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How to Use Apple Translate App on iPhone and iPad: The Translate app was one of the new features that were introduced with iOS 14 by Apple. The app supports a total of 11 different languages and provides translation in a side-by-side format. The app is easy to use once you get the hang of it. On the other hand, it has some additional concealed features that can be used to make it even more useful. The addition of a Translate app into iOS 14 was Apple’s way of making everyone’s lives a little bit simpler.
This removes the requirement for using an app developed by a third party, although one could make the case that some app developers have created superior alternatives to Apple’s native app. But if you don’t want the hassle of downloading anything else, the Translate app that comes included with Apple devices is, all things considered, pretty good. Initially, the Translate app was only available on the best iPhone, but with the release of iPadOS 15, the app became available on your preferred iPad as well. Additionally, iOS 16 introduces a brand new feature that enables you to translate text and images in real time while capturing them with the camera on your device.
When traveling to a foreign country where the locals speak a language that you do not understand, translation apps can come in very handy. This is especially true if you are not fluent in that language. In this piece, we will walk you through the steps necessary to use the Translate app on your iPhone or iPad. We’ll go over most of the features, including how to Use Apple Translate App on iPhone and iPad, download languages for use even when you don’t have an internet connection, and save your favorite translations for later use.
What is the Apple Translate app?
As was mentioned earlier, the Apple Translate app was added to the iPad with the release of iPadOS 15, despite the fact that it was initially made available for the iPhone with the release of iOS 14. The application received enhancements with the release of iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 this year. Among these are the support for an increased number of languages and the capability to translate text by using the camera on the device.
For those who aren’t familiar, the app functions in a manner that is fairly comparable to that of competing apps like Google Translate. Users are able to type text in one language, and then immediately have that text translated into another language. Apple Translate also has a feature called “Conversation” that can detect and translate a conversation into two languages using the device’s microphone. This feature can be found in Apple Translate. But for now, let’s concentrate on the newly added capability of translating with the camera.
How to Use Apple Translate App on iPhone and iPad

To use the Apple Translate app on iPhone and iPad, follow these steps:
- Open the Translate app.
- Select the languages you want to translate between.
- Type or speak the text you want to translate.
- The translation will appear in the text box below.
- To hear the translation spoken aloud, tap the speaker icon.
You can also use the Apple Translate app to translate conversations. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open the Translate app.
- Tap the Conversation tab.
- Select the languages you want to translate between.
- Tap the microphone icon and start speaking.
- The translation will appear in the text box below.
- The other person can then speak their response, and the translation will appear in the text box again.
The Apple Translate app also supports translation from images. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open the Translate app.
- Tap the Camera tab.
- Point your camera at the text you want to translate.
- Tap the Translate button.
- The translation will appear over the text in the image.
- You can also save translations for later use. To do this, tap the star icon next to the translation. The translation will be saved to the Favorites tab.
Why use the Apple Translate app?
- Multilingual Communication: It allows users to communicate with people who speak different languages, which can be immensely helpful when traveling, in multicultural settings, or when interacting with non-native speakers.
- Convenience: The app provides an easy and convenient way to translate text or speech, making it handy for quick translations, such as deciphering signs or menus in foreign countries.
- Offline Mode: It offers an offline mode for downloaded languages, so you can use it without an internet connection, which is beneficial when you’re in areas with limited or no network connectivity.
- Real-Time Conversation Mode: The app can facilitate real-time conversations between two people speaking different languages. It’s a useful feature for having more in-depth and interactive conversations.
- Voice Recognition: Apple Translate can recognize spoken language, making it useful for translating spoken words or phrases. This can be helpful when you need to understand or communicate verbally in a foreign language.
- Text Translation: In addition to speech, it can also translate written text, which is useful for translating written documents, signs, or typed messages.
Comparing Apple Translate with Other Translation Apps
Feature | Apple Translate | Google Translate | Microsoft Translator | DeepL Translator |
---|---|---|---|---|
Supported Platforms | iOS, iPadOS | iOS, Android | iOS, Android, Web | iOS, Android |
Offline Translation | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Voice Translation | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Text Translation | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Conversation Mode | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Phrasebook | No | No | No | Yes |
Pronunciation Help | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Supported Languages | Over 90 | 100+ | 60+ | 26 |
Privacy and Data Security in Apple Translate
- On-Device Processing: Apple Translate primarily operates on the user’s device, ensuring that translation requests do not leave the device. This means that translations are performed locally, and sensitive data is not sent to external servers for processing. This approach enhances privacy by minimizing the exposure of user data to third parties.
- Privacy Labels: Apple provides clear and detailed privacy labels for its apps, including Apple Translate, in the App Store. Users can review these labels to understand the types of data the app may collect and how that data is used.
- No Apple ID Required: You can use Apple Translate without signing in with your Apple ID. This helps maintain a degree of anonymity and prevents the association of translation activities with a specific user account.
- User Consent: Apple ensures that users explicitly grant permission for the app to access the device’s microphone and speech recognition capabilities. This helps protect against unauthorized audio recording.
- Data Minimization: Apple Translate collects and uses the minimum amount of data necessary for translation. This focus on data minimization aligns with Apple’s commitment to user privacy.
- Offline Mode: Apple Translate offers an offline mode that allows you to download specific language packs for translation. This enables translation without an internet connection and further enhances user privacy by keeping data on the device.
Questions and Answers
Text can be translated on the iPad in a variety of apps, including Camera, Photos, Safari, Messages, and Mail, as well as supported third-party apps. Please take note that translation is offered for the supported languages. Check out the website for iOS and iPadOS Features That Are Available.
Check for app updates and ensure that you have the most recent version installed before using the Translate app. You should restart your iPhone now. Conduct a search for available updates to the device’s operating system, and then apply any updates that are found. If the problem continues after you delete and reinstall the Translate app from the App Store, the problem might be fixed.
You are able to translate text, voice, and conversations into any of the languages that are supported within the Translate app. Additionally, it is possible to download languages to translate entirely on a device, even when there is no connection to the internet. Please take note that translation is offered for the supported languages. Check out the website for iOS and iPadOS Features That Are Available.
Google Translate is currently in its 15th year of operation and can be accessed via the web, an extension for the Chrome browser, as well as apps for both Android and iOS. Apple first introduced its Translate app for the iPhone in 2012, and it was included in the iOS 15 update for the iPad that was released just last month.