Translate

In the Translate app, you can type or speak words and phrases and translate them to another language. Download languages to translate entirely on your iPhone, even without an internet connection.

You can play the audio translation, look up the translation in the dictionary, show it in full screen, or copy it. You can also save your favorite translations, and they stay up to date across devices signed in to the same Apple Account.

Note: Translation is available for supported languages.

Translate a word or phrase

1. Start the Translate app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the languages to choose what to translate from and to.

   To swap languages, tap the Language Swap button.

3. Do one of the following:
   • Type: Tap “Enter text,” type a phrase (or paste text) and tap Next.
   • Speak: Tap the Listen button and then say a phrase.

   Note: Words are translated as you type or speak.

4. When the translation is shown, do any of the following:
   • Play the audio translation: Tap the Play button.
   • Adjust the playback speed: Touch and hold the Play button and choose a speed.
   • Show the translation in full screen: Tap the Enter Full Screen button.
   • Look up the translation in the dictionary: Tap the Dictionary button.
   • Copy the translation: Tap the Copy button.
   • Delete the translation: Swipe left, then tap the Delete button.

Save and view your favorite translations

1. Start the Translate app on your iPhone.
2. To save a translation as a favorite, tap the Favorites button.
3. To review your favorites, tap the Favorites List button.

Note: The Translate app keeps your favorite translations up to date on every device where you’re signed in to the same Apple Account.

You can select any text to translate in apps such as Notes, Mail, and supported third-party apps. When you enter text, you can even replace what you wrote with a translation.

You can choose the languages you want to translate from and to, and hear the original text or its translation spoken. You can also download languages, so you can translate locally on your iPhone. Translation is available for supported languages.

Note: Translation is available for supported languages.

1. Go to an app like Notes or Mail on your iPhone.
2. Select the text you want to translate and tap Translate.

   If you don’t see Translate, tap the Show More Items button to see more options.

3. Tap the Language Menu. Choose the languages you want to translate your selected text from and to.
4. To hear the text spoken, tap More. Tap the Gray Play button on the original text or its translation.
5. Swipe down to see options for any of the following:
   • Replace your original, editable text with the translation: Tap Replace with Translation.
   • Translate locally on your iPhone: Tap Download Languages.

Note: Not all options are available with all translation apps.

You can customize your preferences for the Translate app in Settings. Download languages, use on-device translation, or choose a different default translation app.

On-device translation keeps processing on your iPhone instead of Apple servers, even without an internet connection. With Automatic, translations may be processed on Apple servers when the languages aren’t downloaded. With Always, translations are always processed on your iPhone using your downloaded languages, which also work for Live Translation and offline use.

Here’s how to change your Translate settings on iPhone.

Download languages

For on-device translation, Live Translation, or offline use, download languages first.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Apps, tap Translate, and tap Languages.
3. Tap the Download button next to the languages you want to download.

Choose when to use on-device translation

On-device translation processes your translations on your iPhone rather than on Apple servers, and it works even without an internet connection.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Apps and then tap Translate.
3. Set On-Device Translation to one of the following options:
   • Automatic: Translations are processed on your device when the languages are downloaded; otherwise, translations may be processed on Apple servers.
   • Always: Translations are always processed on your device using your downloaded languages.

Choose a default translation app

You can change the default if you have multiple translation apps.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Apps and then tap Translate.
3. Tap Default Translation App, then choose an app.