A system-wide macOS utility for instant Google Translate access. Highlight text anywhere, press a hotkey, and get a floating translation window immediately.
If you find this tool useful, please consider sponsoring the development!
- Instant Translation: Highlight text in any app (Safari, Chrome, VS Code, Notes, etc.) and translate it instantly.
- System-Wide Hotkey: Trigger the translation from anywhere on your Mac.
- Floating Window: A premium, resizable floating panel centered on your screen that stays above other windows.
- Auto-Detection: Automatically detects the source language.
- Language Persistence: Remembers your target language and saves changes automatically.
- Native & Fast: Built with Swift and Carbon for ultra-low latency and minimal resource usage.
- Privacy-Friendly: Runs entirely on your machine; only sends the selected text to Google Translate when you trigger it.
| Menu Bar Settings | Translation Window |
|---|---|
 |
 |
- Download: Go to the Releases page and download
GGGoogleTranslate_v1.0.0.dmg. - Install: Open the
.dmgfile and dragGGGoogleTranslateinto the/Applicationsfolder alias. - Launch: Open the app from your Applications folder. You will see a globe icon in your menu bar.
- Permissions:
- The first time you use the hotkey, macOS will ask for Accessibility Permissions.
- This is required so the app can simulate a "Copy" command to grab your highlighted text.
- Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility and enable GGGoogleTranslate.
Important
Security Note (First Launch) Because this app is independently developed and not notarized by Apple, you might see a warning that Apple "could not verify it for malware." To open it:
- Right-click (or Control-click) the app in your Applications folder and select Open.
- In the dialog that appears, click Open again.
- This will register the app as safe, and it will launch normally from then on.
Tip
Still can't open? If macOS is still being stubborn, you can manually allow it by running this one command in your Terminal:
xattr -cr /Applications/GGGoogleTranslate.app- Highlight text in any application.
- Press the Hotkey: The default is
⌘ + Option + G.- Note: If this conflict with your applications, change it in the settings!
- The Window Pops Up: Your translation appears instantly.
- Dismiss: Press
Escor click anywhere outside to hide the translator. - Change Settings:
- Click the globe icon in the menu bar.
- Change Target Language: Select from the dropdown.
- Change Hotkey: Click "Change Hotkey" and press your desired combination.
- Launch at Login: Toggle this to have the app start automatically.
If you want to build the app yourself:
- Clone the repository:
git clone https://github.com/Genghot/GGGoogleTranslate.git cd GGGoogleTranslate - Run the build script:
bash build.sh
- The compiled app will be in
./build/GGGoogleTranslate.app.
MIT License. See LICENSE for details.