Unable to listen to audio messages with transcription using VoiceOver

Hi all,

I’m using an iPhone 15 Pro, running iOS 17.1.2. In an iMessage conversation, when I double tap on an audio message that was also automatically transcribed, the message won’t play at all. However, if there is no audio transcription attached to the message, I can hear it just fine. My work around now is either to try finding the play button using screen recognition, to turn off VoiceOver and try taping in the screen where the audio should be located, or if nothing is working, to save the message in the Voice Memo app and get it from there. The Apple Watch is also letting me listen to the message if it is a short one, I got a three minutes message yesterday and it didn’t work.

I was also able to reproduce this issue with an iPhone XR, it was on iOS 17.1.1 when I tested it earlier this week. I was also experiencing this issue with my 15 Pro when on iOS 17.1.1, so I doubt installing 17.1.2 on the XR will change anything.

I also checked with a friend of mine having a 15 Pro, and he was unable to reproduce this issue. I know when iOS 17 was initially launched that some users experienced this bug, but I’m not finding any up-to-date information here. So, is there anyone can think of a VO setting that might be causing this or any hidden way to turn off the transcription of audio messages which is more an annoyance than helpful?

Thanks!