How to use your phone's camera to translate anything
With the aid of a quick picture, you can use your phone's camera to translate pretty much any text while you're traveling across the globe.
Modern smartphones possess the capability to decipher various languages through their built-in camera features. This proves particularly useful for travelers who often encounter foreign text that is either unfamiliar or uses a distinct script. While translation applications may appear to be the most apparent solution, research indicates that your phone's camera might be the superior choice.
However, depending on the languages and context, a combination of tools might be necessary. Google Translate, for example, has offered a camera mode for over a decade, enabling real-time translation of text in more than 100 languages. To use this feature, one must install the app, open it, and tap the camera icon to initiate the translation process.
For offline use, consider downloading frequently used languages within Google Translate, adding convenience for travelers. Alternatively, Google Lens on Android or the Live Text feature in iOS can translate text without the need for a dedicated app. While Google Translate may occasionally falter, especially with diacritics or informal text in menus, AI-powered translation apps such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude can provide superior results.
These apps generally deliver more accurate translations, particularly for restaurant menus, though they may require an internet connection and can be more costly due to daily usage limits.
Written by urgent.news from Engadget's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
