How to translate text from a photo or sign on iPhone

Last updated October 25, 2026

Point your iPhone camera at the sign, label or page and read it in your language with a camera translator. Passport Buddy translates camera text between 21 languages. For anything that matters, like medicine labels or contracts, confirm with a person.

Get Passport Buddy on the App Store

Signs and labels

Open Passport Buddy, choose the languages and point the camera at the text.

Documents

For a page of text, hold the phone square to the page in good light.

Keep a copy

Take a screenshot of the translation if you need to show it later.

When to double-check

Medicine labels, legal papers and safety notices should be confirmed with a pharmacist, lawyer or other qualified person.

Questions

Can I translate a photo on iPhone?

Yes, with a translator app that reads text from the camera or a photo.

Does it translate handwriting?

Results vary with handwriting. Printed text works best.

Does it work offline?

Yes, with Pro, after you download your languages.

Is it free?

Free to download; using it requires Passport Buddy Pro, shown in the app before you buy.

How many languages?

21 languages.

Passport Buddy is published by Block Browser INC. Translation is machine-generated and can be wrong, so confirm anything important.