Meta-owned WhatsApp is making it easier to chat across languages. The most popular instant messaging platform is rolling out a new built-in translation feature for iOS and Android, allowing people to instantly translate texts in one-on-one chats, groups, and even Channel updates.
“We’re always working to keep our users closely connected, no matter where they are in the world. But we understand that sometimes language can be a barrier to getting things done or expressing how you truly feel.
That’s why we’re excited to bring message translations to WhatsApp, so you can more easily communicate across languages,” WhatsApp announced in a blog post on Tuesday.
Using the translation tool is simple: the feature works with a quick long-press on a message followed by a tap on Translate. Users can then select the language they want and even download it so translations are available offline for future use.
Android vs iOS: What’s Different?
Depending on the platform, the rollout comes with different perks. For instance,
- Android users: Get to start with six languages — English, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic, along with the option to turn on automatic translations for entire chat threads. This means all future incoming messages can be translated automatically without needing to tap each one.
- iPhone users: Can access translations in over 19 languages at launch, including French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Mandarin Chinese, among others. However, iOS currently supports only manual, one-message-at-a-time translations.
Privacy First
Privacy remains a key part of the update. WhatsApp stressed that all translations happen directly on the user’s device, which means the company itself cannot view or store the translated content. The entire process is private, secure, and consistent with its end-to-end encryption model and user security.
Building On Recent Upgrades
The new translation tool is just the latest in a series of upgrades WhatsApp has introduced this year, which includes advanced chat privacy options and new tools to help users spot potential scams in group chats. Together, these updates show WhatsApp’s push to improve both security and usability for its global audience.
Why It Matters
With more than three billion people using WhatsApp across 180+ countries, the new translation feature aims to break down language barriers and allows users to connect more deeply, while making conversations more inclusive — whether for families, friends, or international teams.
