Break the Language Barrier with Instant Messages Translation

The translation feature in the Messages app is one of my favourite new features in iOS 26. It completely removes the language barrier when you’re messaging friends, colleagues, or family, because it will convert messages between two languages seamlessly.

In this conversation with Carmelo, I’m typing in English and they’re typing in Italian, and yet we can both fully understand what each other is saying thanks to the translations. You can see here that as Carmelo replies, the writing at the top is in Italian, and the writing underneath is in English. I can then reply in English, and the message will get translated to Italian on their phone as we’re chatting.

I can also customise how it displays on my phone. Right now, I’m seeing both the Italian and English messages. But if I tap in the middle here, I can choose to view English only, and then the translation will just apply as if Carmelo was chatting to me in English the whole time. I quite like seeing both languages — I think it’s really interesting, and it’s also a good way of learning.

This setting works either automatically if Messages detects a supported language that isn’t your native language, or you can tap the contact picture at the top of the screen and turn on Auto Translate. Here you can specify which languages you want to translate to and from. And of course, you can turn the feature off if you don’t want to use it.

Now, I’ve re-enabled the feature. As I’m typing in the Messages box, you can see it translating in real time what I’m saying in English to what Carmelo will see in Italian.

What’s great is that it also works in group chats, so it doesn’t have to be just a one-on-one conversation. And it also works on phone calls and in FaceTime — both of which I’ll demo in other videos.

That’s the translation feature in Messages, built into iOS 26. It’s super easy to use and incredibly powerful. If you want to see what else is new on your iPhone, check out my channel down below and make sure you subscribe while you’re there. See you next time.