A new friend from Osaka. Your partner's parents overseas. A client in Tokyo who's more comfortable in Japanese. Speaking different languages shouldn't stop the conversation. Here's how to make it easy, and keep it private.
The usual ways, and their problems
What it looks like
With automatic translation turned on, a message written in Japanese simply shows up in your language. The original is always one tap away.
How to set it up in GSTNet
Translation works in the iPhone and iPad app. It takes less than a minute:
- Open Settings. In GSTNet, go to Settings → Language & Translation.
- Choose your reading language. Under Message Translation Language, pick the language you want to read in. About 20 languages are available, all ones Apple can translate on your device.
- Turn it on. Switch on Automatic Message Translation.
- Start chatting. Incoming messages now appear in your language. The first time you use a language, your iPhone may download Apple's language files.
Good to know: the app's own menus can be shown in English, Persian or Japanese under App Language. That's separate from message translation. The Windows app doesn't translate messages.
Why "on your device" matters
Many translation tools send your text to a server to be translated. GSTNet messages are end-to-end encrypted, and translation happens on your iPhone after the message is decrypted. Your conversation isn't sent to us, or to anyone else, to be translated.
7 tips for chatting across languages
Machine translation is very good, but it works best with clear writing. These habits make a big difference:
- Keep sentences short and simple. One idea per sentence.
- Skip slang and idioms. "Break a leg" or "it's a piece of cake" can come out very strange.
- Write full words. "Tomorrow," not "tmrw." "You," not "u."
- Be specific with times and numbers. "Saturday at 7 PM," not "this weekend sometime."
- Use emojis for tone. A 😊 helps show you're being friendly, not short.
- Check the original if a translation sounds odd. Names and jokes are the most common trouble spots.
- For anything serious, like medical, legal or money matters, confirm with a human translator.
Who it's perfect for
- International couples and their families
- Friends you met while traveling or studying abroad
- People living, working or studying in another country
- Small businesses with overseas clients and suppliers
- Language exchange partners
Questions
Which languages can GSTNet translate?
About 20 languages, the ones Apple can translate on your iPhone or iPad. The full list is shown in Settings → Language & Translation.
Are my messages sent to a translation server?
No. Translation happens on your device after the message is decrypted. Nothing is sent to us to be translated.
Does the other person need GSTNet?
Yes. Both of you use GSTNet and add each other by GST-ID. Each person can choose their own reading language.
Can I see the original message?
Yes. The original text is always one tap away.
Does translation work on Windows?
Not at this time. Message translation is available in the iPhone and iPad app.
Talk to anyone, in any language.
Private chat with on-device translation. No phone number, no credit card.