With more than 3 billion users across 180+ countries, WhatsApp continues to look for ways to help people stay connected, regardless of where they are in the world. One of the biggest challenges in global communication is language barriers. To address this, WhatsApp has introduced a new in-app message translation feature, designed to make conversations across different languages more seamless.

How It Works

When users receive a message in a language they don’t understand, they can now simply press and hold the message and tap on “Translate.” They will then be able to select the language to translate to or from, and even download and save it for future use. This feature is available across individual chats, group conversations, and channel updates.

On Android, WhatsApp is also offering the ability to enable automatic translation for entire conversations. Once activated, all incoming messages in that chat will be translated automatically, removing the need for manual translation.

Privacy by Design

As with other WhatsApp features, privacy remains a top priority. Message translations are processed locally on the user’s device, meaning WhatsApp itself cannot see or access the translated content. This approach ensures that users benefit from convenience without sacrificing the security of their private conversations.

Availability

The feature is being rolled out gradually to both Android and iPhone users. Initially, translations will be available for a limited number of languages, with more to be added over time. Android users will be able to access translations in six languages: English, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic. iPhone users, meanwhile, will get access to translations in over 19 languages at launch.

Breaking Down Language Barriers

By integrating real-time translation, WhatsApp aims to reduce communication obstacles and help users connect more deeply with friends, family, and communities worldwide. Beyond convenience, this functionality highlights a growing trend in technology: embedding AI-driven tools directly into everyday communication platforms to foster inclusion and accessibility on a global scale.

Source: https://blog.whatsapp.com/introducing-message-translations