If you’ve missed the full-screen translation feature in Google Translate, you might be in luck. Google could soon bring it back to the Android app. This feature was especially popular with travelers and people with vision impairment, but it was removed a while ago, leaving many users searching for alternatives.
The old full-screen mode used to show translated text in large white letters on a blue background, without any distractions from the original text. It was great for real-life situations, such as showing a taxi driver an address from far away or talking in a noisy restaurant. Unfortunately, there’s no official word from Google about its return, as per a response to a user’s query on the Google Translate Help forum.
As spotted by Android Authority, the new version found in Google Translate app version 9.21.36.816661266.2 works a bit differently. It still displays the translated text in a large font that fills the screen, but now it looks more like a full-screen view of the usual translation interface instead of a separate mode. This update is similar to what’s already on the iOS app.
Perfect for face-to-face chats and on-the-go translations
This is a small but useful change, especially during face-to-face conversations when showing your phone can feel awkward. The big, clear display makes it easy to show someone across the table or even across the room what you mean.
The new full-screen option is coming along with other updates to the Translate app’s AI features. Google is testing a change where the “Ask a Follow-up” button is replaced by two options: “Understand” and “Ask.” The “Understand” button gives you more context about the translation, while the “Ask” button lets you ask follow-up questions or request clarifications.
These changes fit with Google’s goal to make its translation tools more interactive and transparent. For now, these features are still being tested, and there’s no word yet on when or if they’ll be available to everyone.
