BabelBotHow to translate Discord messages on mobile
To translate new Discord messages automatically on iPhone or Android, ask a server admin to add BabelBot and turn on translation for the language you need. You cannot turn this on only for your own account. Once it is set up, eligible new messages appear as translated replies or in threads. If the server cannot enable it, install BabelBot for your own account and use Apps > Translate Text to privately translate one message at a time.
- An admin adds BabelBot
The bot is installed in the server, not on each member's phone.
- Translation is turned on
The admin chooses the languages members need to read.
- Members read in Discord
Translations appear in the channel on Android and iPhone.
Set up automatic translation for a server
If you have Manage Server permission, add BabelBot to the server and open guided setup in your phone's browser. Choose at least one target language, choose replies or threads, and select Save and test. Send a new test message in a different language from the target. BabelBot posts the result in Discord, where members can read it in the mobile app.
Members do not need to install BabelBot for their own accounts to read these translations. A personal install alone cannot translate every new server message. If you are a member, you can ask: 'Could you enable BabelBot to translate new messages into my language in this channel?'
Find the translation on your phone
With Reply in channel, the translation appears as a new reply in the channel timeline, linked to the original message. With Reply in threads, open the thread attached to the original message. The admin chooses the delivery method for the server or channel; a member cannot switch it only for their own phone.
Translate Text is different. Its result is private to the person who requested it, so other members will not see that translation in the channel.
Translate one message when you do not manage the server
Install BabelBot for your Discord account. In the Discord mobile app, open the message's actions and choose Apps > Translate Text. BabelBot sends a private translation that only you can see.
Translate Text uses your saved context language, or your Discord language setting when available. Run /set-context-language in Discord if you want to choose another language. You can use this personal action in DMs and servers where BabelBot is not installed. It does not turn on automatic translation for other members.
If you do not see a translation
For automatic translation, ask the admin to check that BabelBot is installed in the server, translation is on, the target language is set, and the channel allows the bot to read and post messages. Test with an ordinary sentence in a different language from the target. Automatic translation works on new messages, not older chat history.
If Apps > Translate Text is missing, check that you installed BabelBot for your own Discord account. The message action translates one message and needs available AI usage.
Common questions
Can I automatically translate every message only for myself on mobile?
BabelBot's automatic translation is set up by a server admin and appears in the server channel. You can install BabelBot for your own account to privately translate individual messages with Apps > Translate Text, but that action does not automatically translate the whole chat.
Can I translate a Discord DM on my phone?
Yes. Install BabelBot for your Discord account, then use Apps > Translate Text on a message in the DM. Automatic server translation does not run in DMs.
Do I need to change my Discord app language?
No. An admin chooses the target languages for automatic server translation. For your own Translate Text requests, BabelBot uses your saved context language or your Discord language when available. Use /set-context-language to choose a different language.