Even though iMessage has a devoted following among iPhone users, WhatsApp has gained a large following in many countries. WhatsApp’s popularity comes from the fact that it can be used on many different platforms and has all the basic features you’d expect from an instant messaging client. Unfortunately, WhatsApp messages cannot be translated using the device’s built-in translation app.
This feature is absent from both the iOS and Android versions of the app. With so many people using WhatsApp all over the world, a translation feature that can be activated instantly would be incredibly helpful.
But just because there isn’t a built-in choice doesn’t mean there aren’t alternatives. This article will show you several different ways to translate WhatsApp messages on your Android or iPhone device.
The Google Translate App and How to use it to translate WhatsApp messages
WhatsApp messages can be translated in the most fundamental way using a translation app like Google Translate. It’s not ideal, though, if you need to translate a large volume of messages or conversations. The reason for this is that copying and pasting each message into the app individually is inconvenient. Nonetheless, it’s useful for translating short messages on occasion.
- Download the Google Translate app from the Play Store or App Store. You can also use an alternate translation app of your choice.
- Open the personal or group chat containing the message to translate. Copy the message to be translated.
- Open the Google Translate app on your phone. Select which language the copied text is in and the language you want to translate it to.
- Now, paste the copied text into the text field. You will automatically see the translated text in the language you selected.
- Repeat the process for all the messages you want to translate.
Use GBOARD to translate WhatsApp messages on your iPhone or Android device
When you need a quick WhatsApp translation on Android and iPhone, Gboard is your best bet. Most Android phones already have Google’s keyboard app, Gboard. You can use the app to quickly translate texts on your iPhone, and it’s available on both Android and iOS. Read on to learn how to use Gboard as a WhatsApp translator.
- Download Gboard on your Android or iPhone. That is if it’s not already installed on your smartphone.
- Once Gboard is set as your input method, navigate to the WhatsApp chat containing the messages to translate. Then, copy the message.
- Tap on the text field to open Gboard. Now, tap on the small rightward arrow on the side to bring up more options.
- Select the built-in translate option. You will now see a text box. Select the language you want the text to be translated to.
- Press and hold on to the text box and you will get an option to paste your copied text. Select the Paste option and you will instantly see the translated message show up in the text box.
The above steps must be done for each and every message that needs to be translated. When using this method, you can translate WhatsApp messages without having to switch between apps, saving you time.
Translate WhatsApp messages automatically
Incredibly, translating WhatsApp messages is a piece of cake on the Google Pixel 6 and above. In fact, without ever leaving WhatsApp, a message can be translated in its entirety in a matter of seconds. Using Google’s Live Translate feature, you can translate your WhatsApp messages into any language with just a tap of a button.
Please take into consideration that this function is exclusive to Google Pixel phones, and even then only the Pixel 6 and above. You’ll need to turn on Live Translate before you can use it on your Pixel phone.
How to Activate the Google’s Live Translate feature
- Open the Settings app on your Pixel phone. Scroll down to the System section.
- Navigate to the Live Translate section.
- Enable the toggle next to Live Translate right at the top. You can also select what language you want the text to be translated to by default.
With Live Translate now active, you can translate WhatsApp messages into English or any other language.
- Open the WhatsApp chat with the messages to be translated. If the chat contains any messages(s) in a language that is different from your system language, you will receive a prompt at the top of your screen to translate it. Tap on it.
- You will now be asked to download the language pack corresponding to the language in which the message was received. Tap on Download.
Every single message in the chat written in that language will now be translated for you into your preferred language.
This applies to any and all future messages sent to you in that language. If you get a French message and follow the instructions, your phone will automatically translate any future French messages into your preferred language.
It’s a huge time and effort saver and a huge convenience. It’s like the Google Pixel phone has a translator app for your WhatsApp messages already installed.
