How to Scan with Google Translate

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Translate signs, maps, photos, and more using your Android or iPhone's camera
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Are you in a foreign country and don't know the language well? Luckily, you can use the Google Translate app on your phone to scan the sign and translate it into your native language. This wikiHow will teach you how to use your camera to scan with Google Translate on Android, iPhone, or iPad.

Things You Should Know

  • The Google Translate mobile can scan printed words and translate them into other languages.
  • Once you download Translate from the App Store or Play Store, select your language preferences, then tap the Camera icon.
  • Just align the words in your camera viewfinder and highlight the text you want to translate.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using Android

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bb\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bb\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-1.jpg\/aid12470361-v4-728px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It’s a blue and white icon that you can find on one of your Home screens, in the app drawer, or by searching.
    • If you don’t have Google Translate, you can download it for free from the Google Play Store.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e2\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e2\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-2.jpg\/aid12470361-v4-728px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    A list of languages will appear in a drop-down menu.
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  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ec\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ec\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-3.jpg\/aid12470361-v4-728px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This indicates what the original language is.
    • If you want the app to automatically detect the original language, tap Detect Language , which is helpful when you don't know the origin language.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/09\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/09\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-4.jpg\/aid12470361-v4-728px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    A list of languages will appear in a drop-down menu.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fe\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fe\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-5.jpg\/aid12470361-v4-728px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If the language isn’t yet on your phone or tablet, you’ll need to download it.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/60\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/60\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-6.jpg\/aid12470361-v4-728px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It’s in the bottom left corner of the typing area (“Tap to enter text”).
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/dd\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/dd\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-7.jpg\/aid12470361-v4-728px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This icon looks like two rectangular brackets with a line in the middle [|] that you'll see centered at the bottom of your screen.
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/41\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/41\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-8.jpg\/aid12470361-v4-728px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It will pick out the individual words once you take a picture. [1]
  9. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/92\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/92\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-9.jpg\/aid12470361-v4-728px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The camera will scan everything on screen and outline each word.
  10. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d8\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d8\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-10.jpg\/aid12470361-v4-728px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can also tap "Select All" or "Clear" at the bottom of your screen to change word selection.
    • Once you select text to be translated, you'll see white and blue text bars at the top of your screen that you can tap to see more of the original text and the translation.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using iPhone or iPad

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/36\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/36\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-11.jpg\/aid12470361-v4-728px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It’s a blue and white icon that you can find on one of your Home screens.
    • If you don’t have Google Translate, you can download it for free from the App Store.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/dd\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/dd\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-12.jpg\/aid12470361-v4-728px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    A list of languages will appear in a drop-down menu.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b9\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b9\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-13.jpg\/aid12470361-v4-728px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This indicates what the original language is.
    • If you want the app to automatically detect the original language, tap Detect Language .
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-14.jpg\/v4-460px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-14.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-14.jpg\/aid12470361-v4-728px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-14.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    A list of languages will appear in a drop-down menu.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/13\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-15.jpg\/v4-460px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-15.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/13\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-15.jpg\/aid12470361-v4-728px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-15.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If the language isn’t yet on your iPhone or iPad, you’ll need to download it.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e7\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-16.jpg\/v4-460px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-16.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e7\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-16.jpg\/aid12470361-v4-728px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-16.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It’s in the bottom left corner of the typing area (“Tap to enter text”).
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7d\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-17.jpg\/v4-460px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-17.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7d\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-17.jpg\/aid12470361-v4-728px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-17.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This icon looks like two rectangular brackets with a line in the middle [|] that you'll see centered at the bottom of your screen.
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-18.jpg\/v4-460px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-18.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-18.jpg\/aid12470361-v4-728px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-18.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It will pick out the individual words once you take a picture. [2]
  9. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d3\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-19.jpg\/v4-460px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-19.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d3\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-19.jpg\/aid12470361-v4-728px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-19.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The camera will scan everything on screen and outline each word.
  10. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/87\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-20.jpg\/v4-460px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-20.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/87\/Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-20.jpg\/aid12470361-v4-728px-Scan-with-Google-Translate-Step-20.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can also tap "Select All" or "Clear" at the bottom of your screen to change word selection.
    • Once you select text to be translated, you'll see white and blue text bars at the top of your screen that you can tap to see more of the original text and the translation.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.google.com/translate/answer/6142483?co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&hl=en&oco=0
      2. ↑ https://support.google.com/translate/answer/6142483?co=GENIE.Platform%3DiOS&hl=en&oco=0

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open Google Translate.
      2. Tap the language in the top left corner of your screen.
      3. Select the language you want to translate.
      4. Tap the language in the top right corner of the screen.
      5. Select the language you want to translate to.
      6. Tap the camera icon.
      7. Tap the scan icon.
      8. Align the text in the viewfinder.
      9. Tap the circular button.
      10. Use your finger to highlight text to translate.

      Did this summary help you?
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