In a coding video from WWDC 2024 last week, Apple showcased a new API that enables developers to integrate the Translate app’s features into their own apps on iOS 17.4, iPadOS 17.4, macOS Sonoma, and later.
Credits: Apple
While iPhones, iPads, and Macs already feature system-level translation for highlighted text, Safari websites, and more, the API offers a convenient solution for translating user-generated content like reviews. For instance, a review written in Japanese can be swiftly translated into other languages.
In iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia, the API is enhanced to allow translated text to appear in-line within an app, rather than in an overlaid Translate sheet.
Another language-related update in iOS 18 is bilingual keyboard support. For instance, you can type in English and Korean on the same keyboard without manually switching languages, and you’ll receive word suggestions in both languages.
iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia are currently in beta for developers and are scheduled for release later this year.