WhatsApp is officially rolling out its anticipated message translation feature to iOS users, following its earlier announcement for both iOS and Android. This exciting update, arriving with the latest WhatsApp for iOS build, allows users to effortlessly translate messages into 21 different languages right within their chats. While currently accessible to a limited number of users who have updated their app, a broader rollout is expected soon. The feature is designed for secure and rapid translations, utilizing Apple’s robust translation APIs.
Bridging Language Gaps: WhatsApp Brings 21-Language Support to iOS
The message translation capability is integrated into the newest WhatsApp for iOS build (version 25.28.74) available through the App Store. Once updated, users should find the feature gradually activating on their devices. While some early adopters are already experiencing it, wider availability is anticipated in the coming days.
This smart translation system can automatically detect the language of incoming messages, removing the need for manual input. However, if the automatic detection isn’t quite right, users have the flexibility to select the correct source language themselves.
For offline translation capabilities, users will need to download individual language packs. This ensures that the feature remains functional even when an internet connection isn’t available.
The impressive list of languages supported in this latest iOS rollout includes: Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin, Simplified), Chinese (Mandarin, Traditional), Dutch, English (UK), English (US), French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Spanish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
First announced in a previous blog post, WhatsApp’s in-app message translation is designed to work seamlessly across various communication types, including private chats, group conversations, and channel updates. For Android users, the feature currently supports translation for English, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic. To translate a message, simply long-press on the text and select the ‘Translate’ option.
Furthermore, Android users have the option to enable automatic translations for entire chat threads, removing the need to translate each message individually. WhatsApp emphasizes that user privacy is a top priority for this feature. The Meta-owned platform assures users that all translations are processed directly on the device, meaning neither WhatsApp nor any third party has access to the content of your conversations.