More messengers now offer some kind of translation. They are not all the same. If you talk to people in other languages regularly, these are the questions worth asking before you move your conversations to a new app.
1. Is translation part of the conversation?
The key difference is whether you can stay in the chat. If you still have to copy text into another app, you are using a translator, not a translating messenger. The best experience is that you write in your language and the other person reads in theirs, automatically.
2. Does it cover voice messages and calls?
Text is only part of how people communicate. Check whether voice messages are transcribed and translated, and whether calls offer live subtitles. Without these, you will switch tools as soon as someone sends a voice note.
3. Are your languages supported?
Look at the real list of supported languages, not just the headline number, and test with the specific languages you need. Quality can vary between language pairs.
4. Can you see what was said?
AI translation can make mistakes. A good product makes it easy to check, for example by showing a transcript next to a voice message. Treat translations of names, dates, amounts and instructions with extra care.
5. What control do you have over your data?
Read the privacy policy. Look for clear information on what is collected, how AI features use content, and how you can delete your account. A product that explains these things plainly is easier to trust.
6. Are there safety tools?
When anyone can message you across borders, you need ways to protect yourself: blocking, reporting, privacy settings that control who can find you, and clear community rules and age requirements.
7. Is it available where you are, and what does it cost?
Check that there is an app for your phone and whether the features you need are free or paid.
Where AICO fits
AICO is built around these points. It translates text messages, voice messages (with a transcript next to them) and calls (with subtitles in your language) inside the conversation. It also includes block and report in two taps, privacy settings for who can find you, in-app account deletion and an 18+ age requirement. It runs on iPhone, iPad and Android and is free to download. AICO is new, so check the install page for current availability in your country, and see the FAQ for details.
Judge it yourself: message someone you used to talk to through a translator.
Download AICO