WhatsApp has begun introducing a new feature that lets users translate messages into their chosen language, according to an announcement from the Meta-owned platform on Tuesday.
Now, when users encounter a message in a language they don’t understand, they can long-press on it and select “Translate.” Afterward, they can pick the language to translate to or from, and download it for later use. WhatsApp states that this translation option is available in private chats, group conversations, and Channel posts.
On Android, users can enable automatic translation for an entire chat, allowing all future messages in that conversation to be translated as they arrive.
WhatsApp emphasizes that translations are processed directly on the user’s device, ensuring that the app cannot access them and that messages remain encrypted.
“With over 3 billion people using WhatsApp across more than 180 countries, our goal is to help everyone stay connected, wherever they are,” the company shared in a blog post. “We know that language differences can sometimes make communication difficult or prevent you from expressing yourself fully. That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce message translations on WhatsApp, making it easier to connect across languages.”
This update follows Apple’s recent introduction of live translation in its Messages app.
The translation feature is being made available to both Android and iPhone users starting Tuesday.
Android users can translate messages in English, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic. iPhone users have access to translations in Arabic, Dutch, English, French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
There is currently no information on when WhatsApp will extend message translations to its web platform or desktop apps for Windows and Mac.
