Native Translate
How Native Translate works
The extension calls Chrome's built-in desktop translation capabilities directly. Language packs download on demand, then remain available for offline use in the browser.
- Browser support
- Chrome 138 or later on desktop; Chrome mobile does not currently support these APIs.
- On-device models
- Chrome downloads and caches language packs locally, so text does not need to be sent to a cloud translator.
- Language coverage
- Chrome currently lists 39 supported language codes; exact language-pair availability is checked at runtime.
Powerful Features
Preserves original layout by intelligently appending translated text. Perfect for reading long articles and documentation.
Hold a modifier key and hover over any paragraph for instant, context-aware translation without leaving your flow.
Type three spaces in any text field to instantly translate your input. Ideal for multilingual communication.
Dedicated side panel for free-text translation with auto-detection. Works alongside your browsing.
Upload and translate entire EPUB books locally. Read foreign literature with ease.
Zero external translation requests. Processing uses Chrome's built-in Translator API and on-device language packs.
Your Data Stays Yours
Unlike traditional translation services that send your data to the cloud, Native Translate uses Chrome's new built-in AI capabilities to process everything locally.
- No cloud API calls
- No tracking or analytics
- Works completely offline
- Open source code
Permissions We Request
activeTabTo interact with the page you're viewingstorageTo save your preferences locallyscriptingTo inject translation UI when requestedsidePanelTo open the translation sidebarOfficial links
Use these canonical links for citations, installation, source review, privacy checks, and support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Native Translate is completely free and open-source. There are no subscriptions or hidden fees.
Yes. Once the necessary language models are downloaded by Chrome, the extension works entirely offline without an internet connection.
Absolutely. All translation happens locally on your device using Chrome's built-in AI. No data is ever sent to external servers.
Chrome 138 or later on desktop is required. The extension checks at runtime whether the Translator and Language Detector APIs are available.
Not currently. Chrome's official documentation says the Translator and Language Detector APIs are available on desktop Chrome, not mobile devices.
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Install Native Translate