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WhatsApp Launches On-Device Message Translation for Chats

Translations run locally on users’ phones to preserve chat privacy.

Overview

  • The feature is rolling out on Android and iOS in waves and works in one-on-one chats, group conversations and channels.
  • Users can long-press a message to select Translate and download language packs for future use.
  • Android offers an option to auto-translate entire chat threads, a capability not currently on iPhone.
  • At launch Android supports six languages—English, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian and Arabic—whereas iPhone offers about 19–21, including German.
  • WhatsApp plans to expand language support over time and emphasizes that translations are processed on-device rather than in the cloud.