LingoKey

Straight answers

LingoKey frequently asked questions

Find concise answers to the questions people ask before adding a translation keyboard to iPhone or iPad.

Download on the App Store

Made for iPhone and iPad

Installation and use

LingoKey is installed like any App Store app, but iOS requires a separate one-time step to add a third-party keyboard. Follow the complete setup guide.

Privacy and Full Access

Full Access is the iOS permission that lets a third-party keyboard communicate over the network. It is necessary for cloud translation, but it does not make every keystroke a translation request. Read the plain-language privacy explanation.

Translation quality and modes

Different messages need different priorities. Instant mode favors speed; Professional mode is intended for more polished wording. You should always review important legal, medical, financial, or safety-critical text before sending it.

Natural, Casual, Formal, Business, and Social presets describe the requested voice. You can also create a custom style with your own name and translation instruction, choose an icon, preview it, and make selected styles available from the keyboard. Styles can improve fit for a situation, but they do not turn automated translation into professional human review.

Languages

Source keyboards and translation targets are not the same list. LingoKey provides dedicated input for Simplified Chinese, English variants, Spanish, French, German, Brazilian Portuguese, and European Portuguese, while the target selector includes more than 100 languages and regional variants. See the detailed language guide.

Incoming messages and undo

For text you received, copy it and open clipboard translation. For text LingoKey just replaced, use undo while the surrounding field remains unchanged. These are separate, explicit workflows and neither one continuously monitors your typing or clipboard.

Lingo PRO and App Store billing

Apple shows the actual local price, renewal period, and any introductory offer you are eligible to receive. Restore Purchases uses the Apple Account that made the original purchase. Deleting the app does not cancel the subscription.

More help

If the keyboard is installed but not appearing, translation is unavailable, or your purchase status looks wrong, visit LingoKey Help or email [email protected].

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What does LingoKey do?

LingoKey adds translation controls to a third-party iPhone and iPad keyboard so you can write, translate, review, and insert text without switching to a separate translator.

Where can I use it?

You can use LingoKey in compatible text fields across messaging, email, browser, productivity, and social apps. Some secure fields may force iOS to use the system keyboard.

Does it need Full Access?

Yes. iOS requires Full Access before a third-party keyboard can use the network. LingoKey needs that connection to process translation requests you explicitly start.

Does LingoKey store every keystroke?

No. LingoKey does not proactively send everything you type. It sends the selected text when you request translation and processes account, subscription, and diagnostic data needed to operate the service.

Can I use LingoKey without creating an account?

Yes. The current version supports getting started as a guest without creating or signing in to an account.

Does LingoKey work offline?

Translation requires a network connection because requested text is sent to the LingoKey translation service. The site does not claim offline translation.

How do I switch back to another keyboard?

Tap or hold the globe key and choose another keyboard installed on your device.

Which source keyboards does LingoKey include?

LingoKey includes dedicated source keyboards for Simplified Chinese, English regional variants, Spanish, French, German, Brazilian Portuguese, and European Portuguese.

How many languages can LingoKey translate into?

The target selector contains more than 100 languages and regional variants. The current in-app list is the source of truth as coverage expands.

Can LingoKey translate a message I received?

Yes. Copy the incoming text, open the clipboard translation panel, refresh it if needed, and request the reverse translation.

What is the difference between Instant and Professional?

Instant prioritizes speed for everyday exchanges. Professional is intended for more considered, polished wording. Both remain automated translations and should be reviewed.

What writing styles are available?

LingoKey includes Natural, Casual, Formal, Business, and Social presets. You can also create a custom style with your own name and translation instruction, choose an icon, preview it, and make selected styles available from the keyboard. Style changes the requested voice without changing the language pair.

Can I undo a translated replacement?

Yes, while the translated text and surrounding context have not changed. LingoKey disables undo if it can no longer identify the previous replacement safely.

Does deleting the app cancel Lingo PRO?

No. Apple manages the subscription, so deleting the app or a LingoKey account does not automatically cancel billing. Manage it in Apple Account subscription settings.

LingoKey

Try LingoKey on your own keyboard

Download the app, follow the guided setup, and translate in compatible text fields.

Download on the App Store
Last reviewed: July 27, 2026