WhatsApp has released version 25.28.74 for iOS, introducing a new message translation feature that works securely on-device. This update allows users to translate chats, group messages, and channel posts into 21 different languages without sending data to Meta or external servers. The feature is gradually rolling out to users through the App Store.
According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp for iOS now integrates Apple’s Translation API, first introduced in iOS 17.4. Unlike Android, which relies on WhatsApp’s own lightweight translation engine, the iOS version uses Apple’s native translation framework. This approach enables faster, more reliable translations while maintaining full end-to-end encryption and privacy. Because the process happens locally, users can even translate messages offline once the required language packs are downloaded.
The new translation tool supports languages including Arabic, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Dutch, English (US and UK), French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Spanish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese. The available options depend on the version of iOS installed on the device.
Users can access the translation feature by selecting any message and tapping “Translate” in the context menu. The translated text then appears directly below the original message, preserving the conversation flow. This makes it easier to follow multilingual discussions in chats, groups, and channels without switching apps or losing context. Automatic language detection is also supported, though users can manually select the source and target languages when needed.
All translations occur on-device, ensuring that message data remains private and inaccessible to Apple, Meta, or third parties. Users can verify this by performing a translation in Airplane Mode after downloading language packs. This offline capability emphasizes WhatsApp’s continued focus on privacy, complementing its existing encryption framework.
The rollout of message translations on iOS follows earlier testing on Android, reflecting WhatsApp’s ongoing effort to provide a consistent, cross-platform user experience. The feature is currently available to some users and will expand to more devices in the coming weeks as part of the phased deployment. Users are encouraged to update to the latest version from the App Store to access the new functionality once available.
