Google’s Translate app for Android lets you translate text or spoken words in dozens of languages. Up until recently you’ve needed an internet connection to do that, but the latest version of Google Translate adds support for offline language packs.

That means you can use your phone or tablet to help navigate a foreign country even if you don’t have a wireless signal.

Google Translate offline

Google Translate is available as a free download from the Play Store. Offline language support should work with most devices running Android 2.3 or later.

You’ll need to download a language package to your device before you can use it, and the word list you download won’t be quite as large as what’s available online.

But there are more than 50 language pairs to choose from, and the ability to translate at least some words on the go is better than watching your phone turn into a useless lump of plastic and metal when you go off the grid.

 

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5 replies on “Google Translate for Android now works without an internet connection”

  1. I think this is really cool. It is great for not only when one travels to other countries but also when those from other countries travel here. Not relying on an internet connection means I can use it on my wifi only tablet computer. I will definitely be checking it out.

  2. When is this feature going to come to navigation? I know you can download the maps but in very limited sections and there is no POI data…

    1. Yeah, this is one area where Nokia map app is way ahead… allowing downloads of street-level maps for entire countries… entire US only takes up 1.8GB… and includes POI… also the service covers over 110 countries…

      Fortunately, there are iOS and Android versions of the app and not just for Nokia phones with WP OS… called Nokia Here Maps… though I believe it still lacks turn-by-turn navigation and only has step-by-step type walking instructions for now for the Android/iOS versions.

      Probably, because Google wants to push the cloud so much, it may still be awhile before they allow a proper increase in that functionality for Maps…

  4. Hopefully the “database” can be moved to SD Card. Some Samsung and other Android devices block moving apps to SD (I assume to avoid performance complaints by naive users). Sounds darned useful though!

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