Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, has announced the rollout of a new message translation feature designed to make conversations across different languages easier for its more than 3 billion users worldwide.
The update, which began rolling out on Tuesday, enables users to translate messages directly within chats while keeping their conversations private.
According to WhatsApp, users can now simply long-press any message, tap Translate, and select their preferred language. The feature works seamlessly across one-on-one chats, group conversations, and even Channel updates.
For Android users, WhatsApp has introduced an additional option to enable automatic translation for entire chat threads, allowing for real-time conversations without the need for repeated manual translations.
Availability of Languages
The translation feature will be introduced gradually, starting with a limited number of languages:
-
Android users will initially have access to six languages — English, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic.
-
iPhone users will have access to more than 19 languages from the start.
Privacy Protection
WhatsApp emphasized that the translation process is built with privacy at its core. All translations take place directly on the user’s device, meaning WhatsApp itself cannot view or store translated messages. This ensures the platform’s long-standing end-to-end encryption remains uncompromised.
“Message translations were designed to protect the privacy of your chats. That’s why translations occur on your device where WhatsApp cannot see them,” the company explained in a statement.
Breaking Language Barriers
With WhatsApp being used in over 180 countries, the feature is expected to break down language barriers, foster deeper connections, and strengthen cross-cultural communication.
“We’re excited to bring message translations to WhatsApp, so you can more easily communicate across languages,” Meta stated, underscoring its goal to create a more inclusive global communication platform.
This latest update reflects WhatsApp’s broader push to go beyond basic messaging by offering tools that support global diversity and accessibility.
