WhatsApp launches message translation feature for Android, iPhones: How it works

WhatsApp is rolling out a new message translation feature designed to help its more than 3 billion users communicate across language barriers. The company announced that users can now translate messages within one-on-one chats, group conversations, and Channel updates.

WhatsApp emphasised that the new feature has been developed with user privacy as a top priority. The company states that all translations occur on the user's device, ensuring that WhatsApp itself cannot see the content being translated.

“We hope this feature helps break down language barriers and allows users to connect more deeply with loved ones and communities around the globe,” WhatsApp said.

According to the company, users must keep their WhatsApp updated on their devices so they can get the feature as soon as it's available.

How to use message translation feature on WhatsApp

To use the message translation feature, users can simply long-press a message and tap “Translate.” They can then select their desired language and download it for future use. The company plans to gradually roll out the feature to both Android and iPhone users, starting with a limited number of languages.

Initially, the translation feature will be available to Android users in six languages: English, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic. For iPhone users, the feature will launch with support for over 19 languages.

In a move to enhance user experience, Android users will have the additional option to enable automatic translation for an entire chat thread, ensuring all future incoming messages in that conversation are translated without manual input.