WhatsApp integrates a translator into chats: here's how it works

Talking to people who don't share our language is usually a headache, but WhatsApp wants to reduce that friction with a translation integrated directly into chatsWithout leaving the conversation, you can now convert messages into your language so you can understand them on the fly.

With a base of more than 3.000 billion users in 180 countries, the platform aims at communication with fewer barriers and without depending on external appsThe new feature arrives in stages and maintains the focus on privacy, processing translations on the mobile itself so we can do without the need for Google Translate on WhatsApp.

How it works and how to activate it

The process is simple: just long press on a message and choose "Translate"The first time you'll need to select the language and, if necessary, download the corresponding package. In the chat You will see a small notice indicating that the text has been translatedWhile the other person will not receive any notification.

1. Hold down the message you don't understand.
2. Tap the option "Translate" that appears in the menu.
3. Choose the language destination (and origin if applicable).
4. Download the Language Pack to expedite future translations.

The tool works on individual conversations, groups, and Channel updates, allowing it to be applied in almost any context within the app without breaking the flow of the chat.

Available languages ​​and deployment

The launch is underway gradually on Android and iPhone. On Android, the launch includes six languages: English, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic. On iPhone, support is broader from the start, with more than 19 languages ​​available.

In the case of iOS, WhatsApp takes advantage of the system's capabilities to offer a wider linguistic range from day one, with options that include French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, or Turkish, among others. The company advances that More languages ​​will be added as the weeks go by.

Machine translation on Android

In addition to the manual action, Android users have an extra option: activate automatic translation for a specific conversationBy doing so, every incoming message in another language will be displayed directly in your default language, without having to repeat the gesture for each text.

This modality is useful for frequent chats in another language, customer service or coordination with international teams. On iPhone, for now, the translation is done message by message, repeating the long press when you need it.

Remember that, for everything to go smoothly, it is advisable download and keep language packs up to date. And if you're not interested in continuing with auto-translation on Android, You can disable it for that chat whenever you want from the conversation settings..

Privacy and limits of the function

WhatsApp emphasizes that translations are processed on the device itself. This means that the texts do not leave the mobile phone nor are they sent to servers for conversion, which preserves confidentiality along with the end-to-end encryption already present in the app.

There are elements that the function does not translate: locations, documents, contacts, stickers and GIFs are out of reach. In addition, you will need to have storage space for downloaded language packs.

The rollout is underway and may take a few days to appear in your account. For now There is no confirmed date for the web or desktop version., so it's a good idea to keep the app updated to receive the latest updates as soon as possible.

With this improvement, WhatsApp focuses on a more comfortable and direct experience: translate without leaving the chat, with user control, clear differences between Android and iPhone, and a local privacy foundation that prevents the content of conversations from being exposed.