WhatsApp, the Meta-owned messaging platform, has begun rolling out a native message translation feature for its iOS and Android applications. The new functionality allows users to translate messages directly within their chats, breaking down language barriers while preserving the platform’s signature end-to-end encryption.
How The On-Device Translation Works
To use the new feature, users can long-press on a message in a foreign language and select the “Translate” option from the context menu. The translation is performed entirely on the user’s device, ensuring that the content remains private and is not visible to WhatsApp or Meta. This maintains the integrity of the platform’s end-to-end encryption.
The feature is available in one-on-one chats, group conversations, and Channel updates. For Android users, WhatsApp is also offering the ability to enable automatic translation for an entire chat thread, which will translate all future incoming messages in that specific conversation.
Language Support And Availability
The translation feature is currently rolling out to users globally. At launch, Android users can translate messages in six languages: English, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic. The list is more extensive for iPhone users, who can access translations in Arabic, Dutch, English, French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
Relevance For The MENA Region
The inclusion of Arabic on both platforms from day one makes this update particularly significant for the Middle East and North Africa. As the dominant communication tool in the region, WhatsApp’s new feature addresses a key need in a diverse, multilingual market characterized by extensive cross-border business and a large expatriate population. The ability to instantly and securely translate messages can streamline communication for businesses, improve customer service interactions, and simplify daily conversations for millions of users across MENA.
About WhatsApp
WhatsApp is a globally popular messaging and voice-over-IP service owned by Meta. It allows users to send text messages, voice messages, make voice and video calls, and share images, documents, user locations, and other content. The platform is known for its end-to-end encryption, ensuring private and secure communication for its billions of users worldwide.
Source: TechCrunch
