Apple's New Translation API Opens Doors for iOS App Developers

As a developer trying to make your app accessible to users around the globe, the language barrier constantly having you in a chokehold, and unreliable third-party translation tools, can be frustrating. Well, Apple’s recent introduction of its Translation API with iOS 17.4 could be the answer you’ve been praying for.

Highlighted in one of the WWDC 2024 sessions, Apple new Translation API with iOS 17.4 allows third-party apps to utilize Apple’s on-device machine learning models for translation without needing third-party services. With this, as a developer, you are now offered translation features that work offline and share models with Apple Translate, optimizing storage and performance.

Apple Translate has been part of the iOS ecosystem since iOS 14, supporting 11 languages initially and expanding to 18 languages by iOS 16. The Translation API simplifies translating text across multiple languages, right within the app by letting you quickly display translations in the app’s UI and even handle larger text batches.

Looking ahead, iOS 18 promises even more advanced features. You can look forward to capabilities such as translating single strings or multiple batches of text and displaying results anywhere within the app’s interface. Currently in developer preview, iOS 18 is set to enter public beta soon, with an official release slated for this fall.

As we anticipate the full rollout of iOS 18, the future of app development looks more connected and universally accessible than ever before.