Tolki Support

Requirements

Which iOS version does Tolki require?

Tolki requires a compatible iPhone running iOS 26 or later and enough free storage for your language packs.

Do I need Apple Intelligence?

No. Apple Intelligence is not required for translation. Additional local translation models are available for Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, and Catalan. Download the required packs under Offline translation in the voice menu and enable the offline fallback. Optional AI features may vary by device.

Do I need an internet connection?

Translation works offline after downloading the required translation, speech recognition, and voice packs. Downloads, app updates, purchases, and restoring purchases need a connection. Test your language pair in airplane mode before travelling.

Translation

Which languages are supported?

Tolki offers 19 catalog languages: German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Polish, Russian, Vietnamese, Hindi, Danish, Swedish, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian Bokmål, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Chinese. Catalan is also included with Spanish; its local models translate via Spanish. Piper voices are available for 13 languages, with local Apple voices used for others. The app shows availability and setup requirements.

Translation fails — what should I do?

Check two things: When using a language pair for the first time, Tolki automatically downloads the required Apple translation models — this needs an internet connection once. For speech output, you can also download a Piper voice: Voice menu (top right) → download the desired voice. If no Piper voice is available, Tolki uses Apple's local voice.

Speech recognition doesn't understand me well.

Speak clearly and hold your iPhone about 20–30 cm from your mouth. In noisy environments, it helps to increase the silence threshold using the slider so that Tolki doesn't cut off too early.

Piper voices

How do I download a Piper voice?

Open the voice menu in Tolki (icon in the top right). Tap Download next to the desired voice. Files are 60–115 MB and are downloaded once.

The app crashes when loading a voice.

Tolki has a built-in crash guard. On the next launch, the faulty model is automatically removed. Try loading a different voice afterwards, or delete all voices via the voice menu and download again.

AirPods & hearing aids

What is AirPods Mode?

When AirPods or a Bluetooth headset are connected, Tolki automatically switches to fully automatic mode: The iPhone sits between both speakers and picks up both voices via its built-in microphone. You hear your translation privately through AirPods or hearing aids; the guest's translation plays through the iPhone speaker. No button press needed.

Are hearing aids supported?

Tolki supports audio output through compatible hearing aids connected to your iPhone, such as MFi hearing aids. Available audio routes depend on the device and iOS. Please test playback with your hearing aids; if you need help, send us the model and iOS version.

Tolki doesn't detect my AirPods.

Connect your AirPods before launching the app or shortly after opening it. iOS needs about 1–2 seconds to update the audio route. If detection still fails, fully close the app and reopen it.

Chat Mode

How does Chat Mode work?

Chat Mode connects two iPhones directly. Each person speaks into their own device; Tolki translates and shows the conversation in each person's language. The connection is local, without an account and without the cloud.

Why do I need to hold the button while speaking?

Chat Mode works like a walkie-talkie: while one person speaks, they hold the microphone button. This prevents both devices from recording at the same time and interfering with each other.

Controls & learning

The language slider is difficult to position.

In version 1.4.3 and later, tap the language name or code beside the slider and choose from the list. The slider remains available as well.

The display is upside down in Listen Mode.

Use the rotate button in Listen Mode. Since version 1.4.2, it rotates the display 180° so you can point the microphone towards the speaker and still read the screen.

Learn Mode shows German text labelled “EN”.

Please update to Tolki 1.4.3 or later. The source-language mapping has been corrected. Phrase packs, favorites, and recaps respect your selected language pair, while existing learning progress is preserved.

How do I unlock more languages?

English and your chosen home language are included. Additional languages are available individually or as a complete pack with one-time in-app purchases, without a subscription. On a new device, use the same Apple Account and “Restore purchases” in the app. Current prices are shown before purchase.

Contact

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