How to Set Google Translate as the Default App on iPhone

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Key Takeaways:

You can set Google Translate or other apps as the default translator, replacing Apple’s built-in Translate system-wide for more flexibility.
To switch defaults, go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Translation, after installing Google Translate on your iPhone or iPad.
Default app controls now extend to email, browsers, messaging, navigation, and password managers, giving users wider customization options.
The change is driven by EU regulations promoting user choice, which push Apple to allow competition in core iOS features.
Setting Google Translate as default unlocks advanced features, including real-time camera translation, broader language coverage, and offline support.

Apple now allows iPhone users to set third-party apps as defaults for certain functions, and Google Translate can be your go-to translation app. This means you can bypass the built-in Translate app entirely and use Google Translate for all your translation needs.

This post details how to make Google Translate the default app on your iPhone.

Table of Contents

How to Set Google Translate as Your Default Translation App on iPhone or iPad
More Default App Controls
Why This Matters

How to Set Google Translate as Your Default Translation App on iPhone or iPad

Here’s how you can make Google Translate your go-to translator on your iPhone:

Make sure your device is updated to the latest iOS update.
Download or update the Google Translate app from the App Store.
Go to Settings → Apps → Default Apps.
Tap Translation and select Google Translate from the list.

That’s it. Now, when you trigger a translation—like selecting text and choosing “Translate”—your iPhone or iPad will automatically use Google Translate for the job.

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More Default App Controls

Apple continues to open up iOS, especially for users in the European Union. Alongside translation apps, Apple allows users to switch defaults for:

Email apps (e.g., Gmail, Outlook)
Messaging apps (e.g., WhatsApp, Signal)
Calling apps (e.g., WhatsApp, Google Voice)
Web browsers (e.g., Chrome, Firefox)
Password managers (e.g., 1Password, Bitwarden)

And if you’re in the EU, you can also change the default navigation app, allowing for options like Google Maps instead of Apple Maps.

This growing list marks a shift in Apple’s iOS ecosystem—one that embraces user choice, largely driven by EU regulatory pressure.

Why This Matters

While switching translation apps may seem minor, it has big implications for usability and competition.

Google Translate offers more advanced features than Apple’s native app, including:

Real-time camera translation
Extensive language support
Offline translation
Phrasebook and conversation modes

By allowing it as a default, iOS now lets users access these features system-wide, improving the translation experience across Safari, Messages, Notes, and third-party apps.

We’ll keep you updated as more third-party translation apps add support for this new feature.

Will you be switching to Google Translate as your default? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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