Summary
iPhone users can translate WhatsApp messages using three main methods: manual copy-paste, the integrated iOS "Translate Selection" shortcut for in-app translations, or advanced tools for voice messages and documents.
Privacy is a key concern when translating conversations; on-device translation via Apple's Translate app is more secure than online tools that may harvest your data.
WhatsApp's official on-device translation feature is expected to launch for iPhone on September 23, 2025, which will make current workarounds unnecessary.
For professional documents like PDFs or contracts shared on WhatsApp, a specialized tool like Bluente's AI Document Translation Platform is essential to preserve formatting and ensure accuracy.
You've received a WhatsApp message in a language you don't understand. Now what? You stare at those foreign characters, knowing there's an important message hidden behind them. As one frustrated iPhone user put it on Reddit, "There's only as much copying into Google Translate one can do in a day..."
If you're tired of constantly switching between apps just to understand what your international friends or family are saying, you're not alone. While Android users enjoy convenient "tap-to-translate" features, iPhone users are left with a more cumbersome experience—but that doesn't mean you don't have options.
This guide will walk you through three practical methods to translate WhatsApp messages on your iPhone, from the most basic approach to advanced automation that will have you feeling like you've got a personal translator right in your pocket.
A Crucial Note on Privacy
Before diving into translation methods, it's important to address a concern raised by many users: "Just be aware that any external website that offers translation services can harvest your conversational data."
This is a valid point. When you copy-paste text into online translators, your message data is sent to their servers for processing. If privacy is important to you (and it should be), you'll want to prioritize methods that use on-device translation whenever possible. Apple's built-in translation features process your text locally on your iPhone rather than sending it to external servers, offering a more secure alternative to some third-party solutions.
Keep this privacy consideration in mind as we explore the following methods.
Method 1: The Classic Approach (Manual Copy & Paste)
This is the most straightforward method—no setup required. While one Reddit user accurately pointed out that "copying and pasting each message after message is just not practical," it remains useful for occasional translations.
Using Apple's Built-in Translate App
Open WhatsApp and navigate to the conversation containing the message you want to translate
Tap and hold on the message bubble until a menu appears
Select 'Copy' from the menu options
Exit WhatsApp and open the Apple Translate app
Paste the copied text into the translation field
View the translation in your preferred language
For best results, make sure your target language is downloaded for offline use. Go to Settings > Translate > Downloaded Languages and add any languages you frequently need.
Using Google Translate
If you prefer Google's translation accuracy or need languages not supported by Apple:
Download Google Translate from the App Store if you haven't already
In WhatsApp, tap and hold the message and select Copy
Switch to Google Translate
Paste the text and view the translation instantly
While effective, this method highlights the key difference between Android and iPhone. Android users can often tap a Google Translate button that appears right within WhatsApp, while iPhone users must switch between apps.
Method 2: The Integrated Solution (Using iOS Shortcuts)
This method is a game-changer for iPhone users, offering a much more seamless experience that keeps you within the WhatsApp interface.
The iOS Shortcuts app is a powerful tool that can automate tasks on your iPhone—including translations. Here's how to set up a shortcut that will let you translate messages without constantly switching apps:
Setting Up the 'Translate Selection' Shortcut
Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone
Tap on the Gallery tab in the bottom-right corner
Search for "Translate Selection" and tap the '+' button to add it to your shortcuts
Once added, the shortcut is ready to use
How to Use the Shortcut in WhatsApp:
In a WhatsApp chat, press and hold a message
From the menu, tap Forward
In the bottom-right corner, tap the Share icon (the box with an arrow pointing up)
Scroll down the share sheet and tap on "Translate Selection"
A popover window will appear directly within WhatsApp displaying the translated text
If "Translate Selection" doesn't appear in your share sheet, scroll to the bottom, tap "Edit Actions..." and add it from there.
What makes this method particularly powerful is that you never have to leave the WhatsApp app. The translation appears in a popover, allowing you to quickly understand a message and continue the conversation without disruption.
You can even enhance this experience by configuring the shortcut to activate with Siri or your iPhone's Back Tap feature for faster access.
Method 3: The Power-User's Toolkit (Advanced Automation & Special Cases)
For those who need more sophisticated translation capabilities—such as handling voice messages or efficiently managing group chats—these advanced methods will take your WhatsApp translation experience to the next level.
Translating WhatsApp Voice Messages
One Reddit user asked: "It works with audio messages?" This is a common pain point, as voice messages are increasingly popular but can't be translated using the standard methods above.
The solution involves a custom iOS shortcut that:
Takes a voice message
Transcribes the audio to text
Translates the resulting text
According to TexMex Expats, developer Giacomo Melzi has created a powerful shortcut that leverages the ChatGPT API for this purpose. The shortcut can be found in his detailed guide.
Note on Cost: While there is a free trial available, using the ChatGPT API for transcription costs approximately $0.006 USD per minute of audio after the trial period ends. For most users, this translates to just a few cents for occasional voice message translations.
Translating Chat Histories and Documents
For multilingual group chats or business conversations, translating message by message isn't practical. A more effective approach is to translate the entire conversation history or any documents shared within the chat.
