WhatsApp Beta Introduces Auto-Translation Feature Using Proprietary Technology

WhatsApp for Android was earlier believed to be working on a real-time translation functionality that might integrate Google's live translation technology. According to a recent report, while the feature is indeed being developed, it will solely rely on WhatsApp's proprietary technology. The latest beta version confirms the presence of this feature, although it remains invisible to beta testers. There is no information on when it will be made available to the general public.

A WhatsApp feature tracker, WABetaInfo, recently stated that this auto-translation feature continues to rely on WhatsApp’s internal technology without the assistance of any third-party tech. This implies that the processing will occur entirely on the device, ensuring that the messages remain end-to-end encrypted.

WABetaInfo also provided a new screenshot, which offers a clearer view of the feature. This screenshot was extracted from the latest WhatsApp for Android beta version 2.24.15.12. In it, the feature is referred to as “Translate your message”. WhatsApp further emphasizes that the texts will be end-to-end encrypted, meaning no one, including WhatsApp, will be able to read them.

According to the screenshots, users will need to activate a toggle to translate all messages in a chat. Following this, they must select both the language to be translated and the output language. WhatsApp will then prompt the user to download a language pack. After the download, all messages in the chat will be automatically translated, with each translated message displaying a “translated” label at the bottom of the bubble.

The feature tracker notes that initial language support includes English, Arabic, Hindi, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), and Russian. However, more languages are expected to be added in future updates. The feature was first noticed in the WhatsApp for Android app version 2.24.15.8, though the staff at Gadgets 360 have not yet been able to verify its existence or functionality.