The language I need isn’t in WhatsApp’s translation list.

Android supports fewer languages than iPhone. If it isn’t listed, it isn’t available yet — use methods 2 to 4.

Can the other person see the translation?

No. Translations show only on your screen. They receive only what you send.

How to chat in another language on WhatsApp without copying into a translator

Dotok teamPublished 2026-10-08

Written by the team that makes Dotok. Free options come first.

In short

You chat now and then — read with WhatsApp’s built-in translation, reply with Gboard. Both are free.
You have a Galaxy AI phone — Chat translation in the Samsung keyboard does both.
You chat every day, or meanings keep slipping — use a translator that floats over the messenger (Dotok).

Cover image: WhatsApp in another language, no copy and paste

Four ways to read and answer inside WhatsApp, without switching to a translator app.

Switching apps costs this many extra taps

Back and forth to a translator

Copy the message
Switch to the translator
Paste and read
Swap the language direction
Write your reply
Copy the translation
Back to WhatsApp
Paste
Send

Taps9App switches2

Right on top of the messenger

Tap the button → already translated
Write your reply
[Insert]
Send

Taps4App switches0

One message received, one sent · each step counted as one action

And a translator app sees one sentence, not the conversation before it.

1. WhatsApp’s built-in translation — reading

Press and hold the message
Tap Translate (or find it under ⋮)
Pick a language — the first time, it downloads a language pack

Android supports fewer languages than iPhone, so the one you need may be missing. It doesn’t write replies.

2. Gboard Translate — replying

Switch your keyboard to Gboard
Open the menu above the keys (four squares) → Translate
Choose their language and type in yours; the translation goes into the input field

It translates the sentence alone, without the earlier messages.

3. Galaxy AI Chat translation — Samsung phones

Turn on Settings → Galaxy AI → Chat Assist → Chat translation
In the chat, tap the Galaxy AI icon → Chat translation on the Samsung keyboard

Only on Galaxy AI models. Menu names vary a little between versions.

4. A translator that floats over the messenger

A panel on top of the chat shows the translation and drafts your reply. We’ll show it with Dotok, the app we make.

Español → English · tap for Original · 18:43

Open the panel and it’s already translated. Read with the message before it, it’s “Just bring yourself”, not “You come and that’s it”. (Example screen)

Type in English, get a Spanish draft and a read-back. Tap [Insert], then press Send yourself. (Example screen)

Android 8.0+ · WhatsApp, KakaoTalk and Messenger · needs the Accessibility permission · part of the chat is sent to a server (OpenAI) · 20 free a day

At a glance

Method	Reading	Replying	Needs	Cost
WhatsApp built-in translation	○	✕	Supported languages only	Free
Gboard Translate	✕	○	Gboard keyboard	Free
Galaxy AI Chat translation	○	○	Supported Galaxy models	Included
Dotok	○ reads earlier messages	○ translate or AI-written	Android 8.0+	20 free a day

FAQ

The language I need isn’t in WhatsApp’s translation list.: Android supports fewer languages than iPhone. If it isn’t listed, it isn’t available yet — use methods 2 to 4.
Can the other person see the translation?: No. Translations show only on your screen. They receive only what you send.