WhatsApp beta for Android adds 13 language packs for message translations
WhatsApp is rolling out 13 additional language packs to let users translate their messages in more languages. These new packs expand the app's support beyond the original set, making conversations across different languages more accessible.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | Language packs for message translations |
| Status: | Rolling out |
| Compatibility: | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.12.4 has been designated as a compatible update, but some users may be able to get the same feature by installing the previous update. |
| Availability info: | This feature is available to some beta testers, and it is rolling out to more users over the coming weeks. |
| Thanks: | FastenM and lostliano, for testing and reporting. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp beta is testing Liquid Glass design for voice messages! |
WhatsApp launches 13 additional language packs on Android
In the post about the WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.11.10.70 update, we announced a feature that lets users translate messages automatically. This feature will allow users to select a language across 21 different options and see their incoming messages translated in real-time. To preserve end-to-end encryption, messages are processed locally using language packs. So messages do not need to be shared with any third parties for translation.
At the moment, iOS users must translate their messages manually from the context menu, as the feature to automatically translate them is still under development. In the meantime, WhatsApp is also dedicated to further improve the experience with message translations on the Android app. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.12.4 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that brings 13 additional language packs to message translations.
As you can see from the attached image, some beta testers can translate their messages by choosing one from the new language packs available. In the previous updates, users could choose to translate their messages from one of the following languages: Arabic, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, and Russian. Additionally, users can download a dedicated language pack designed to detect the message language automatically. However, the current set of supported languages is still limited, so not all users can translate their messages into any language they want. So some desired languages may not be available yet.
With the latest update, WhatsApp is finally addressing this issue by introducing new language packs. Excluding the automatic language detection pack, the number of available language packs increases from 6 (including English) to 19. This means that 13 new language packs are now available. As a result, WhatsApp is finally making it easier for users around the world to translate messages in their preferred language.
New language packs now include Czech, German, French, Indonesian, Italian, Latvian, Dutch, Polish, Swedish, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, and Simplified Chinese. These additions provide users with more flexibility to translate their messages across different languages. With these language packs, users are more likely to find support for their preferred language, as the expanded selection now covers a wider range of regions.
WhatsApp is also expanding the availability of the message translation feature to some accounts in different regions. This is helpful for those users who live in areas where these newly supported languages are commonly used. For example, users in Central and Eastern Europe can benefit from support for languages like Czech and Polish. Similarly, people in countries such as Indonesia and Turkey can now translate messages more easily using their native languages.
Note that WhatsApp also relies on language packs to let users transcribe their voice messages. Using these packs allows WhatsApp to securely recognize and convert spoken words into text. Currently, new language packs are only available for message translation. However, since the same packs are used for both translation and transcription, it is possible that they will soon support voice message transcriptions as well. This could make it easier for users to read and understand voice messages in a wider range of languages.
The feature that brings 13 additional language packs to message translations is available to some beta testers who install the latest WhatsApp beta for Android update from the Google Play Store. They are currently available to a limited number of users. This means that users may still only access the default 5 set of language packs. Over the coming week, more beta testers are expected to get access to the new language packs.
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