
Quick Summary
Google has updated its Translate app on Android to have a neat two-screen feature for folding phones.
Right now it's limited to a couple of phones, but it could roll out further.
Google has quietly updated its Translate app with a nifty new feature making it easier than ever to hold a two-way conversation between languages, if you're lucky enough to have a folding phone.
Now, rather than having to hold your phone out flat between both speakers, you'll be able to hold it up so that each person can see a screen in front of them, translating what the other is saying.
It's a nice and obvious way to use the inner and outer displays of a folding phone, and the update seems to be live in the latest version of the Translate app on Android 14. However, because it relies on an Android API that not every folding phone uses, it won't work with every handset on the market right now.
For now, it's only functional on the Google Pixel Fold or any Samsung folding phone running Android 14, such as the Galaxy Z Fold 6 – but it's still a great feature for those phones.
Here's how to use it if you tick those boxes:
- Open your folding phone
- Start the Google Translate app
- Tap on Conversation
- Tap on the dual-chat button at the top-right of your display
- Now tap on the folding phone icon in the middle-right of your display
- Once the app confirms that "Dual screen is on", check it's working
This should allow you to hold the phone up between you and the other party in your conversation and have them look at the outer display while you look at the inner one.
It's also a step nearer to the future we've been promised for a long while now, where our phones can be meaningful and impactful tools for communication in person as well as just for interacting with the web and apps.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Time will tell whether some of the other folding phone makers like OnePlus or Motorola get on board with Google's API to allow this feature to work on their hardware, or whether they instead opt for their own in-house solutions to replace it.
Max is T3's Staff Writer for the Tech section – with years of experience reporting on tech and entertainment. He's also a gaming expert, both with the games themselves and in testing accessories and consoles, having previously flexed that expertise at Pocket-lint as a features editor.
-
Spielberg classic to return in sequel – over 40 years after landmark original
Yes, The Goonies is set to return for a sequel
By Mike Lowe Published
-
Potensic ATOM 2 4K drone is light, AI smart, and flies longer than the DJI Neo
The Potensic ATOM 2 has potential – but how does it stack up against the juggernaut that is DJI?
By Matt Kollat Published
-
Google TV Streamer gets its first big update of the year, but it's not all good news
Especially not if you're an audiophile
By Britta O'Boyle Published
-
You can now use a Samsung Galaxy SmartTag with any Android phone, but there's a catch
There's a clever way to get your Galaxy Tag working on other Android phones
By Chris Hall Published
-
Here's when Android 16 will be officially detailed – Google I/O 25 date revealed
We're soon going to know a lot more about Google's plans as I/O 2025 is announced
By Chris Hall Published
-
Google Pixel 9a price leak confirms what we all feared
Google's affordable Pixel 9a might not be as affordable as we hoped
By Chris Hall Published
-
Google Pixel 9a reportedly coming with a stack of freebies
Google’s new Pixel 9a could come with a few somethings to sweeten the deal
By Chris Hall Published
-
Google Pixel 9a could be imminent as documents found online
This would make the device's launch two months early
By Britta O'Boyle Published
-
Your affordable Samsung TV could be getting a massive feature update anytime now
Samsung's premium TVs aren't the only ones getting extra smarts
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
One major Samsung Galaxy S25 upgrade could make all phones better going forward
It's just not clear when rival handsets might get it
By Britta O'Boyle Published