How to translate text messages on any iPhone
Updated · 5 min read
Short answer
On an iPhone with Apple Intelligence (iPhone 15 Pro or newer, on iOS 26 or later), open a Messages conversation, tap the contact's name and turn on Automatically Translate. It only works in Apple's Messages, Phone and FaceTime. On any other iPhone, or in WhatsApp, Instagram and other apps, use a translator keyboard like Swaytype (iOS 16 or later) to translate what you write and what you receive.
Option 1: Live Translation in Messages (newer iPhones)
- 1
Open the conversation
In Messages, tap the contact's name at the top.
- 2
Turn on Automatically Translate
Then tap Translate From and choose the language.
- 3
Download the language
iOS may ask to download a language pack first.
It needs an iPhone with Apple Intelligence, your iPhone and Siri set to the same supported language, and it covers these languages in Messages: English, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Chinese (simplified and traditional), Turkish and Vietnamese. Source: Apple Support.
Option 2: a translator keyboard (any iPhone, any app)
Live Translation doesn't work in WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram, Gmail or any app outside Apple's own. A translator keyboard does, because it's the keyboard you type with everywhere. With Swaytype:
- To send a text in another language: type it in yours, tap Translate, pick the language, send.
- To read a text you got: copy it and tap Translate received message. The translation shows above your keys.
🇪🇸 Typed in Spanish
oye q tal todo? ya llegue a la casa, gracias x la cena de anoche estuvo buenisima, repetimos pronto va?
🇺🇸 Sent in English
hey how’s everything? I already got home, thanks for dinner last night it was amazing, we should do it again soon yeah?
Real Swaytype output
Which one should you use?
| Swaytype keyboard | Apple Live Translation | |
|---|---|---|
| iPhones | Any iPhone on iOS 16 or later | iPhone 15 Pro or newer, with Apple Intelligence |
| Apps | Every app: WhatsApp, Instagram, Messages, email | Messages, Phone and FaceTime |
| Translate what you send | Yes, one tap | Yes, in Messages |
| Translate what you receive | Yes, copy and one tap | Yes, automatically |
| Languages | Many, you choose your list | 16 in Messages |
| Fix typos and tone | Yes, Casual or Pro | No |
| Price | Free, 10 rewrites a day. Pro is unlimited | Free |
Apple facts from Apple Support and MacRumors, checked September 2026.
If all your chats are in Messages and you have a newer iPhone, Live Translation is great. If you also text in WhatsApp or other apps, or have an older iPhone, use a translator keyboard. They work fine side by side.
Try it in your next message.
Free to start. 10 rewrites a day, no card needed.
Scan with your iPhone cameraHow to set up Swaytype
- 1
Download Swaytype
Get it free from the App Store. It needs iOS 16 or later.
- 2
Turn on the keyboard
Open Settings > Apps > Swaytype > Keyboards and switch on Swaytype. On iOS 17 and earlier it's Settings > Swaytype > Keyboards. The app opens the right screen for you.
- 3
Allow Full Access
Translate and Improve need the internet, and on iPhone a keyboard only gets it with Full Access. iOS shows the same warning for every keyboard, even Google's and Microsoft's.
- 4
Switch to Swaytype
In any app, hold the globe key under the letters and pick Swaytype. That's it.
