Apple Is Rolling out A New Translation API for iOS Apps

Highlights

• Apple introduces Translation API for iOS apps in iOS 17.4.
• Translation services powered by on-device machine learning models.
• Supports offline translation, enhancing user privacy and convenience.
• New features available with iOS 18 SDK for advanced translation capabilities.

Apple has provided a new Translation API for iOS apps and now allows devs to integrate Apple Translate functionality right in their apps.

This was announced during one of the WWDC 2024 sessions.

Apple Introduced a New App for Translation

Beginning with iOS 17.4, the API provides translation services from Apple, instead of the app using third-party services.

It is run by the very on-device machine learning models that power Apple Translate, so it’s not dependent on the internet and doesn’t cost much in terms of storage.

Because of this API, an app can translate a single or numerous strings.

Developers could also display the translation results inside any user interface.

The Translation API supports devices running iOS 17.4 and later.

Some features are available only when used with the iOS 18 SDK.

It reduces storage usage by having shared models across different applications that have downloaded the same ones.

Provides system-level makeup for offline translation, enhancing user privacy and convenience.

New iOS 18 SDK

One of the new APIs also gives developers the opportunity to use the system UI to pop up translations quickly, useful in translating larger swaths of text to interface or the whole thing in an application.

A developer beta preview of iOS 18 is already available, and a public beta is planned for next month, with full availability this fall.

This development will make a difference in the localization of apps and getting a presence in other world markets. 

Now, developers don’t have to struggle so much in coming up with an app that will attract international usage without requiring tedious manual translation or seeking out external translation services.

FAQs

What is the new Translation API introduced by Apple?

Apple has introduced a new Translation API for iOS apps, allowing developers to integrate Apple Translate functionality directly into their applications.

This API is available starting with iOS 17.4.

How does the Apple Translation API work?

The Translation API uses on-device machine learning models to provide translation services, meaning it does not require an internet connection and minimizes storage usage by sharing models across different applications.

What are the benefits of using Apple’s Translation API?

The Translation API enhances user privacy and convenience by enabling offline translation. It also reduces storage usage and provides system-level support for displaying translation results within any user interface.

Which iOS versions support the new Translation API?

The Translation API supports devices running iOS 17.4 and later. Additional features are available when used with the iOS 18 SDK, which is currently in developer beta preview.

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