WhatsApp Launches Real-Time Translation for Chats
WhatsApp, owned by Meta, has unveiled a new feature that makes multilingual communication easier than ever. The messaging app, available in more than 180 countries on iOS and Android, now allows users to translate messages instantly within the app.
- Language Support: iOS vs. Android
- The rollout differs slightly by device:
- Android: Users can translate messages between English, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic.
iOS: Thanks to Apple’s built-in translation app, iPhone users have access to more than 19 languages, including Arabic, Dutch, English, French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Spanish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
How to Translate Messages on WhatsApp
The feature is simple to use:
- Long-press the message you want to translate.
- Tap the three dots in the top-right corner.
- Select Translate and choose your desired language.
- The translation appears instantly in 1:1 chats, group chats, or even Channel updates.
Extra Features and Privacy
WhatsApp ensures privacy by processing translations directly on your smartphone. Users must download the relevant language pack to use the feature. On Android, there’s an option to enable automatic translation for an entire chat thread, translating all incoming messages automatically.
Availability and Future Plans
Currently, the feature is only available on iOS and Android. WhatsApp has not yet announced when translations will be supported on WhatsApp Web or the Windows app.
Not all users will see the translation feature immediately. To access it as soon as it becomes available, users are advised to keep their apps updated.
