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Translate text with the camera view in the Translate app on iPad

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

Note: Translation is available for supported languages. See the iOS and iPadOS Feature Availability website.

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

Translate text using the camera view

  1. Open the Translate app 👁 Image
    on your iPad.

  2. Tap 👁 the Show Sidebar button
    ,
    then tap Camera.

  3. Choose the language you want to translate your selected text into.

  4. Position iPad so the rear camera can translate text around you.

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

  5. Tap 👁 the Take Picture button
    to pause the view.

    You can zoom in to get a closer look at the overlaid translations.

  6. Tap an overlaid translation to show the translation card, then do any of the following:

    • Copy Translation: Copy the translated text.

    • Add to Favorites: Add the translation to a list of favorites.

    • Listen to Original Text: Tap More, then tap 👁 the Gray Play button
      to listen to the original text.

    • Listen to Translated Text: Tap 👁 the Blue Play button
      to listen to the translated text.

  7. When you’re finished, tap 👁 the End button
    .

Translate text in photos from your photo library

  1. Go to the Translate app 👁 Image
    on iPad.

  2. Tap 👁 the Show Sidebar button
    ,
    then tap Camera.

  3. Choose the language you want to translate your selected text into.

  4. Tap 👁 the Photo Library button
    ,
    then select a photo that contains text from your photo library.

  5. When you’re finished, tap 👁 the End button
    .

Share and save a translated image

  1. Go to the Translate app 👁 Image
    on your iPad.

  2. Tap 👁 the Show Sidebar button
    ,
    tap Camera, then do one of the following:

  3. Tap 👁 the Share button
    ,
    then do any of the following:

    • Share the translation: Choose a share option.

    • Save the translation as an image: Tap Save Image.

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