How to Translate Webex in Real Time: Setup Guide

You're in a Webex call with someone who speaks another language, and you're relying on fumbled typing in chat or missing half the context. Seagull captures your Webex audio directly and displays live translations as a floating subtitle overlay, so you stay present and catch every word.

Install Seagull and Grant System Audio Access

Download Seagull for your operating system (Mac, Windows, or Linux) from the official website and run the installer. Once installed, launch the app and you will see a floating window with language selection and translation controls. Seagull requires permission to capture system audio in order to translate what's happening in your Webex call, so the first setup screen will guide you through granting that access.

On Mac, navigate to System Preferences, find Security and Privacy, select the Microphone tab, and add Seagull to the list of apps allowed to record audio. Windows users will see a UAC prompt during installation to enable audio capture, and Linux users can grant permissions through their system settings or terminal. This one-time permission setup ensures Seagull can hear your entire Webex meeting without requiring any plugin or browser extension.

Select Languages and Position Your Overlay

After permissions are set, open Seagull and choose your source language (the language spoken in your Webex meeting) and your target language (the language you want to read). Seagull supports 60+ languages, so whether your meeting is in Mandarin, Spanish, Portuguese, or any other supported language, the selection menu makes it easy to find and confirm your choice. Take a moment to test the language pair before your meeting starts so you know the translation quality matches your expectations.

The floating subtitle overlay appears on top of your Webex window automatically and repositions itself as you move or resize your meeting. You can drag the overlay to any corner of your screen and adjust its size to avoid blocking speakers' faces or important content. Unlike fullscreen subtitles, Seagull's overlay stays visible during screen shares, camera feeds, and chat interactions, so you never lose the translated text while you work.

Start Your Webex Call and Monitor Translation Flow

Launch your Webex meeting as normal and let the audio flow through Seagull in the background. The app automatically detects speech and begins translating within milliseconds, displaying each sentence or phrase in your target language as it's spoken. You will see translations appear and refresh as the speaker continues, giving you real-time access to what's being said without any lag or manual intervention.

If you're in a two-way conversation where both participants need translation support, use Seagull's Conversation Mode to turn your desktop into a bilateral translator. One participant speaks, Seagull translates to the other language, then the second participant responds, and Seagull translates back. This eliminates the need to hire an interpreter for Webex meetings and keeps the conversation flowing naturally while you focus on the content rather than the language barrier.

How to Get Started