WhatsApp adds built-in message translation

WhatsApp has started rolling out a built-in translation tool for messages across multiple languages.

The feature is free and available to both iPhone and Android users. To translate a message, simply long-press it, tap “Translate,” and select a language. It works in one-on-one chats, groups, and even channels.

Android users get an extra perk — the option to enable automatic translation for entire chats, so every incoming message appears instantly in the chosen language.

At launch, Android supports translations between English, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic. iPhone users get access to more than 19 languages, with Apple promising to expand the list over time.

The tool isn’t a “live” real-time translator — messages are only converted on demand. A similar idea appeared almost a decade ago when Google introduced its “Tap to Translate” feature in Android, including support through WhatsApp.