If you’ve ever gotten a direct message on [Instagram](https://mashable.com/category/instagram) in a language you don’t speak well, you understand how exasperating it can be to copy the text, open a web browser, go to [Google Translate](http://translate.google.com), and paste the message—only to return to Instagram to respond. Thankfully, a feature launched in February simplifies this process by enabling users to translate messages right within their DMs.
*”Connecting with friends and family globally has become more convenient. With Instagram’s new message translation feature, you can easily communicate across different languages without the hassle of language barriers,”* [Instagram stated in a press release](https://about.instagram.com/blog/announcements/new-instagram-dm-update-2025). *”Whether you’re catching up with relatives in Korea or chatting with your best friend in Spain, you can instantly translate their messages in your DMs, helping you feel close no matter the miles.”*
### How to Translate Messages in Instagram DMs
#### **Total Time:** 1 minute
#### **What You Need:**
– A smartphone
– The Instagram app
#### **Step 1: Press and Hold the Message You Wish to Translate**
Tap and hold the message you want to translate. A menu will pop up with various options, such as “Reply,” “Forward,” “Copy,” “Make AI Image,” “Translate,” “Pin,” “Delete for You,” and “Report.”
#### **Step 2: Select “Translate”**
Upon tapping “Translate,” a pop-up will show up the first time you utilize the feature. It will read, *”Read messages in your preferred language,”* and let you know that *”Text from messages you translate will be shared with Meta to provide translations.”* If you agree, press “OK” to move forward.
#### **Step 3: See the Translated Message**
After translation, the message will be displayed right below the original text. For instance, if a friend sends you the Spanish phrase *”debí tirar más fotos,”* Instagram will show the English translation *”should have taken more pictures”* underneath.
Currently, this feature is exclusively available on the Instagram mobile app for iOS and Android. It hasn’t yet been made available for desktop users.