Google Translate Now Available as Default Translation App on iPhone and iPad - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Google Translate Now Available as Default Translation App on iPhone and iPad

iPhone and iPad users can now set Google Translate as their default translation app on iOS, replacing Apple's built-in Translate app as the go-to option.

google translate default app ios
To change your default app, you'll need to install the latest version of the Google Translate app, which was released today. From there, you can open up the Settings app, select the Apps section, tap on Default Apps, tap Translation, and choose Google Translate instead of Apple Translate.

The default translation app can be changed as long as you're running iOS 18.4 or iPadOS 18.4 or later.

iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 added the ability for users to set a different translation app as their default. Users worldwide can select Google Translate or another translation app as an alternative, and there are also options for changing the default Email, Messaging, Calling, Browser, and Password apps. In the EU, users can also select a different default navigation app, such as Google Maps.

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.4 Adds Two New Features to CarPlay

Tuesday March 24, 2026 1:55 pm PDT by
iOS 26.4 was released today, and it includes a couple of new features for CarPlay: an Ambient Music widget and support for voice-based chatbot apps. To update your iPhone 11 or newer to iOS 26.4, open the Settings app and tap on General → Software Update. CarPlay will automatically offer the new features so long as the iPhone connected to your vehicle is running iOS 26.4 or later....
Apple Business hero

Apple Unveils 'Apple Business' All-in-One Platform

Tuesday March 24, 2026 8:53 am PDT by
Apple today announced Apple Business, a new all-in-one platform that unifies device management, productivity tools, and customer outreach features. The service is designed to be a consolidated replacement for several of Apple's existing business-focused offerings, including Apple Business Essentials, Apple Business Manager, and Apple Business Connect. It provides organizations with a single...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Tuesday March 24, 2026 12:31 pm PDT by
Apple today released new firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and the AirPods 4. The firmware has a version number of 8B39, up from 8B34 on the AirPods Pro 3, 8B28 on the AirPods Pro 2, and 8B21 on the AirPods 4. There is no word on what's included in the firmware, but Apple has a support document with limited notes. Most updates are limited to bug fixes and performance...

Top Rated Comments

11 months ago
This is an improvement. google translate much better than apple translate
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
russell_314 Avatar
11 months ago

Thanks but no thanks will never use google products, they can't be trusted with my information, for anyone that use google on their apple products, don't complain you made that choice.
You realize Google is the default web search engine for Apple products? That means when you type something in the web address it’s going through Google.

I’m not a fan of Google either, but unfortunately, they make some really good products. I don’t like their browser, but that’s just my personal choice but Gmail and Google maps are pretty good.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
11 months ago

Is it even safe to install Google apps on my iPhone…?
Why wouldn't it be?

Their Apps are coming from the Apple iOS App Store, which I keep getting told is a bastion of security and privacy in the scary wide world out there..
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
11 months ago
Apple has really dropped the ball on language support, and it’s truly baffling. It’s not just the translation apps — it’s everything. For example, swipe-to-type and predictive text aren’t available in my language. But autocorrect and speech-to-text are. Like… what? You clearly have the language data — you’re just not implementing it properly. Translation and Siri are unavailable too. Also if you want to change the spoken directions language in Maps, you have to change the whole a.. system language of your phone. Horrid software. But we have icon tinting, yay!
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
11 months ago
This is a good addition. Apple's Translate app is missing so many languages.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jchap Avatar
11 months ago

iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 ('https://www.geekwebguides.com/guide/ios-18-4-features-2/') added the ability for users to set a different translation app as their default, and Google seems to be the first company to add support for the function.
DeepL can also be set as the default translation app, so it's not just Google Translate. I'm sure more will follow.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)