How to Automatically Translate Chinese
Messages on iPhone & Android

1. Make sure you have a compatible iPhone, the latest available version of iOS, and Apple Intelligence turned on under Settings → Apple Intelligence & Siri.
2. Before using Live Translation, download both the input and output languages. Go to Settings → Apps → Translate → Languages, then download Chinese (Simplified) or Chinese (Traditional) plus the language you want the messages translated into.
3. Open Messages and select the conversation you want to translate.
4. Tap the contact or group name at the top of the conversation, then turn on Automatically Translate. If needed, choose another language manually.
5. Select Chinese (Simplified) or Chinese (Traditional) as the source language and your preferred language as the translation language.
6. Incoming messages can now appear translated automatically. Tap the translation control at the bottom of the conversation if you want to show the original Chinese alongside the translation or stop translating the conversation.

Compatibility: Apple Intelligence requires iPhone 15 Pro models or iPhone 16 and later. Live Translation in Messages supports both Simplified and Traditional Chinese, and Apple requires the input and output languages to be downloaded before using Live Translation.

1. Open Settings, then select System → Live Translate.
2. Turn on Use Live Translate.
3. On Pixel 11 series phones, make sure Text is turned on. You can also turn Phone Calls or Media on or off depending on what else you want Live Translate to handle.
4. To add Chinese, tap Add a language, select Chinese (Simplified) or Chinese (Traditional), then tap Add language.
5. Open a Chinese conversation in a supported chat app. When the translate chip appears, tap it, then use the drop-down menu to confirm or change the translation languages.
6. Pixel can translate messages inside the conversation. Tap the language bubble to switch between the original message and the translated version.

Only need to translate one message? Touch and hold the text to select it, tap Copy, then tap Translate copied text.

Compatibility: Text and app translation is available on Pixel 6 and later. The separate Text, Phone Calls, and Media switches are available on Pixel 11 series phones. Google notes that Live Translate works in some chat apps, so it may not appear in every messaging service.

1. Open a compatible messaging app that uses the Samsung Keyboard, such as Samsung Messages or another supported chat app.
2. Start a new conversation and select a recipient, or open an existing conversation. Begin typing your message so the Samsung Keyboard appears.
3. Tap the Writing Assist / Chat Assist icon on the keyboard toolbar. It appears as a small Galaxy AI stars icon.
4. Tap Chat Translation, then select the language you want to use. Choose the Chinese option available on your device and your preferred translation language.
5. Galaxy AI displays the translated text below the original message, allowing you to compare the Chinese with the translation inside the conversation.

Compatibility: Writing Assist / Chat Assist is available on select Galaxy phones and tablets with Galaxy AI. Availability, supported apps, and Chinese locales can vary by model, region, and software version.

1. For incoming Chinese messages, install or open Google Translate, then go to Settings → Tap to Translate and enable the feature.
2. In your messaging app, select and copy the Chinese text. Tap the Google Translate bubble to see the translation without manually switching to the Translate app.
3. For outgoing messages, install Gboard if needed, then open your messaging app and tap the message field so Gboard appears.
4. At the top of the keyboard, open the features menu and tap Translate.
5. Choose the language to translate from, then choose the language to translate into.
6. Enter your message. Gboard shows a translation preview as you type, and you can tap the preview to see alternative translations.
7. When you are satisfied with the translation, tap Select/Done to place it into the message field.

Important: This is not the same as Pixel, Samsung, or iPhone automatically translating an ongoing conversation. It is included so learners with other Android phones still have a practical way to translate messages without constantly moving text between apps.