Meta launches real-time translation on WhatsApp: Here's how the new tool works

Meta Platforms announced the launch of an innovative real-time translation feature on WhatsApp , its messaging service with over 3 billion users worldwide . The tool will allow users to communicate more fluidly in different languages ​​without the need for external applications, marking a key step toward truly global communication.

As the company explained on its official blog, message translations were designed to protect chat privacy . This means the entire process is executed directly on the user's device , without WhatsApp or Meta having access to the content.

With this measure, the company seeks to address the privacy concerns that often accompany new features based on artificial intelligence and data processing.

Users will be able to simply long-press on a message and select the " Translate " option to view the content in another language. This feature will be available in both personal and group chats , as well as in channel updates .

At launch, the translation feature in WhatsApp comes with differences between operating systems:

• Android: Translations available in 6 languages.
• iPhone (iOS): Translations available in 19 languages.

Meta confirmed that more languages ​​will be added to both platforms in the coming months, with the goal of achieving ever-wider coverage.

According to specialists, this initial differentiation is due to the development and certification processes of each operating system, although it is not ruled out that over time both systems will become more similar in availability.

One of the exclusive benefits for Android users is the ability to activate automatic translation of entire conversations .

This means that by enabling the feature, an entire future message thread can be automatically displayed in the user's preferred language, without the need to manually translate message by message.

This option seeks to facilitate constant interactions in different languages, as may occur in multinational work groups, international communities, or families living in different countries .

With this feature, WhatsApp seeks to consolidate its position as the most used messaging app in the world and, at the same time, compete with other platforms that have already integrated similar services, such as Telegram or even independent applications like Google Translate .

However, WhatsApp's key difference is that translations are integrated natively and privately , without the need to copy and paste messages from external services. This reinforces its vision of becoming a complete communication ecosystem .

The arrival of real-time translation on WhatsApp not only benefits individual users, but also businesses and entrepreneurs who use WhatsApp Business to interact with international customers.

It will now be possible to respond immediately to inquiries in other languages, eliminating language barriers and improving customer service in global markets.

Likewise, international communities and organizations will be able to coordinate more effectively, without relying on external intermediaries or translators.

One of the most notable points of this announcement is Meta's emphasis on privacy . By performing translations directly on the device, the company ensures that neither WhatsApp servers nor third parties have access to chat content.

This approach seeks to build trust at a time when messaging apps are competing not only for features but also to demonstrate that they can protect their users' information.

The new real-time translation feature in WhatsApp represents a significant advancement in the way millions of people communicate globally. By offering a secure, integrated, and easy-to-use system, Meta is committed to a world where language barriers are no longer an obstacle in everyday life, work, and personal relationships.

With more languages ​​on the way and options like automatic translation on Android , this update promises to become one of the most used tools within the app, reaffirming WhatsApp's position as the most important communication platform on the planet.