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WhatsApp has started rolling out a new feature that lets people translate messages directly in the app, making conversations easier across different languages. The update is now available for both Android and iPhone users, with support for dozens of languages depending on the device.
Good to Know
The feature works with a long-press. When a user sees a message in a language they don’t understand, they simply hold down the message, tap “Translate,” and pick the language they want to use. That translation can then be downloaded for future conversations.
Translations are available across one-on-one chats, group chats, and even WhatsApp Channels. For Android, there’s an extra option to turn on automatic translation for a whole thread, so all future messages come through in the chosen language.
Meta stressed that translations are performed locally on the device, which means WhatsApp itself doesn’t have access to the content. End-to-end encryption remains intact, and the company said the feature doesn’t weaken its privacy guarantees.
“With more than 3 billion users in over 180 countries, we’re always working to keep our users closely connected, no matter where they are in the world,” WhatsApp wrote in a blog post. “But we understand that sometimes language can be a barrier to getting things done or expressing how you truly feel. That’s why we’re excited to bring message translations to WhatsApp, so you can more easily communicate across languages.”
Android users can currently translate in English, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic. iPhone users get an expanded list, including languages such as French, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, and more than a dozen others.
The rollout began Tuesday, but WhatsApp hasn’t yet confirmed when the feature will be extended to its desktop apps for Windows, Mac, or the web version.