If you’re the type of Apple fan who dives into Settings just for fun, iOS 18.4 has a little gem you probably didn’t realize you’ve been waiting for: the ability to choose your default translation app. Yes, really.
Until now, every time you used Siri to translate something or tapped “Translate” on selected text, you were locked into Apple’s built-in Translate app. It’s fine, functional, and clean.
But if you’re like a lot of us, you’ve long preferred Google Translate for its accuracy, language support, and that handy camera translation feature. Now, you can actually make it your go-to.
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Here’s how to switch to Google Translate as the default translation app on your iPhone:
- Go to the Settings app.
- Select Apps.
- At the top, select Default Apps.
- Then, select Translation, and you can set Google Translate (or any other compatible app) as your default.
It works just like how you can already switch out Safari or Mail for third-party apps.
This change marks a pretty major shift. For years, Apple kept core system functions locked to its own apps.
Then, under growing pressure from regulators, especially in the EU, it started loosening the reins.
What began with browsers and email has now expanded to categories like navigation, music playback, and translation.
What makes this moment special is that it’s not just about regulation. Apple didn’t limit this feature to Europe; it rolled it out globally. That’s a win for everyone, whether you’re in Paris, New York, or Tokyo.
And let’s be honest: little changes like this are what keep iOS fresh. They make your iPhone feel more like your iPhone, not just Apple’s idea of what your iPhone should be.
So if you’ve been bouncing between Apple Translate and Google Translate for years, now’s your chance to settle down and pick a favorite.
