stuck, which in turn disrupts your phone’s frequent activities.
Apparently, there is a solution to get rid of this issue. The following steps explain how to stop these data from downloading and manage the updates as well:
- The first steps are the same. Open the Google app, click on the “More” option, go to ‘Settings’, and then choose ‘Voice’. Now tap on ‘Offline speech recognition’.
- Under the ‘Installed’ section, tap on the language that is already present there, i.e. ‘English (US)’.
- A pop-up window will appear. Now, choose the ‘Uninstall’ option.
Now, this will stop the Offline Speech Recognition Data from downloading and it won’t appear on your device’s notification. Finally! A relief, isn’t it?
How To Stop Getting Automatic Updates From This Data
When you connect your phone to the Wi-Fi, the speech recognition data can also download automatically. Fortunately, there is also a way to avoid these automatic updates. The simple steps are listed below:
- Open the Google app’s ‘Settings’ and go to ‘Voice’. Tap on ‘Offline speech recognition’.
- Go to the ‘Auto-Update’ section.
- Choose ‘Do not auto-update languages’ option instead of ‘Auto-update languages over Wi-Fi only’.
In this way, there will be no automatic updates of speech recognition data on your device.
Conclusion
Speech recognition systems have somewhat become a necessary feature for smartphones these days. The system’s ability to speech-to-text conversion has made it a bit easier to carry out text-based activities. Some people can find this feature useful, whereas others easily give up on it because of its constantly reappearing updates and downloads.
Hence, I have briefly explained the ways to manage the speech recognition data on your device, whether you need to download it or get rid of it. So I hope you find this article helpful and supportive.
