Translate app: download languages ​​for offline mode (+ alternatives)

Since iOS 14 and iPadOS 14, Apple has been offering the Translate app so that users can translate texts and spoken words into unfamiliar languages. But that doesn't only work when you are online with WLAN or mobile data. There is also the option of using the Apple Translate app offline. Individual language packs can be downloaded for this purpose. How you can find the corresponding download option and which alternatives are available, I have summarized that for you in this guide. You are also welcome to leave your recommendations for translations on the iPhone and iPad as a comment;)

Download language packs for the Apple Translate app: Here's how!

The advantage of downloaded language packs is that you do not need a network connection to transmit text or spoken content. Neither mobile data nor WiFi internet is then required to translate with the app of the same name. If you want to download language packs for the Apple Translate app, this is how it works:

  1. Opens the Translate app on your Apple mobile device
  2. Tap on one of the two languages ​​that above are displayed
  3. Scroll down until you land in the "Available offline languages" section
  4. Tap on the arrow pointing down in a circlewhich is displayed behind the languages
  5. Wait for the download and then use the available packages for offline translations
If you want to download offline languages ​​in the Apple Translate app, you only need to tap the display a few times. First on one of the currently selected languages, then on the available offline language packages.
If you want to download offline languages ​​in the Apple Translate app, you only need to tap the display a few times. First on one of the currently selected languages, then on the available offline language packages.

As you can see in the picture, the following languages ​​are currently available for offline translation on the iPhone and iPad: Arabic, Chinese, German, English (UK and US), French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish . The download can take a while, the packages seem to be quite large. That's why I would recommend a WiFi connection for the download.

Alternatives to offline translation in the Apple Translate app

Personally, I not only use the Apple Translate app on the iPhone, but also the Google Translate app and the DeepL Translate app. The latter currently offers no offline use yet. The Google Translate app has a Provides live translation of images by camera, the ability to do offline translations with downloaded language packs. To do this, just proceed like this:

  1. Opens the Google Translate app on the iPhone / iPad
  2. Tap on the "Settings" tab at the bottom right
  3. Now select the item "Offline translation"
  4. Tap on the in the top right Plus symbol capacitor positive (+) lead
  5. Choose the Languages that you want to have translated offline

Where the Apple Translate app makes the whole thing a little easier, the Google software offers some additional information. So you will z. For example, it shows how much memory the individual language packets take up on the device. French takes 45,2 MB, Japanese takes 63,4 MB, Russian takes 42,2 MB - and so on. Important to know: You also have to download the language pack for German first so that you can use it;)

I have installed several apps on the Apple iPhone under iOS for translating text, spoken language, pictures and camera recordings. Which translator app do you prefer to use on the go?
I have installed several apps on the Apple iPhone under iOS for translating text, spoken language, pictures and camera recordings. Which translator app do you prefer to use on the go?

Recommendation for off-the-grid translation: pointing dictionaries

But what if the battery gives up the ghost? What if you lost your iPhone while on vacation or on a business trip? Then downloaded language packs in the translator apps will no longer help you. But what has helped me in some situations is a pointing dictionary or a picture dictionary. It contains images that are universally understandable worldwide. For example, there are point-word or no-word books from Langenscheidt or from PONS. The is also somewhat more extensive and has translations in text form Picture dictionary by Hueber.

PONS pointing dictionary: around the world with your index finger. The language that everyone understands.
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