Translate images via your phone camera with Google Translate
The newest version of Google Translate for Android and iPhone allows you to use your phone's camera to translate text, either in real-time or via a photo. Here's how to use your phone camera to translate images.
Google Translate supports over 100 languages and proposes translations not just through text but also photo, video and even voice! These features are however not yet available in all languages. This guide will walk you through each method.
How to use Google's instant translate option?
For instant translation using your phone's camera, you must first download Google Translate and any languages that you'd like saved for offline use.
Once the application and languages have been installed, launch the app.
- In the top-left corner, select the Language option, and tap the text's original language.
- Do the same in the right-hand corner with the language to which you'd like the text to be translated.
- Tap the Instant Translate camera icon:
- Finally, point your camera at the text that you would like to translate. The translation will appear on the screen.
How to take a photo to translate text?
- To translate text via photo, simply launch the application, and select the Language option in the top-left corner.
- Tap the text's original language.
- Next, do the same in the right-hand corner with the language to which you'd like the text to be translated.
- Tap the Instant Translate option.
- Then, tap the Camera button to take a picture.
- Use your finger to highlight the text that you'd like translated. Google will instantly translate your selection.
How to translate images already on a device?
Translating images already on your device is a very similar process as taking a picture.
- Launch Google Translate, and select the Language option in the top-left corner.
- Tap the text's original language.
- Next, do the same in the right-hand corner with the language to which you'd like the text to be translated.
- Next, tap the Camera button > Import.
- Choose the photo that you'd like to translate, and then highlight the text selection that you'd like translated.