How to use the Interpreter app on a Samsung Galaxy S26 (One UI 9)

howtosimply.com/guides/how-to-use-the-interpreter-app-on-a-samsung-galaxy-s26/ · Checked October 2026 · Samsung Galaxy S26 (SM-S942N, Korean model), One UI 9, Android 17

11 of 11 steps with real screenshots · 1 official source below

Device

Android

Shown on

Samsung Galaxy S26 (SM-S942N, Korean model), One UI 9, Android 17

Starts in

Quick Settings

Real screenshots

11 of 11 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Tap Interpreter in the quick panel

   Swipe down from the top right. Ours already had an Interpreter button in the fourth row. If yours doesn't, add it with the pencil.

   Done

2. 

   Tap Continue

   The first time, Interpreter uses these permissions lists Microphone as required, and Nearby devices and Notifications as optional. It says you can still use the basic functions without the optional ones. Tap Continue.

   Done

3. 

   Allow the microphone

   When Android asks Allow Interpreter to record audio?, tap While using the app.

   Done

4. 

   Allow nearby devices, if you like

   Next it asks to find and connect to nearby devices, which is for Bluetooth earbuds. Tap Allow or Don't allow. We tapped Allow; Don't allow is fine if you don't use earbuds.

   Done

5. 

   Pick the two languages

   The two languages sit at the top; tap either one to change it, and the arrows swap them. Ours were English and Korean. Then tap the mic button at the bottom to talk, or tap the empty area to type.

   Done

6. 

   Or type instead

   Tap the empty area to type: an Enter text box opens with Clear and Translate. We typed Where is the station? and tapped Translate.

   Done

7. 

   Read the translation, then open More options

   Your text and the translation appear in the conversation; ours showed 역이 어디인가요? in Korean, with a play button to hear it. To change how the mic and voice behave, tap the three dots at the top right.

   Done

8. 

   Choose how the mic and voice behave

   More options sets Keep mic on or Turn on mic manually, and Read translation aloud or Don't read translation aloud. Ours had Keep mic on and Don't read translation aloud.

   Done

9. 

   Open History

   Tap the three lines at the top left. The menu lists Conversation mode, Listening mode and History. Tap History.

   Done

10. 

    Find earlier translations

    History has Conversation mode and Listening mode tabs. Ours listed the phrase under Today, and the page says translations are deleted after 24 hours.

    Done

11. 

    Check the language packs

    Touch and hold the Interpreter button in the quick panel to open Interpreter settings. It shows Language packs for translation; ours had English (United States) and Korean. Auto record when mic is on and Show Interpreter on Apps screen were both off.

    Done

If you do not see this option

• Not sure which button it is? The quick panel buttons on our S26 have no names. Touch and hold the button: it opens a page called Interpreter settings.

  

• No Interpreter button? Swipe down, tap the pencil and add it from the list of buttons. Or open Settings, Galaxy AI, Interpreter; Samsung's Interpreter page covers Galaxy AI phones. Source: How to set up and use the Interpreter app on Galaxy devices

  

If this does not work

• Earlier translation gone? Samsung says recent translations are discarded after 24 hours, and our History page says the same. On our S26 they are in History, in the three-line menu at the top left; the three-dot menu has only mic and voice options. Source: How to set up and use the Interpreter app on Galaxy devices
• Nothing happens when you speak? Check that the Microphone permission was allowed: Interpreter settings, Permissions.

About this guide

Interpreter translates a conversation with someone in front of you, out loud and on screen. Samsung says the bottom half of the screen is yours and the top half is for the person you're speaking to.

The screenshots are from our Samsung Galaxy S26, the Korean model SM-S942N, with One UI 9 and Android 17, in Dark mode. Menus can differ on models sold in other regions. We opened Interpreter for the first time, allowed its permissions, looked at every menu and translated one typed phrase; nothing was played aloud.

Good to know

Keep Galaxy AI processing on the phone: how to make Galaxy AI process data only on your Galaxy.

In short: Quick panel, Interpreter, Continue, allow the mic, pick languages, tap the mic or type. Three dots: mic and voice options. Three lines, History: translations for 24 hours.

📷 See real photos from the Galaxy S26 in our Camera Lab, next to 10 other phones.