Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, has announced the global rollout of a message translation feature designed to make communication easier for its more than 3 billion users worldwide.
The update, which began rolling out on Tuesday, allows WhatsApp users to translate messages directly within chats, whether in one-on-one conversations, group chats, or Channel updates, while ensuring end-to-end privacy.
How WhatsApp’s Message Translation Works
The new feature makes it simple for users to break language barriers:
- Long-press any message → tap Translate → select your preferred language.
- On Android, users can enable automatic translation for an entire chat thread, allowing seamless real-time communication.
- The translation tool works across private chats, groups, and Channels.
With over 180 countries relying on WhatsApp daily, this move is expected to foster deeper connections across cultures and languages.
Rollout Details: Android vs iPhone
The feature will be gradually available to both Android and iPhone users:
- Android users will start with six languages: English, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic.
- iPhone users will have access to over 19 languages right from the start.
Privacy and Security
WhatsApp emphasised that all translations occur directly on the user’s device. This means:
- WhatsApp itself cannot see the messages being translated.
- Privacy remains aligned with the app’s end-to-end encryption commitment.
“Message translations were designed to protect the privacy of your chats. That’s why translations occur on your device where WhatsApp cannot see them,” the company stated.
Meta’s Push for Inclusive Communication
The translation rollout reflects WhatsApp’s push to become a more inclusive communication platform, particularly in regions with diverse languages.
“We’re excited to bring message translations to WhatsApp, so you can more easily communicate across languages,” Meta said in its announcement.
What You Should Know
This update comes after WhatsApp introduced three major features in June 2025 to help creators, organisations, and businesses:
- Channel Subscriptions for exclusive updates.
- Promoted Channels for improved discoverability.
- Ads in Status to boost business visibility.
According to Meta, more than 1.5 billion people use the Updates tab daily, making WhatsApp a powerful hub for both personal and business communication.
The message translation feature is another step in WhatsApp’s evolution from a simple messaging app into a multi-functional, global communication platform.
Final Thoughts
By enabling on-device message translations, WhatsApp is breaking down language barriers while safeguarding user privacy. Whether for friends, businesses, or communities, this feature is set to make the world’s most popular messaging app even more inclusive and versatile.
