As of late 2025, WhatsApp natively supports on-the-fly message translation on iOS and Android, allowing users to translate individual messages or set up automatic, real-time chat translation. This on-device feature ensures messages remain encrypted and offers support for over 19 languages.
Key Features of Native WhatsApp Translation:
Automatic Chat Translation: Android users can enable automatic translation for specific chats, translating incoming messages instantly.
Manual Message Translation: Users can long-press any message and select “Translate”.
Privacy-Focused: Translations occur on-device, meaning WhatsApp cannot see the content.
Compatibility: Works in one-on-one chats, groups, and Channel updates. [1, 2, 3]
How to Use Native Translation:
Long-press the message you want to translate.
Tap Translate (you may need to tap the three-dot menu on some devices).
Choose the language to translate from or to, and download language packs if prompted. [1, 2, 3]
Alternative Methods:
Gboard/Keyboard Tools: Android users can use the Google Keyboard (“Gboard”) translate feature built directly into the keyboard input.
Third-Party Extensions: For WhatsApp Web, browser extensions like “AI Polyglot” exist for in-line translation. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Note: As this feature is rolling out, you may need to update your app.
Android users will find it available in six languages: English, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic.
For our iPhone users, the feature launched in 19+ languages:
- Arabic
- Dutch
- English (United Kingdom)
- English (United States)
- French (France)
- German (Germany)
- Hindi
- Indonesian
- Italian (Italy)
- Japanese
- Korean
- Mandarin Chinese (China mainland)
- Mandarin Chinese (Taiwan)
- Polish
- Portuguese (Brazil)
- Russian
- Spanish (Spain)
- Thai
- Turkish
- Ukrainian
- Vietnamese
