How do I translate what I write in WhatsApp?
Install Babelo, a translator keyboard for iPhone and Android. In WhatsApp, you type in your language, tap 文A, and your message is replaced by its translation before you send it, in any of 26 languages. No copy-paste. The same keyboard works in all your apps, and it also translates the messages you receive.
Translate a WhatsApp message, step by step
- Install Babelo from the App Store or Google Play, then open the app: it walks you through turning on the keyboard.
- In the Babelo app, pick your language and your contact's language.
- In WhatsApp, open the chat and switch to the Babelo keyboard (the 🌐 globe on iPhone, the keyboard icon on Android).
- Type your message in your language, then tap 文A: the text in the field is replaced by its translation.
- Read it over and send it as usual.
Reading a message you received
On Android, Babelo puts a 👁 on the messages you receive (you allow Android's Accessibility service once): tap it to read the translation. On iPhone, copy the message, then tap 👁 on the Babelo keyboard.
What about WhatsApp's built-in translation?
In September 2025, WhatsApp announced translation of received messages: you long-press a message, then choose to translate it. It runs on the phone, and at launch it covered 6 languages on Android. The announcement does not mention the messages you write. Babelo is built first for writing in the other person's language, in every app, not only WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
- Does my contact need to install Babelo?
- No. They receive a normal WhatsApp message, already translated into their language. Only the person writing needs Babelo.
- Does it also work in Instagram, Telegram or SMS?
- Yes. Babelo is a keyboard: it translates in every app where you can type text.
- How many languages?
- 26 languages, including English, French, Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, Spanish and Portuguese.
- Is it free?
- When you create your account, you get 10 free translations, once. After that, a short video in the app gives you more, or Babelo Plus gives you unlimited translations.
Other questions
- How do I translate my Instagram DMs as I write?
- How do I translate my Telegram messages as I write?
- How do I install a translator keyboard on iPhone?
- How do I install a translator keyboard on Android?
- Which keyboard can I use to write in Hebrew and French?
- Which keyboard can I use to write in Hebrew and English?
- Which keyboard can I use to write in Hebrew and Russian?
- Is Babelo free?
- Guide: install a translator keyboard on iPhone and Android
Install Babelo
Free to download, with 10 free translations when you create your account.