Meta-owned WhatsApp has begun rolling out its much-awaited chat and channel translation feature to selected Android users, marking a significant step in breaking down language barriers within the app. The tool is currently being tested on beta version 2.25.12.25, according to WABetaInfo, with a wider release expected soon.
This new update allows users to translate messages in languages including Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, Hindi, and Russian—all directly within the app. One of the standout aspects of the feature is its on-device functionality, meaning users can access translations even when offline.
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To activate the feature, users need to download language packs individually or as part of a multi-language detection bundle. Once installed, the translation option appears in the chat info section and can be enabled for both personal and group chats. Users can also translate individual messages by long-pressing and tapping the “Translate” option.
While the on-device model may not match the depth of cloud-based services, WhatsApp encourages beta testers to provide feedback to help improve accuracy. Crucially, Meta assures that no message content is sent to its servers, keeping privacy intact.
