WhatsApp has initiated the rollout of a message-translation feature for its 3 billion users across more than 180 countries. The function, which began deploying on September 23, 2025, is designed to facilitate communication between users who speak different languages.
To utilize the in-app tool, a user must long-press a message and then tap the “Translate” option. After this step, the user selects the source and target languages for the translation. The feature also provides an option to download a translation for future reference. This functionality is applicable to one-to-one chats, group conversations, and updates within Channels.
The translation process occurs locally on the user’s device, a design choice intended to preserve privacy by preventing WhatsApp from accessing the translated content. A specific function available for Android users enables automatic translation for an entire chat. Once activated, all subsequent messages within that specific conversation are translated automatically.
The feature is being introduced gradually for both Android and iPhone users. The initial rollout for Android supports six languages: English, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic. For iPhone users, the feature launched with support for more than 19 languages.
The company has announced plans to expand the number of available languages over time and stated the tool is intended to help break down language barriers, allowing for deeper connections among its global user base.
