How to use the camera in the Translate app on iPad

You can use the camera in the Translate app on iPad to translate text around you, or text in photos from your library.

By Stacey Butler - Senior Staff Writer
1 Min Read

On iPad, in the Translate app, use the camera view to translate text around you—for example, a restaurant menu or street signs. You can also translate text in photos from your photo library.

As you move the camera, text is translated in real time, and you can choose a different language. When you freeze the image, you can zoom in to see the overlaid translations, and copy, save, or play a translation.

Note: Translation is available for supported languages.

The Camera screen showing a menu at a restaurant with text translated from Spanish to English.

Translate text around you with the camera

  1. Open the Translate app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Camera and then hold your iPad so that the text appears on the screen.

    Note: As you move the camera, text is translated in real time.

  3. Tap a language to choose a different one.
  4. Tap the Take Picture button to freeze the image and then do any of the following:

    • Switch languages: Tap a language and then choose a different one.
    • Get a closer look: Zoom in to see the overlaid translations.
    • Copy, save, or play the translation: Tap an overlaid translation to see the details. Tap an option.

Translate text in a photo from your library

  1. Open the Translate app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Camera, tap the Photo Library button, and then select a photo that contains text.
  3. Do any of the following:
    • Switch languages: Tap a language and then choose a different one.
    • Share or save the translated image: Tap the Share button, then choose an option.

See also

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Stacey is a senior staff writer at GeeksChalk and has been writing about Apple for nearly a decade. She covers all things Apple for GeeksChalk, including iPhones, iPads and Mac. Based in Honolulu, Hawaii, Stacey is often found hiking precarious landscapes or tinkering with a camera.
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