Tech Desk 
Mar 23, 2026
WhatsApp is reportedly working on a new feature, named 'Translate' that will automatically translate messages across 21 languages, providing users with a better messaging experience.
WABetaInfo reported that WhatsApp feature is currently under development. It builds on WhatsApp’s existing manual translation tool.
Currently, users need to select individual messages and tap a 'Translate' option. The upcoming WhatsApp update will remove this step by enabling automatic translations within chats.
What's new in WhatsApp update?
WhatsApp users will be able to enable the feature from the chat settings, selecting both the source and target languages. Once enabled, incoming messages in the chosen language will be translated automatically, while the original text remains accessible.
WhatsApp — to maintain privacy — will keep translations locally on the device using your phone’s system-level APIs. This ensures that messages remain protected under WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption and are not sent to external servers.
Users will need to download language packs to enable offline, instant translations. The feature will support both individual and group chats. However, in group conversations, automatic translation will only work if all participants are using the same language. Messages in unsupported or mixed languages will not be translated.
However, the translation feature is still in development, as WhatsApp will launch the feature to beta testers before a wider release.
