No one ignores that we are probably talking about the app with the highest number of active users in the world and, as such, it is normal that we sometimes start conversations with users, friends, family or others who do not speak the same language as us. Therefore, to help its diverse user base communicate more fluidly, WhatsApp is developing a new feature that will automatically translate chat messages and channel updates.
As often happens, it has been WABetaInfothe media specialized in discovering future developments in the app, who detected that WhatsApp is developing this function to improve communication between languages.
It is currently in beta phase with version 2.24.26.9 for Androidbut don’t doubt that the mass will arrive sooner or later in the version of the app for iOS. The most normal thing is that the new features of the app (which is still the responsibility of an American company) reach the iPhone first, as it is the best-selling smartphone within American borders, so It is likely that you will see it arrive on your iPhone very soon.
How translation works in WhatsApp
It was WABetaInfo himself (or her own?) who explained that the translation process is done entirely on the user’s devicefulfilling WhatsApp’s promise to maintain end-to-end encryption that protects the privacy of conversations held through the messaging app.
This is a big difference with most traditional translation apps that we can download from the App Store and that send data to servers in the cloud, since WhatsApp feature uses previously downloaded language packswhich ensures that no data is shared with third-party services or even with META servers.
Although it is still in development, once it is available, users will have the option to download the language pack needed to be able to use it connection. Once installed, users will be able to enable translations locally, even without an active Internet connection, which, in addition to preserving their privacy, will allow them to access translations anytime, anywhere.
Additionally, users will be able to decide whether translate specific messages manually or enable automatic translations for all new messages and channel updates.
However, the fact that everything is done locally, and without access to the Internet, implies a series of disadvantages since, generally, offline translations may not be the most accurate in the world by not having relevant updates and relying on pre-downloaded language packs instead of real-time updates from external translation engines.
But despite these limitations, it is a real help which will eliminate barriers between languages and allow you to communicate with people from all over the world in a very simple way, something especially useful if you have to buy abroad and, for example, you do not understand the seller’s language.
