The new feature lets iPhone users translate messages directly within chats, groups, or channels.
WhatsApp translations are processed entirely on-device, ensuring privacy and end-to-end encryption.
The update supports 21 languages, with gradual rollout expected for all iOS users in the coming weeks.
WhatsApp has begun rolling out its in-app message translation tool to iOS users. The new functionality, available with the newest 25.28.74 update on the App Store, allows iPhone users to translate texts straight within conversations, groups, or channels.
SurveyIf you have an iPhone, you can choose the message and immediately translate it without switching apps or copying it to an external translator. The translated message shows directly below the original, preserving conversation flow and context. This will be useful for users who frequently participate in bilingual discussions or follow worldwide WhatsApp channels.
To translate WhatsApp messages on an iPhone, long-press the message, hit “Translate,” select your language, and then tap “Download” and “Translate” again to display the message in the appropriate language.
The feature now supports 21 languages, including Hindi, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), French, Russian, and others. Users can explicitly select the source and target languages or rely on automatic detection. The setup also allows users to download only the languages they require, saving storage space while maintaining a fast and seamless experience.
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The Meta-owned instant messaging platform also claims that the translation will be end-to-end encrypted. This means that the platform protects user privacy and processes data on the device itself. Instead of using Meta’s internal systems, WhatsApp for iOS uses Apple’s native translation API, which was introduced in iOS 17.4. This means that translations are performed entirely on the device itself, with no data transmitted to Meta, Apple, or any third-party server. Users can even perform translations offline after downloading the necessary language packs, demonstrating that the system works without an Internet connection.
The rollout is being introduced gradually, meaning some users may not see the option immediately. However, it is expected to reach all iOS devices in the coming weeks.
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Ashish Singh
Ashish Singh is the Chief Copy Editor at Digit. He's been wrangling tech jargon since 2020 (Times Internet, Jagran English '22). When not policing commas, he's likely fueling his gadget habit with coffee, strategising his next virtual race, or plotting a road trip to test the latest in-car tech. He speaks fluent Geek. View Full Profile
