A camera can help you understand a sign without typing its words. Supported iPhones can detect text in Camera with Live Text, let you select it and offer Translate. Google Translate’s camera tool provides a similar practical option on supported devices where the service is available.

Choose the language pair and aim at clear, well-lit text. Small lettering, unusual fonts and blurry photos can produce errors; check important meaning rather than trusting the overlay automatically. This ranks ahead of maps for its usefulness both while traveling and at home with unfamiliar-language packaging. Device, language and regional support still determine whether it works for you.

Official guides: Apple Live Text · Google Translate.

Illustration: Topnilo; phone icon by Assaf Katz, adapted. All artwork: CC0.