If you use an iPhone or iPad and prefer to use Google Translate instead of Apple's built-in translate tool, then you're in luck, because OS-level support is here. Users with the Google Translate app installed on their iOS device can change the default translator just like they would any other default app.
Anyone with the app should head to the App Store to update to the latest version. Additionally, be sure you have iOS or iPadOS 18.4 or later installed, as changing the default translation app will only work with that version of iOS.
The feature was added with the release of iOS 18.4, and it seems Google is the first to take advantage of it.
If you're interested in using Google Translate as your default translator app, here's what you need to know:
Download or update Google Translate
If you don't already have the app, head to the App Store to download it. If you have it, follow the procedure to update an iOS app to ensure you have the latest version.
Go to default apps
You'll need to head to the Settings app on iOS to change the default translation app (you can't do it from Google Translate's app).
First, tap Settings, then Apps, followed by default apps.
Change default translator
Once in the default apps section, tap Translation to open the screen with your installed translation apps. If you have the latest version of Google Translate installed, it'll appear on this screen with Apple's built-in translator. Tap Google Translate and you're done.
It'll be interesting to see if other translation apps make their way to iOS in the future. Having them integrated at the OS level makes them much more useful, so hopefully, we will see a bunch take advantage of iOS 18.4's new level of flexibility.
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