Ever been in a WhatsApp group where you nod along but secretly have no idea what's being said? Or maybe you've got friends or family hell bent on practicing the latest new language they are learning with you over text. Well, that's about to change.
WhatsApp is finally rolling out in-app message translations for iPhone and Android users. Starting today, you can long-press any message, tap "Translate", and instantly see it in your preferred language. It works across 1:1 chats, group chats, and even Channel updates -- no copy-pasting to another app required.
Android users get support for six languages at launch (English, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, Arabic), while iPhone users get translations in over 19 languages right out of the gate. Android users also get an extra perk: you can flip a switch to enable automatic translation for entire chat threads.
Now, this isn't some futuristic, real-time translation in your ear or AR overlay in front of your eyes. Other apps have toyed with versions of this for years. But with WhatsApp's 3+ billion users worldwide, this could be the biggest push yet toward making global conversations feel... well, less lost in translation.
And don't worry about your privacy -- translations happen on your device, so WhatsApp can't read your messages.
The feature is rolling out gradually starting today, with more languages coming soon. So the next time your group chat gets multilingual, you'll actually know what's going on.
Also Read: 'Glasses that disappear,' CPO Chris Cox on Meta's smart future