Understanding the Removal of Yandex Translate in Loco Translate

If you recently updated the Loco Translate plugin and found that the Yandex Translate API integration is missing, you're not alone. This change, introduced in version 2.6.0, has been a point of confusion for many users. This article explains why this feature was removed and what your options are for moving forward.

What Happened to Yandex Translate?

The Yandex translation API was permanently removed from the Loco Translate plugin starting with version 2.6.0. This was a deliberate decision by the Loco Translate team and not a bug or a temporary outage.

Why Was It Removed?

According to the plugin's author, the removal is a principled stance. While Yandex is not currently the target of broad international sanctions, it has been banned in Ukraine for several years. The author stated they did not wish to have any association with Yandex or be responsible for generating any revenue for the company through the use of their plugin.

What Are Your Options for Translation Now?

If you rely on automatic translations, you have several paths available:

• Stay on Version 2.5.8: You can choose not to update the plugin. Version 2.5.8 will continue to function with the Yandex API integration intact, and you will not lose any existing functionality.
• Use an Alternative Built-in API: Loco Translate still integrates with four other translation providers: Google Translate, Microsoft Translator, Lecto AI, and IBM Watson Language Translator. All of these services support Ukrainian and many other languages.
• Use a Third-Party Add-on: Some developers have created separate plugins that aim to restore Yandex functionality. Please be aware that these are independent projects and are not affiliated with or supported by the official Loco Translate team.
• Create a Custom Integration: For developers, the Loco Translate plugin provides a way to write and integrate your own custom translation API. This would allow you to integrate any service, including a different Yandex API endpoint if needed.

A Note on Regional API Differences

Some users, particularly those in Russia, have reported that the international Yandex API differs from the one available to them locally. The Loco Translate team has indicated that they are unable to test or support regional API variations that are not accessible to them as an international user. This limitation was another factor in the decision to remove the integration entirely.

Conclusion

The removal of the Yandex API from Loco Translate was a permanent and intentional change. While this may disrupt some workflows, the plugin continues to offer multiple other translation providers. Your best options are to either revert to a previous version of the plugin or configure one of the other supported APIs for your translation needs.