WhatsApp has begun testing a new message translation feature in its latest beta version for Android smartphones. A feature tracker discovered a new settings option allowing seamless, automatic on-device translation of messages.
WhatsApp provides end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for communications; therefore, the new ‘translate messages’ feature processes messages on the user’s device rather than using the company’s servers. WhatsApp will prompt users to select and download language packs before using the translation feature on their smartphone.
After updating to WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.12.25, some beta testers can now use the new ‘Translate Messages’ feature. A new toggle appears under the Chat lock setting on a per-chat basis. According to feature tracker WABetaInfo, the platform has been developing the function since July 2024. The feature works in chats and WhatsApp channels.
When the feature becomes available, users must enable the Translate messages toggle, which may be found in the chat settings for a specific conversation. After this is enabled, users will be prompted to select a language from a list that currently includes Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Hindi, and Russian.
After you select a language, WhatsApp will download a language pack that is required to use the message translation feature. The new translation capability is reported to work offline, meaning messages are handled on the user’s device rather than Meta’s servers.
The feature tracker also discovered that users can activate automatic message translation in all WhatsApp chats or manually translate specific messages by pressing the Translate button. The feature is deactivated by default, however, users can disable it and adjust language packs using the app’s settings.
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This is not the first time WhatsApp has introduced an on-device language option in recent months. The messaging app previously added support for voice note transcription, which automatically transcribes incoming audio messages. This feature also requires a language pack to be downloaded to a user’s smartphone, and all transcriptions are done on-device, according to the company.
