WhatsApp Introduces In-App Translation: Chat in Any Language Instantly on iOS and Android
WhatsApp, the world’s most widely used messaging application, has introduced a new in-app translation feature designed to make multilingual conversations easier. With this update, users can instantly translate any incoming message into their preferred language without relying on external apps such as Google Translate.
The rollout has begun for both iOS and Android platforms. On Android devices, the feature currently supports six languages: English, Hindi, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic. Meanwhile, iPhone users gain access to a broader set of options, as WhatsApp integrates Apple’s Translate app. This allows translations in more than 19 languages, including Arabic, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Turkish, and Vietnamese.
The process of using the feature is simple. Users only need to press and hold a message, tap the three-dot menu on the top right, and select “Translate.” They can then choose their desired language, and the translation appears instantly. For smoother performance, language packs must be downloaded, ensuring translations are processed directly on the device rather than through external servers.
Android users benefit from an additional option: automatic translation for entire chat threads. Once enabled, every message in that conversation is instantly converted into the chosen language. This is particularly useful in group chats where participants communicate in multiple languages.
Currently, the translation tool is available only on mobile applications for iOS and Android. WhatsApp has not provided details about when the feature will be extended to desktop or web versions.
Industry experts see this development as a major step toward bridging language barriers on a global scale. With over two billion users worldwide, WhatsApp plays a central role in digital communication, and this feature adds greater inclusivity for users in multilingual regions.
The tool is expected to be widely adopted by both personal users and businesses that rely on WhatsApp for customer interaction. By enabling seamless communication across languages, the platform is making conversations faster, easier, and more accessible.
This move further strengthens WhatsApp’s position as the leading global messaging service, ensuring that users can connect without being held back by language differences.
