HanCam: Chinese Pinyin Camera

HanCam: Chinese Pinyin Camera

Hanzi translator, OCR scanner

2 ratings
1 review
Free
In-App Purchases

Details

Released
January 21, 2026
Updated
October 11, 2026
HanCam: Chinese Pinyin Camera screenshot #1 for iPhone
HanCam: Chinese Pinyin Camera screenshot #2 for iPhone
HanCam: Chinese Pinyin Camera screenshot #3 for iPhone
HanCam: Chinese Pinyin Camera screenshot #4 for iPhone
iphone
ipad
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About

Instantly translate Chinese characters to Pinyin and English using your device's camera or imported images. This offline utility app is perfect for travelers and learners needing to decipher text in real-time, with all processing done locally for privacy.

✓Real-time camera OCR for Chinese
✓Automatic Pinyin with tone marks
✓English translation
✓Import images from photo library
✓Offline functionality
✓Copy/share translations
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What's New in HanCam

1.1

October 11, 2026

• The meaning line now follows your language where Apple's on-device translation offers it. Choose it in Settings. • HanCam itself now speaks ten more languages. • Share the characters, pinyin and meaning together. • New Custom reading area: drag across the text you want to read. • Pinch to zoom in on small or distant text. • The square and full-screen reading areas now read everything they show. • Fixed: Premium now removes the daily limit everywhere. • New in Settings: rate the app, get help, read the privacy policy.

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Subscriptions & In-App Purchases

$5.99

HanCam Premium

Unlimited translations forever. One-time purchase.

User reviews

Doesn’t work

Doesn’t have a vertical option, only horizontal or square. Square can’t handle vertical, it’ll only do one character at a time. Switching to full doesn’t work. Using the freeze option goes back to horizontal even when in square mode. Guessing it was vibe coded and not tested much.

Response from developer

Hi Steff, I have not had the need myself to get characters vertically, so you are right, that was not tested for. Now a new version is made, published on app store version 1.1, with a custom field that you can drag and drop howver you want, that should hopefully solve the problem you mention.

Developer apps

FAQ

Does Hancam have ads?

No, Hancam does not contain advertisements. It is designed to provide a seamless user experience without interruptions.

What devices does Hancam support?

Hancam is available for iPhone and iPad devices. It requires iOS 18 or later to function.

How does Hancam handle privacy?

Hancam prioritizes user privacy by performing all character recognition and translation processing entirely on the device. No images or text are uploaded to any servers, and no data is collected.

Can I use Hancam without an internet connection?

Yes, Hancam is designed to be used offline. All core functionalities, including character recognition and translation, are available without an internet connection.

What is the age rating for Hancam?

Hancam has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users, including children learning Chinese.

How often is Hancam updated?

The latest version of Hancam is 1.0, and it was last updated on January 21, 2026. Future updates will likely continue to refine its features and performance.

What are the benefits of Hancam Premium?

Upgrading to Hancam Premium offers unlimited translation captures. This is available as a one-time purchase, providing full access to the app's translation capabilities.

What languages can Hancam translate?

Hancam specializes in recognizing Simplified and Traditional Chinese characters, providing their Pinyin pronunciation and English translation.