New WhatsApp feature alert!
WhatsApp is set to roll out new AI-powered tools through Meta, including features like image generation, travel itinerary planning, and recipe creation. Alongside these, the app is also working on a practical in-app message translation feature. Ideal for frequent travelers or users receiving messages in different languages, this upcoming tool could eliminate the need for third-party translation apps, making communication smoother and more seamless.
WhatsApp is testing a new 'Translate Messages' feature with its beta for Android version 2.25.12.25, now available to select beta users. A new toggle appears under the Chat Lock settings on a per-chat basis, allowing users to enable translation support. According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp has been developing this feature since July 2024, and it works across both chats and WhatsApp Channels.
To activate the feature, users need to go into the chat settings of a specific conversation and turn on the 'Translate Messages' toggle. Once enabled, they can choose from supported languages including Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese (Brazil), Hindi, and Russian. The app will then download the relevant language pack to the device, which is essential for translations to function.
One of the key highlights of the feature is that it works entirely offline. All translations are processed directly on the user's device without using Meta's servers, offering increased privacy and faster performance. This means users can translate messages even when they're not connected to the internet.
In addition to translating entire chats, users can also choose to translate individual messages manually using a 'Translate' button. The feature is disabled by default, but it can be turned on or off, and managed through WhatsApp's settings. This update follows the app's earlier rollout of voice note transcription, which also works offline using downloadable language packs.
WhatsApp had previously introduced the feature to transcribe voice notes into text within the chat window. We tested it, and it proved to be effective over 90% of the time.
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