Meta is rolling out real-time language translations on WhatsApp to help billions of users communicate more easily.
The new feature will be available in 19 languages on iPhones and six on Android devices, with more to follow.
Users can long-press a message, tap “Translate”, and choose their preferred language, similar to Apple’s iMessage translations.
Android users can also enable automatic translation for entire conversations, making it easier to chat across language barriers.
Meta said it hopes the update will “break down language barriers and allow users to connect more deeply”.
On Android, translations will start with English, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic.
iPhone users will have access to these six plus Dutch, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Polish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
Translations will happen directly on devices to protect privacy, according to Meta. The company stressed that it does not read or listen to personal messages, which remain end-to-end encrypted.
With more than three billion users across over 180 countries, WhatsApp is one of the most widely used messaging apps globally.
By offering translations in real time, Meta is tackling language barriers that often limit international conversations.
The move could have a significant impact on personal chats, global business communication, and cross-border communities.
The rollout highlights Meta’s growing focus on making its platforms more inclusive and practical for multilingual users worldwide.
This timely update marks another step in WhatsApp’s evolution, bringing new tools to everyday conversations.
