Download your languages before you leave home.

Download a language

1. Connect to Wi-Fi. The packs only download over Wi-Fi, not mobile data.
2. Open SofiLingo and tap the language at the top of the screen.
3. Tap Download beside each language you will need: theirs, and yours if it is not already there.
4. Wait for each to finish. Downloaded languages translate offline.

Which ones to get

The language of every country you are going to, and of any you are changing planes in. A pack is about 30 MB, so a few of them take less room than a minute of video.

If you are crossing a border where signs switch script, get both. A pack you did not need costs 30 MB; one you needed and did not get costs a conversation.

What works offline once they are on the phone

Typing works in all 58. The camera reads 25 languages on the phone alone, and 16 more fall back to the phone when there is no signal. Speaking works offline where your iPhone has that language's own speech pack, which is a separate download in iOS.

The other 17 languages need a connection for the camera, because the phone cannot read their writing on its own. Scan anyway: the photo is kept in Saved scans and translates itself when you are back online.

Making room again

Back home, tap the language and choose Remove. That frees about 30 MB, and you can download it again over Wi-Fi next time.

Questions

How big is a language download?

About 30 MB per language, downloaded over Wi-Fi.

Do I need to download both languages?

Yes: the one you are translating from and the one you are translating into. Download both before you go.

Can I download a language abroad?

Yes, on any Wi-Fi network, such as your hotel. It will not download over mobile data.