A little understanding goes a long way

The world has more to say.

The small restaurant with the menu in its window. A message from your host. The sign at the next turn. OffLingua helps you read what is around you, with text and photo translation that works right on your iPhone.

Download on theApp Store

One purchase. No subscription. Made in EU.

Take a look inside

OffLingua text mode showing an English passage and its French translation. — OffLingua’s text mode.

50+translation languages

Text + photostranslated on your iPhone

No signal?ready after the model download

You do not have to know every word

Just enough to order. To ask. To carry on.

Travel is full of ordinary moments that feel less ordinary in another language. You want to know what is on the plate, where the bus stops, or how to reply without making the conversation awkward. Open OffLingua, choose your languages and bring those words a little closer.

A closer look

Your words, a little closer.

Explore Text, Photo, and Speech in OffLingua. Open each screen to see every detail.

OffLingua photo mode with translated English text over a French sign. — French to English · Photo mode

OffLingua speech mode showing a live English transcript and its French translation. — English to French · Speech mode

Swipe or use the arrows to explore.

Image 1 of 3

01 Text

That message makes sense now.

Paste the directions your host sent you, type the question you want to ask, or bring in a longer passage. The original and the translation sit in the same view, so you can see what you wrote and copy the answer when you are ready.

A searchable language picker keeps the next language close at hand. Swap the direction when it is your turn to reply. Once the translation model is downloaded, the text is processed on your phone, including when you have no connection.

Type or paste a passage
Swap the translation direction
Copy the result or listen to it

02 Photos

Read the sign. Keep the view.

Some words are already in front of you. Take a photo of a menu, a shop notice or a printed label, or choose an image from your library. OffLingua recognises the text and places the translation over the photograph, keeping it next to the thing you are trying to understand.

Switch the original text back on when you want to check a name or point to a line. A clear, well-lit photo gives the app more to work with; small print and reflections are easier to handle when you move a little closer. Photo recognition and translation run on your iPhone after setup.

Use the camera or photo library
Read translations over the image
Switch between original and translated text

03 Speech

Say it in your own words.

When it is easier to speak than to type, use the microphone. Watch your words appear in the live transcript, stop recording, then read the translation. Use Listen to hear the translated text spoken aloud when that language is available.

For a quick question at a counter, that means you can stay in the conversation. Voice input uses Apple Speech: offline recognition depends on your language and iPhone, and some combinations need a connection. Try the language you need before leaving; text and photos are there when voice is unavailable.

See the transcript as you speak
Translate after you stop recording
Listen to supported spoken output

The translating happens here

Your iPhone. Your words.

OffLingua carries its translation model with you. Download it once while you have a reliable connection, then translate text and photos on the device. You can read a message or translate a photographed sign without waiting for reception or finding Wi-Fi.

There is no separate OffLingua account to create and no recurring OffLingua subscription. The app is a one-time purchase through Apple. Downloads, App Store purchases and some Apple Speech modes still need a connection; the privacy page explains each part in ordinary language.

How your information is handled

A familiar word, far from home

From “hello” to what comes next.

English, Romanian, French, Spanish, Japanese, Arabic and more: the app has over 50 translation language choices. Search by name, choose where you are starting and where you want to go. The languages available for voice recognition and spoken output can differ from the translation list.

Check your exact languages in the app’s picker. A few everyday phrases are a good first test.

Before you set off

Pack a translator, too.

Get OffLingua
Buy the app through the App Store. Apple shows the price and compatibility for your region; the current app requires iOS 17 or later.
Let the model download
Use a steady connection, allow space for the model and keep the app open until it is ready. This is what makes text and photo translation available offline.
Give it a small rehearsal
Try a message and a photo with connectivity off. Test speech separately, so you know what is ready on your own iPhone.

One short look

See the app in motion.

A short sequence from the App Store screenshots: a typed question, a photograph, then the words translated over it. Press play when you want to take a closer look.

App Store screenshot sequence · manual playback

A few things you might be wondering

Before the next trip.

Can I translate in airplane mode?

Yes, text and photo translation work offline after the model download. Voice is a separate step: Apple Speech availability depends on your language and device, so test it offline before your trip.

Do I need an account or subscription?

No separate OffLingua account is needed, and the current app is a one-time App Store purchase. Apple handles installation, purchase and billing.

Can I translate a photo I already have?

Yes. Choose it from the photo library, or take a new photo in the app. Make sure the words are readable. The photo mode can show the translated text over the image and switch back to the original.

How accurate are the translations?

Results depend on the language, wording and quality of the input. OffLingua is useful for everyday understanding; double-check names, numbers and important details. Legal, medical and safety instructions need qualified verification.

Where can I get help?

Our support page covers downloads, voice permissions, slow translation and purchases. You can also email the OffLingua team with your iPhone model, app version and the language pair you are using.

OffLingua support

Travel notes