ReadLens FAQ

Open ReadLens, point your camera at the page, and tap the shutter (or pick an existing photo or screenshot). ReadLens runs OCR to extract the text, optionally translates it, and starts playing it back with the current word highlighted in sync. The whole loop usually finishes in under fifteen seconds.

Books, textbooks, lecture slides, handouts, menus, signs, letters, labels, screenshots, PDFs shown on a screen, and clear handwriting. The OCR engine is tuned for printed text first and tolerates moderate handwriting.

No. ReadLens does not require an email address or account. Your library is tied to your device with an anonymous identifier, so you can start reading immediately.

Yes. ReadLens supports 11 languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Arabic, and Hindi. You can snap text in one language and hear it in another, or turn translation off to stay in the original language.

iPhone, iPad, Mac with Apple Silicon (M1 or later), and Apple Vision Pro, all on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, or visionOS 15.1 or later, plus Android phones and tablets via Google Play.

Capturing a page needs a connection because OCR and natural-voice generation are processed in the cloud. Once a page has been read, its recognized text is stored on your device so your library is available offline.

ReadLens offers two voice engines: ElevenLabs for the most natural, richer sound, and OpenAI for faster, lighter playback. You can choose which engine to use, and adjust playback to suit how you like to listen.

Yes. ReadLens is free to download and includes a set of free snaps each week. Premium is optional and unlocks unlimited snaps, unlimited translation, and an ad-free experience. Current pricing is shown in the App Store and inside the app.

Premium removes the weekly snap limit, gives you unlimited translation across all 11 languages, and keeps the experience ad-free. It is billed through your App Store or Google Play account; current pricing is shown there and inside the app.

Subscriptions are managed by Apple or Google, not inside the app. On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap your name, choose Subscriptions, select ReadLens, and cancel. On Android, open the Google Play Store, tap your profile, choose Payments & subscriptions, then Subscriptions, and cancel ReadLens. You keep access until the current period ends.

Yes. Hearing text while each word is highlighted in sync is a multi-sensory reading support that many people with dyslexia, ADHD, or low vision find helpful. ReadLens also reads printed material that screen readers cannot reach, such as mail, labels, and menus, and complements VoiceOver and TalkBack. See who ReadLens is for for more.

Your photos stay on your device until you tap the shutter. An image is sent only to perform OCR and voice generation. ReadLens does not require accounts, does not run ad networks, and does not sell your data. Voice generation is provided by ElevenLabs and OpenAI. Read the full privacy policy.