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How to translate text in Messages on iPhone

With Apple Intelligence, you can use Live Translation to see incoming texts in other languages, automatically translated to your preferred language in the Messages app. It’s private, too. Live Translation relies on Apple-built models that run entirely on device, so your personal conversations stay private. It works with the languages you download, and Apple Intelligence is available on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPhone 16 models or later.

Note: Apple Intelligence on iOS 27 or later is available on an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or iPhone 16 model or later. Apple Intelligence is not available in all languages or regions. Usage limits may apply.*

  1. Download the languages you want to translate.
  2. Start the Messages app on your iPhone.
  3. When you receive a message in a different language, do any of the following:
    • Choose a different language: Tap the contact or group icon at the top of the conversation, scroll down, and then tap Translate From or Translate To.
    • View the original text: At the bottom of the conversation, tap Translating [language] and then choose to see the original text in addition to the translated text.
    • Turn off Live Translation for the conversation: At the bottom of the conversation, tap Translating [language] and tap Stop Translation.

*Apple Intelligence is available with Siri and device language set to Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, or Vietnamese. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. Some devices may not be available in all regions.

Siri AI is available in beta in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27 and requires an Apple Intelligence–enabled device set to a supported language. Available in English to start. Siri AI will not be initially available in the EU on iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS. Certain Apple Intelligence features that rely on server-side models are subject to daily usage limits, including but not limited to Siri AI, Intelligent Photo Editing Tools, Image Playground, and AFM 3 Cloud models in Shortcuts.

Daily limits may vary by feature, request complexity, system demand, system policies, and other factors. Expanded access to such features will be available for a fee in the future. Use of these features is subject to the Apple Intelligence Terms and Conditions.