Highlights
- WhatsApp now supports in-app message translation on iPhones, covering 21 global languages.
- Users can press and hold any message to translate, download language packs for offline use, and manage them via Settings.
- The feature works only for text in chats and not for media, documents, stickers, or locations.
WhatsApp has officially introduced its AI-powered in-app message translation feature to iPhone users. Interestingly, this update comes weeks after first launching it on Android. The update is arriving with WhatsApp version 25.28.74 and allows users to instantly translate messages in 21 languages, making cross-language communication on the app smoother and more accessible.
Meta confirmed that the feature will reach all iOS users in the coming weeks, alongside support for Live Photos. Here’s more on this new feature
How to Use WhatsApp’s Translation Feature on iPhone?
To check if the feature is available on your device, simply press and hold any message, tap on “More…”, and then select “Translate.” When using it for the first time, users must choose their source and target languages and download the necessary language packs.
Once downloaded, the translations can function offline without an active internet connection.
You can manage downloaded packs under Settings > Translate > Downloaded Languages, where users can add or remove language options anytime.
Supported Languages
The translation feature currently supports the following 21 languages, although the availability of specific languages may vary depending on your iOS version. The languages supported are –
- Arabic
- Chinese (Mandarin, Simplified)
- Chinese (Mandarin, Traditional)
- Dutch
- English (UK)
- English (US)
- French
- German
- Hindi
- Indonesian
- Italian
- Japanese
- Korean
- Polish
- Portuguese (Brazil)
- Russian
- Spanish
- Thai
- Turkish
- Ukrainian
- Vietnamese
What the WhatsApp AI Translation Tool Can and Can’t Do?
The new feature works for text messages in both individual and group chats, but it doesn’t support translation for media files including documents, stickers, GIFs, contacts, or shared locations.
Meta explains the feature’s functionality and limitations in its release, “You can translate messages you’ve sent or received in an individual or group chat into some languages. You can choose from the available languages to translate messages, but locations, documents, contacts, stickers, and GIFs can’t be translated. You’ll need a strong WiFi signal or cellular data, and ample storage space to translate.”
This update marks a major step forward for WhatsApp’s global communication capabilities, helping users bridge language barriers without leaving the app or depending on third-party tools. It’s also another sign of Meta’s growing AI integration across its messaging ecosystem, which includes previously rolled out features like AI-powered writing assistance tools and message summaries.
FAQs
Q1. What is WhatsApp’s new AI translation feature for iPhone?
Answer. It allows users to instantly translate messages in 21 global languages directly within the app, enhancing cross-language communication.
Q2. How can I use the translation feature on my iPhone?
Answer. Press and hold any message, tap “More…”, then select “Translate.” You’ll need to choose languages and download packs, which then work offline.
Q3. Are there any limitations to WhatsApp’s translation tool?
Answer. Yes, it only works for text messages in chats. It doesn’t support translation for media files, documents, stickers, GIFs, contacts, or shared locations.