Using Buffer in another language

If English isn't your first language, you can now use your browser's built-in translation feature to view Buffer's web app in your preferred language. This article explains how to turn on browser translation, what translates, and what we intentionally leave in its original language so your content doesn't get mixed up.

📝 On mobile? See Using the Buffer mobile app in another language for language options in the Buffer mobile app.

In this article:

  1. What is browser translation in Buffer?
  2. Why use browser translation?
  3. How to turn on browser translation
  4. What stays in the original language
  5. Where this works
  6. Good to know
  7. FAQ

What is browser translation in Buffer?

Buffer doesn't have a built-in language picker. Instead, Buffer's interface, menus, buttons, labels, tab names, page copy, and tooltips, now translates automatically when you turn on your browser's translation feature, whether that's Chrome's built-in translator, Google Translate, or a similar tool in Safari, Firefox, or Edge.

Why use browser translation?

  • Navigate Buffer in your preferred language. You don't need to know English to find your way around Publish, Calendar, Community, Insights, Ideas, Tags, or Settings.
  • Work faster and with more confidence. Menus and buttons translate, so you're not guessing what a label means.
  • Your content stays untouched. Buffer intentionally leaves your channel names, tags, and post content in their original language, so nothing you publish gets garbled by translation.

How to turn on browser translation

Buffer relies entirely on your browser's translation feature. Turning it on for buffer.com works the same way you'd translate any other website.

Chrome

  1. Open buffer.com and log in.
  2. If Chrome doesn't prompt you automatically, click the Translate icon in the address bar.
  3. Choose the language you want to translate into.

💡 Tip: You can set Chrome to always translate pages in a given language under Settings > Languages > Google Translate.

Safari

  1. Open buffer.com and log in.
  2. Click the Translate icon in the Safari address bar (visible when Safari detects a non-native-language page).
  3. Choose your preferred language from the menu.

Firefox

  1. Open buffer.com and log in.
  2. Click the Translate icon in the address bar, or open Firefox Translations from the page options menu.
  3. Select the language you want to translate into.

Edge

  1. Open buffer.com and log in.
  2. Click the Translate icon in the address bar.
  3. Choose your preferred language.

What stays in the original language

To make sure nothing you publish or share gets corrupted, Buffer intentionally keeps the following untranslated:

  • Channel names
  • Organization and account names
  • Tags you've created
  • The text of your posts, drafts, comments, and replies
  • AI-generated output (for example, Takeaway cards), since this is content you may go on to publish

Where this works

Browser translation currently works across the web version of Publish, Calendar, Composer and previews, Community, Insights, Ideas, Tags, and Settings.

⚠️ Note: The ability to translate buffer.com is a web-only feature. The Buffer mobile apps aren't affected by this change, translation there works differently. See Using the Buffer mobile app in another language for details.

Good to knows

📝 Good to Knows:

  • In rare cases, a small number of dialog sentences may translate a channel name mid-sentence. This is a known edge case and doesn't affect your saved channel name.
  • If translation causes any layout issue on the page, refresh the page or turn browser translation off for buffer.com in your browser settings.
  • Buffer doesn't offer an in-app language picker. All translation is handled by your browser.

FAQ

Why isn't my post text translating?

Buffer intentionally keeps post, draft, comment, and reply text in its original language so what you actually publish doesn't get altered by translation.

Does this work on the Buffer mobile app?

No. This is a web-only feature. See Using the Buffer mobile app in another language for mobile language options.

Why did my channel name partially translate in a dialog?

This is a known edge case affecting a small number of dialog sentences. It's a display quirk only, your actual channel name isn't changed.

Which browsers support this?

Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge are all confirmed to work well with Buffer.

📝 Need help with browser translation in Buffer? Send us an email at hello@buffer.com and our Advocacy team will be standing by to assist!

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