GOOGLE TRANSLATE GAINS DEFAULT STATUS ON IPHONE, EXPANDING LANGUAGE ACCESS

This week, Google announced a significant update to its Translate app for iOS, allowing users to set it as the default translation app on iPhones and iPads running iOS 18.4 or later. This change, enabled by Apple's expanded default app settings, lets Google Translate handle all translation requests system-wide, bypassing Apple's built-in Translate app.

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For travelers, multilingual users, and tech enthusiasts, this move broadens access to Google's robust translation capabilities, supporting over 100 languages compared to Apple's 19, in a $1.5 trillion smartphone market where seamless communication is increasingly vital.

The update, part of version 9.8.011, marks a shift in Apple's ecosystem, historically restrictive of third-party defaults, and positions Google Translate as a key player in mobile language tools.

HOW THE DEFAULT SETTING WORKS

Google Translate's new default status allows it to take over all translation tasks on iOS, whether triggered by selecting text, using Siri, or tapping a translate option in apps like Safari.

Once set as the default, the app instantly processes requests, such as translating a French menu via the camera or converting a Spanish email with a tap.

The feature, introduced with iOS 18.4 in April 2025, builds on Apple's updated Settings app, which now includes a dedicated "Default Apps" section for categories like translation, email, and browsing.

To enable it, users navigate to Settings, tap Apps, select Default Apps, then choose Translation, where Google Translate appears alongside Apple's Translate if version 9.8.011 is installed.

The process is straightforward, requiring only a few taps, and works on iPhones and iPads running iOS 18.4 or iPadOS 18.4 or later.

This integration ensures a seamless experience, with Google Translate's 100+ language support-covering Arabic, Hindi, Swahili, and more-outpacing Apple's 19 languages, making it a go-to for diverse linguistic needs.