Prepare offline languages in Google Translate

Before you begin

Internet access may be unavailable while travelling. Download the languages you need before departure and test them on the device you will carry. Not every language offers a download, so check availability before relying on it during the trip.

Check the source and target languages before using a translation. Short text without context can have several meanings, while names, addresses and technical terms may not need translating. Use a complete sentence where possible. Compare numbers and units with the original, and seek clarification when the result will guide an important action or could easily cause a misunderstanding.

Follow these steps

Follow this sequence in the Android app.

1. Connect the phone to Wi-Fi and open Translate. Select the intended language and look for its download icon. Without that icon, the language is not available to download.
2. Tap Download and confirm the offered language package. Wait for completion and check its downloaded indicator before moving to a limited connection or temporarily switching connectivity off.
3. Disconnect briefly and translate a simple sentence using the prepared language pair. Inspect the result that is actually available rather than only checking that the application still opens.
4. Open Downloaded languages to review package updates. If mobile allowance matters, set data usage to ask before downloading over the mobile network instead of allowing unexpected transfers.

Check the result

A downloaded language does not make every online feature available without internet. Test the real task, including camera use if needed, before departure. Remove an unused package only after confirming that the languages needed for the next part of the trip remain available.