For Chat Histories: You can export an entire WhatsApp chat as a .txt file. For business, legal, or record-keeping purposes, you can then use a professional translation platform to accurately translate the entire conversation. This gives you a fully translated record of the discussion.
For Shared Documents: More importantly, business on WhatsApp often involves sharing files like PDFs, Word documents, or spreadsheets. If you receive a contract, invoice, or report in another language, you need more than just a text snippet translation.
This is where a specialized tool like Bluente's AI Document Translation Platform becomes essential. It's designed to handle professional documents with three key advantages:
Format Preservation: It translates the document while keeping the original layout, tables, and images perfectly intact—a common failure point for standard translation apps.
High Accuracy: Its AI is fine-tuned for legal, financial, and business terminology, ensuring the translation is contextually accurate.
Security: It offers end-to-end encryption, ensuring your sensitive business documents remain confidential.
So, for any important files you receive on WhatsApp, skip the copy-paste and use a tool built for the job.
Looking Ahead: WhatsApp's Official In-App Translation
Good news for iPhone users: WhatsApp is rolling out a native translation feature that will make all these workarounds unnecessary. According to the official WhatsApp Blog, here's what you can expect:
How it will work: Long-press a message and tap the new 'Translate' option
Privacy: Translation will be performed on your device, ensuring your chats remain private
Compatibility: Works in 1:1 chats, group chats, and Channel updates
Languages: For iPhone users, the feature will support 19+ languages (check Apple's Feature Availability page for the full list)
Launch Date: September 23, 2025
This on-device approach means WhatsApp will join Apple in prioritizing your privacy during translations—your messages won't be sent to external servers for processing.
Troubleshooting & Pro Tips
Having trouble with translations? Here are some quick fixes for common issues:
Incorrect Language Detection: Ensure your preferred languages are added in Settings > General > Language & Region
Permissions Issues: Check that WhatsApp and translation apps have the necessary permissions in Settings > Privacy
Translation Not Appearing: For iOS Shortcuts, make sure your iOS is updated to the latest version
Pro Tip: Use the voice input (dictation) feature on the iOS keyboard when typing into a translation app. This allows you to speak your reply in English and have it quickly transcribed for pasting, which is faster than typing and especially useful when responding to translated messages.
Conclusion
While iPhone users may not have the convenient "tap-to-translate" feature that Android users enjoy, these three methods provide effective solutions for translating WhatsApp messages:
The Classic Approach: Simple copy-paste using built-in or third-party translation apps—basic but universal.
The Integrated Solution: Using iOS Shortcuts for a more seamless experience that keeps you inside WhatsApp.
The Power-User's Toolkit: Advanced solutions for translating voice messages and, for professional use, translating entire chat histories or documents with secure, format-preserving platforms.
Each method has its own balance of convenience and privacy, allowing you to choose what works best for your specific needs. While we await WhatsApp's upcoming native translation feature, these methods provide excellent alternatives that will help you break down language barriers and stay connected with friends, family, and colleagues around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I translate a WhatsApp message on my iPhone without leaving the app?
The most efficient way to translate a WhatsApp message without leaving the app is by using the built-in iOS Shortcuts feature. Simply set up the "Translate Selection" shortcut, and then you can forward any message, tap the Share icon, and select the shortcut to see the translation in a pop-up window directly within WhatsApp.
Is it safe to use online tools to translate my WhatsApp messages?
It depends on the tool. Using online translators that send your data to third-party servers can pose a privacy risk, as your conversational data could be harvested. For maximum security, it is best to use on-device translation methods like Apple's built-in Translate app or the upcoming native WhatsApp feature, which process your data locally on your iPhone.
What is the quickest way to translate a single WhatsApp message on an iPhone?
For occasional translations, the classic copy-and-paste method into the Apple Translate or Google Translate app is the quickest. However, for frequent translations, setting up the iOS "Translate Selection" Shortcut (Method 2) is much faster as it avoids switching between apps.
Can I translate WhatsApp voice messages on my iPhone?
Yes, you can translate WhatsApp voice messages using a custom iOS shortcut. This advanced method typically involves a shortcut that transcribes the audio into text and then translates that text. This may require using a third-party service like the ChatGPT API, which could have associated costs.
What is the best way to translate a PDF or Word document sent via WhatsApp?
The best way to translate a document like a PDF or Word file is to use a specialized AI document translation platform. These tools are designed to preserve the original formatting, layout, and images of the document while providing highly accurate translations, which is crucial for business, legal, or financial documents where context and presentation matter.
When will WhatsApp have a built-in translation feature for iPhone?
WhatsApp is expected to roll out its official, native in-app translation feature for all users, including those on iPhone, on September 23, 2025. This feature will allow you to translate messages directly within the app by long-pressing a message and selecting "Translate," using secure on-device processing.
As one hopeful Reddit user put it: "I wish there was a switch that will translate everything for me to English, and my English reply, for everyone else, to their language..." With these methods—and WhatsApp's forthcoming feature—that wish is becoming a reality.