---
title: "Auto-translate messages"
---
<PlanAvailability slug="ent-adv" />

From Mattermost v11.5, messages in channels with auto-translation enabled are automatically translated into your preferred language. This enables seamless multilingual collaboration — you can read and respond in your own language while teammates do the same in theirs.

## How auto-translation works

Your system admin must first [enable auto-translation](/administration-guide/manage/admin/autotranslation) for your Mattermost instance. Then, a system admin or channel admin can enable it for individual channels. When autotranslation is enabled in a channel:

- The language of each message is automatically detected.
- Messages are translated into your preferred display language and shown in place of the original text.
- Code blocks, URLs, and @mentions are preserved and not translated.
- Translations happen asynchronously — there may be a brief delay before the translated text appears.
- Messages written in your preferred language are not translated.

## View translated messages

Translated messages display in place of the original text. To view the original untranslated message, select the **translation** icon on the message.

## Set your preferred language

Auto-translation translates messages into your Mattermost display language. To change your display language:

1.  Select the gear icon to open **Settings**.
2.  Select **Display \> Language**.
3.  Choose your preferred language.
4.  Select **Save**.

See the [language](/end-user-guide/preferences/manage-your-display-options#language) documentation for more details.

## Opt out of auto-translation in a channel

You can opt out of auto-translation on a per-channel basis if you prefer to see original messages in a specific channel. To opt out:

1.  Open the channel where you want to disable auto-translation.
2.  Select the channel name at the top to open the channel menu.
3.  Disable the auto-translation option for this channel.

You'll see original, untranslated messages in that channel going forward. You can re-enable auto-translation at any time using the same steps.

## Limitations

- **Direct and group messages**: Your system admin may have restricted auto-translation in direct and group messages. If auto-translation isn't available in a direct or group message, contact your system admin.
- **Short or mixed-language messages**: Very short messages or messages that mix multiple languages may not be reliably detected and translated.
- **Code-only messages**: Messages that contain only code blocks are not translated, as code is preserved in its original form.
- **Translation accuracy**: Translation quality depends on the translation provider configured by your system admin. Some languages or specialized terminology may produce less accurate results.