WhatsApp basics
Auto-translate visible WhatsApp messages, without scanning history
Turn on auto-translate for visible incoming messages, understand what it never touches, and keep the cost predictable.
When a chat moves quickly, opening the message menu for every sentence is too slow. Auto-translate is designed for the messages already on screen.
It is off by default. When you turn it on, it translates visible incoming messages into your target language and skips your own messages, old messages outside the viewport, and text that is already in the target language.
Turn it on deliberately
Open the side panel settings and enable automatic translation for incoming messages. Choose the target language in the same section.
The switch applies immediately. Turning it on calls the text model for new visible messages and may incur charges.
What it covers
Auto-translate looks at the currently visible window of the open chat. It starts from the newest message and works upward.
It translates only messages from the other party. Messages you sent are never translated. Messages that are already in the target language are skipped without a model call.
- Visible incoming text messages.
- Not your own outgoing messages.
- Not messages outside the current viewport.
- Not every chat in the sidebar.
Reuse and cost
If a translation was already saved for the same message and content, it is reused instead of calling the model again.
Cost is based on actual model usage. If you only need one message, use the message menu instead of enabling auto-translate for the whole chat.
Turn it off when the chat is done
Auto-translate is a per-device preference. Turn it off when you switch to a chat where you do not need it, or when you want to control cost manually.
The extension never sends a message on your behalf. Auto-translate only adds a reading result below the incoming message.
Do it on your device
Web
- Open WhatsApp Web in desktop Chrome 120 or later and keep the chat you want to read in view.
- Open the side panel, go to settings, and turn on automatic translation for incoming messages.
- Choose the target language in the same settings section.
- Turn the switch off when you no longer need it, or move to a chat where you do not want it.
Auto-translate covers only visible incoming messages. It never translates your own messages or scans history.
iPhone
- There is no auto-translate on iPhone. Long-press one incoming message, tap Share, then choose the inWind WA Helper shortcut.
- Choose the target language for the shortcut on first run.
- Read the result on the shortcut result page.
- Copy the translation into WhatsApp and send your reply yourself.
Auto-translate is a desktop extension feature. On iPhone, translate one message at a time.
Android
- There is no auto-translate in the Android app. Long-press one incoming message, tap Share, then choose inWind WA Helper.
- Set the interface language and translation target separately in the app settings.
- Read the result on the app result page.
- Copy the translation into WhatsApp and send your reply yourself.
Auto-translate is a desktop extension feature. On Android, share one message per request.
Frequently asked questions
Does it translate my own messages?
No. Only messages from the other party are considered. Messages you sent are excluded.
Does it scan the whole chat history?
No. It processes the currently visible window of the open chat, starting from the newest message.
Why did a message not translate?
It may be outside the visible window, already in the target language, sent by you, or not recognized as text. The side panel has a diagnostic check for the current chat.
Give your next WhatsApp message to inWind
Understand foreign-language messages from your customers and prepare a reply in the language you know best. Text, images, and voice notes included.