---
title: "Quick Translate"
description: "Select text in an app, press your shortcut, and read its translation in a card beside the selection. Copy it or replace the original text."
canonical: "https://getdroppy.app/docs/droplets/quick-translate"
last-updated: "2026-11-02"
---

# Quick Translate

Translate the text you select

Quick Translate brings translation to the text you are already reading or writing. Choose your target language and a second language for text already in it. Supported language pairs translate on this Mac with Apple Translation on macOS 15 or later.

## What it does

- Translate selected text with your own shortcut
- Copy the translation or replace editable selected text
- Choose a target language and a second language
- Optional translation button beside selected text
- On-device Apple Translation for supported language pairs on macOS 15 or later

## How to use it

1. Enable **Quick Translate** in the Droplet Store, then open its settings. Allow Accessibility so Droppy can read selected text.
2. Record a shortcut on the Shortcuts page. Choose the language to translate into and a second language for text already in your target language.
3. Select text in an app and press your shortcut. Read the translation in the card beside the selection.
4. Choose **Copy** to copy the translation, or **Replace** to put it into an editable selection. When the original selection cannot safely be replaced, Droppy copies the translation instead.

## Where it shows up

- Global shortcut

The translation appears in a floating card beside the text you selected. An optional translate button appears next to selections.

## Workflows

Read a message in another language

Select the message, press your Quick Translate shortcut, and read the result without changing apps.

Write in a second language

Select your draft in an editable text field, translate it, and choose Replace after reviewing the result.

## Tips

- Enable **Translate button next to selections** if you prefer clicking a button beside selected text instead of using a shortcut.
- Apple Translation runs on this Mac for supported language pairs on macOS 15 and later. Language files may download the first time.
- If AI is enabled in Thunderstorm, language pairs this Mac cannot translate can use your configured AI model. Quick Translate does not require the Thunderstorm launcher to be enabled.
- Password fields and secure input are excluded. If a selection is too long, select a shorter passage and translate it again.

Allow Accessibility so Quick Translate can read selected text. Languages download the first time.

If AI is enabled in Thunderstorm, language pairs this Mac cannot translate can use your configured AI model. Quick Translate works independently of the Thunderstorm launcher.

## Getting it

- **Category**: Productivity
- **Setup**: Enable Quick Translate, allow Accessibility, then record a shortcut and choose your languages.
- **Where to turn it on**: Settings, Droplet Store, or [open it in Droppy](droppy://extension/quickTranslate) if the app is installed.