How to Translate Any Android App Into Your Language

Found a great app, but it's not in your language?

Or maybe it's in a language you can't read at all.

When I first wrote this in 2017, the only way to translate a whole app was an Xposed module called All Trans. You needed a rooted phone, the Xposed Framework and a free Yandex API key.

That's no longer the case. Android and Google's apps can now translate most of what's on your screen, with no root needed.

In this guide, I'll show you every way to do it, from the easiest to the most advanced.

Also Read: How to Use WhatsApp in Your Own Language

TL;DR

• Easiest: if the app is listed, change its language under "App languages" (Android 13 and newer). That's a real translation made by the developer.
• Whole screen, right now: use Circle to Search and tap "Translate". It works on select Android phones, including the Pixel 6 and newer.
• Text you can copy: use Tap to Translate in Google Translate. For text inside a picture, use the camera or Google Lens.
• Rooted phones only: AllTrans is still available, but it needs the Xposed Framework. Don't root just for this.

Android App Translation Methods at a Glance

Start with the first method that fits your situation. The table lists the options from the easiest to the most advanced.

How to Change an App's Language on Android 13 and Newer

Before you translate anything, check if the app already speaks your language.

Many apps are translated into lots of languages. Since Android 13, you can pick a language for each app, separate from your phone's language.

1. Open "Settings" → "System" → "Languages" (on some phones, "Languages & input").
2. Tap "App languages".
3. Pick the app, then pick your language.

You can also go to "Settings" → "Apps", tap the app and look for "Language".

This is the app's own translation, made by its developer. It isn't machine translation.

The catch: an app only shows up here if its developer added support for it, and you'll only see the languages the app actually has. If it's listed, try this first.

How to Translate Your Whole Screen With Circle to Search

This is the closest thing to what All Trans did in 2017.

Circle to Search works on select Android phones, including the Pixel 6 and newer.

1. Open the app you want to translate.
2. Touch and hold the Home button or the navigation handle at the bottom of the screen.
3. Tap "Translate" next to the search bar.

Google translates the text on your screen, right on top of the app.

Want to keep reading? Choose "Scroll and translate", and Circle to Search keeps translating as you scroll through web pages and apps.

Google says translation works for most content, like web pages, messages and social media, but not videos and GIFs.

How to Use Tap to Translate in Google Translate

If you can copy the text, Tap to Translate gives you the translation in a small pop-up, without leaving the app.

How to Turn It On

1. Open the Google Translate app.
2. At the top right, tap Menu → "Settings".
3. Tap "Tap to Translate" → "Enable". On Android 10 and up, Google says to also tap "Paste" here.
4. If it asks to "Display over other apps", allow it.

On a Pixel 6 or newer, you can also turn on "Show floating icon" for quicker translations.

How to Use It

1. Open any app with text you can select.
2. Highlight the text and tap "Copy".
3. Tap the Google Translate icon on your screen.
4. Pick the language you want.

Google says the text you copy is only sent to Google after you tap the Translate icon.

One thing to know: Tap to Translate works with text, not with images.

How to Translate Text in a Picture or Screenshot

Some apps show text as images, or don't let you copy anything. For those, take a screenshot and translate the picture:

1. Open the Google Translate app and choose your languages.
2. Tap "Camera".
3. Tap "All Images" and pick your screenshot.

You can also point the camera at a sign, a menu or a box and tap the shutter button to translate it.

Google Lens can do the same thing. I show how to use Lens in my guide on copying text from any image.

AllTrans on a Rooted Phone: What Has Changed

All Trans, the module from my 2017 post, is still around. You'll find it as AllTrans on GitHub, where it's open source.

It's on the GitHub page of Akhil Kedia, the XDA developer who built it.

A few things have changed:

• It now uses Google translation by default. You set your languages and download the translation files in the app.
• Yandex has stopped giving out free translate API keys, so the Yandex steps from my old post don't work for new users.
• Microsoft translation also works, but you need your own subscription key, and signing up needs a credit card.
• You still need the Xposed Framework. The developer recommends LSPosed or EdXposed.

So it's only for people who already have a rooted phone with LSPosed set up.

If that's not you, don't root just for this. The first four methods above are much easier and safer.

Also Read: Does Rooting Brick Your Phone? The Honest Answer

Can You Translate Phone Calls on Android?

Some phones can translate calls too.

On select Samsung Galaxy phones with One UI 6.1 or newer, go to "Settings" → "Galaxy AI" → "Call assist" → "Live translate" and turn it on.

Samsung says it can also work in other calling apps like WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal, under "Live translate in other apps".

Final Thoughts

Start with the app's own language setting, if it has one. If your language isn't there, Circle to Search is the quickest way to translate the whole screen.

Tap to Translate and Google Lens fill in the gaps. AllTrans only makes sense if you already run LSPosed on a rooted phone.

Machine translation isn't perfect, so double-check anything important, like prices, dates or medical info.

FAQs

How do I translate an Android app into my language?

First check the app's own language under "App languages" on Android 13 and newer. If your language isn't there, open the app and, on a select Android phone such as a Pixel 6 or newer, touch and hold the Home button and tap "Translate" to translate the screen with Circle to Search.

Can I translate an Android app without root?

Yes, the app language setting, Circle to Search, Tap to Translate and Google Lens all work without root. Only AllTrans needs a rooted phone with the Xposed Framework.

Does Circle to Search translate videos?

Not according to Google, which says translation works for most content, like web pages, messages and social media, but not videos and GIFs.

Why doesn't my app show up in App languages?

An app only appears there if its developer added support for your language. In that case, use Circle to Search or Tap to Translate instead.

Still stuck? Tell me through the contact page.