WhatsApp Rolls Out Built-in Message Translation to Break Language Barriers
- Meta-owned messaging platform, WhatsApp, has introduced a new message translation feature
- The company said the new feature will ease communication across languages for its users globally
- Meta said the new feature is available for iPhone and Android users in a limited number of languages initially.
Pascal Oparada, a reporter for Legit.ng, has over ten years of experience covering technology, energy, stocks, investment, and the economy.
The premium messaging platform, WhatsApp, has added a message translation feature.
The Meta-owned messaging platform disclosed that the new feature aims to ease communication across different languages for its over three billion global users.
Source: UGC
How to activate the message translation
WhatsApp began the global rollout of the new feature this week, allowing users to translate messages directly within chats while keeping conversations private and secure.
According to reports, the messaging company explained that users can long-press any message, tap translate and choose the preferred language.
The new feature works across one-on-one chats, group chats, and Channel updates.
Android users have the option to activate automatic translation for an entire chat thread, enabling real-time communication.
More languages added
Meta disclosed in a blog post that the new feature will gradually be rolled out for iPhone and Android users, saying that it starts with a limited number of languages
The tech giant said Android users will initially have six languages, including English, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic, while iPhone users have access to more than 19 languages from the start.
Checks showed that while the messaging app is used by over three billion people globally, Nigeria has only 51 million users.
End-to-end translation ensures privacy
The company disclosed that translations are designed with privacy as a top priority.
According to reports, Meta said all translations occur directly on the user’s device, ensuring that third-party users, including WhatsApp, cannot see the translated messages.
The move aligns with the messaging app’s ongoing promise on user data protection and maintaining end-to-end encryption.
Breaking barriers in global communication
“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.
Experts have said that with over 180 countries using the messaging platform for communication, the new feature is expected to break down language barriers and foster deeper interconnectivity.
“We’re excited to bring message translations to WhatsApp, so you can more easily communicate across languages,” the company said in a statement.
The move shows the platform’s push to grow beyond messaging into an inclusive communication behemoth, especially in regions with diverse languages.
Does WhatsApp face competition?
A prior report by Legit.ng disclosed that WhatsApp introduced three new features to help creators, organisations, and businesses grow their presence and monetise content on the platform.
However, WhatsApp is facing increasing competition from other tech titans.
This year, Twitter founder Jack Dorsey introduced Bitchat, a new messaging platform that uses Bluetooth.
Dorsey said Bitchat is built for regions with low internet connectivity and is useful during outages and government clampdowns.
Source: Getty Images
WhatsApp to stop working on these iPhones, Android devices
Legit.ng earlier reported that owners of some older Android and iPhone models may soon be unable to use WhatsApp from Monday, May 5 2025.
Meta, the parent company, is making changes to WhatsApp’s compatibility with operating systems means some older smartphones will not meet the necessary operating system requirements.
WhatsApp says the changes are part of regular updates to ensure the app stays secure and functional while working with newer phones.
Source: Legit.ng
