WhatsApp is one of the world's most important communication platforms. More than three billion people in over 180 countries use the app daily to stay in touch with each other. The introduction of message translation represents another step toward overcoming language barriers and making international communication easier.
The new feature allows you to translate messages directly within WhatsApp – without external apps or complicated detours. This significantly simplifies communication between people who speak different languages. Message translation will be available in selected languages at launch, with more to follow.
Message translation on WhatsApp: How it works
Messages can be translated in just a few taps. If you long-press a message, the "Translate" option appears. You can then select the language you want to translate the message from or into. Loaded languages are always available for future translations. This feature works in both 1:1 chats and group chats and channel updates. On Android, there's also the option to activate automatic translation for an entire chat thread. This means that all incoming messages in a conversation are translated immediately.
Available languages on Android
For Android users, translation will initially start in six languages:
- English
- Spanish
- Hindi
- Portuguese
- Russian
- Arabic
Available languages on iPhone
On iPhones, the feature will be available in more than 19 languages from the start:
- Arabic
- Dutch
- English (United Kingdom)
- English (United States)
- French (France)
- German (Germany)
- Hindi
- Indonesian
- Italian (Italy)
- Japanese
- Korean
- Mandarin Chinese (Mainland China)
- Mandarin Chinese (Taiwan)
- Polish
- Portuguese (Brazil)
- Russian
- Spanish (Spain)
- Thai
- Turkish
- Ukrainian
- Vietnamese
This means that WhatsApp will cover a wide range of languages at launch, which will be expanded in the future.
privacy and security
The translation feature was designed to protect your privacy. All translations take place directly on the device. WhatsApp itself has no access to the translated content, as it isn't stored on servers or viewed externally.
Why the function is important
The introduction of message translation has practical advantages. It facilitates exchanges across language barriers and simplifies communication in international groups, communities, and channels. At the same time, it eliminates the need for external translation services and ensures that conversations can continue seamlessly.
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WhatsApp focuses on global comprehensibility
With message translation, WhatsApp is further expanding its position as a leading messaging platform. The new feature makes it easy to overcome language barriers and strengthens the global connection of billions of people. Whether in everyday life, at work, or in international communities – communication becomes easier, faster, and more accessible thanks to direct translation within the app. (Image: Shutterstock / Mitriakova Valeriia)
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