WhatsApp has introduced a new in-app message translation feature, enabling users to translate messages directly within chats without leaving the application. The feature is gradually being rolled out to Android and iPhone (iOS) users, aiming to simplify cross-language conversations. With this update, users can read messages in their preferred language across one-on-one chats, group discussions, and channel updates.
To use the translation feature, users need only long-press a message and select the “Translate” option. Initially, Android users will have access to translations in six languages: English, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic. iPhone users, from the outset, can translate messages in over 19 languages, including Arabic, Dutch, English, French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
Additionally, Android users have the option to enable automatic translation for entire chat threads, translating all incoming messages without needing to select each one individually.
Translation settings can be managed via WhatsApp’s “Settings” menu, where users can activate or deactivate the feature and choose their preferred language. The social media company plans to expand the number of supported languages and improve translation accuracy in future updates.
Meta-owned WhatsApp also emphasizes that privacy remains central to this functionality. All translations are processed directly on users’ devices, preserving message confidentiality and preventing data sharing with Meta or any third parties. This approach aligns with WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption policy, ensuring secure and private communications while still enabling real-time translation.
“With over 3 billion people using WhatsApp across 180 countries, we are constantly working to help users stay closely connected no matter where they are. Message translation is designed with your chat privacy in mind. That’s why translation happens on your device, and WhatsApp cannot see your messages,” the company stated.
This update arrives as Meta continues enhancing WhatsApp with new AI-driven and productivity-focused features. For instance, in August 2025, the company launched a “Schedule a Call” function for group calls, offering new interactive tools to help users plan calls in advance, track participants, and engage more effectively in ongoing discussions. That same month, the platform introduced a Meta AI-powered “Writing Assistant” tool to help users compose messages more efficiently.
