TalkaloThey answer a normal call
Call a supported mobile or landline number. The recipient does not need Talkalo or a special invitation.
← Explore TalkaloPhone calls.
Real-time phone call translation
Phone calls.
Translated both ways.
Use Talkalo on iPhone to call a supported mobile or landline number with two-way translated speech and bilingual captions in your app. The other person answers their usual phone, without installing an app.
Explore the walkthroughDevices, cost and setupCompare phone translation options
SPANISH → ENGLISH
Quedemos mañana a las diez.
Let's meet tomorrow at ten.
Read what was said
Follow the original and translated words as you talk. Check names, times and addresses together.
Type when words matter
Write a reply and have Talkalo translate and speak it into the call. Useful when spelling out a name or address.
How does real-time phone call translation work on iPhone?
Talkalo lets you dial a supported mobile or landline number from your iPhone and translate speech in both directions. You hear the other person in your chosen language; they hear your words translated into theirs. You can also read the original and translated text in Talkalo. The recipient answers a normal phone call without installing an app.
Features, requirements and cost
- Your device
- The Talkalo app on an iPhone with iOS 16 or later, an internet connection and microphone access.
- The other person
- A supported mobile or landline number. They answer an ordinary call and do not need Talkalo or an invitation link.
- Spoken translation and captions
- Two-way translated speech. Bilingual captions appear in your Talkalo app; a regular phone recipient hears the translation rather than receiving an app subtitle screen.
- Languages
- Choose both languages before dialing. Options include Chinese, English, Spanish, Japanese and Korean; check the available pair in the app.
- Calling cost
- Credits are charged by supported destination and connected duration. Check the quote before dialing; ringing and preparation are not charged.
- Credits and Pro
- Outgoing translation needs usable credits. A receiving number and translated incoming calls require an active Talkalo Pro subscription. Pro is not unlimited calling; only subscribers can buy additional credit packs.
Start in three steps
Choose both languages
Open phone calling in Talkalo, choose each speaker’s language and confirm that two-way translation is on.
Check the number and rate
Enter a supported mobile or landline number with its country code. Review the destination quote and usable credit balance before dialing.
Speak and check the details
The recipient answers normally. Take turns speaking, listen to translated speech and check names, times and addresses in your bilingual captions.
When to use it
Chinese–English: call a hotel abroad to confirm check-in time, a reservation or an address.
English–Spanish: call a landlord or repair service and confirm the appointment in bilingual text.
Example situations, not customer testimonials. Take turns speaking and confirm important details; translation can make mistakes.
Need video and captions for both people? Explore video call translation.Read the full credits and Pro guideHow to choose phone call translation software
Consider Talkalo when you want to call a supported mobile or landline number from an iPhone, hear translation both ways and read bilingual captions without asking the recipient to install an app. Talkalo runs on iOS 16 or later with internet access and credits. If your existing phone already provides call translation for your language pair and region, its built-in option is also a sensible starting point.
When Talkalo is a useful fit
Keep your supported iPhone
Talkalo uses online translation on iOS 16 or later, without requiring an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone. Check language, destination and service availability in the app.
Reach someone at their usual number
Dial a supported hotel, landlord, shop or family member. They answer an ordinary phone call and hear translated speech; your bilingual captions stay in Talkalo.
Choose a number or a video invitation
Use phone translation for an existing number. Use a separate Talkalo voice/video invitation when both people want translated speech and captions on their own screens.
| Option | Best fit | What the participants use | Requirements and cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Talkalo phone translation | An iPhone user who needs to dial a supported mobile or landline, including Chinese–English conversations. | You call from Talkalo. The recipient answers normally without an app or link. Both hear translated speech; you read bilingual captions in Talkalo. | iOS 16+, internet and usable credits. Rates depend on destination and connected duration. Incoming translation needs Pro and a receiving number; keeping an existing incoming number also needs carrier forwarding. |
| Apple Live Translation | An eligible iPhone user who prefers translation inside the system Phone app. | Translated speech and text during a one-to-one Phone call. Download the required languages first. | An Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone, supported software, languages and region. Normal carrier calling charges may still apply. |
| Samsung Galaxy Live translate | Someone who already has a compatible Galaxy device and supported language pair. | Translation in the Samsung dialer and selected supported third-party calling apps. | Select Galaxy devices with Android 14 / One UI 6.1 or later; region and language limits apply. Samsung lists its basic Galaxy AI features as free; carrier charges and other service terms remain separate. |
| Pixel Live Translate / Voice Translate | A compatible Pixel user whose language pair is on Google’s supported list. | Live speech translation in supported phone calls. Google describes on-device operation without an internet connection after setup. | Pixel 10 or later for phone-call translation. The current official list covers English paired with specified languages; check your pair. Normal calling charges may still apply. |
| Talkalo voice/video invitation | Two people who can open a call link and both want translated speech and captions, with optional video. | The host uses the iPhone app; the guest uses a supported phone or computer browser without installing Talkalo. Both have captions. | Both need internet and microphone permission; video needs camera access. The host spends credits for connected time. The guest needs no Talkalo subscription. This starts a separate call. |
Choose by the conversation you need to have
Call a hotel or restaurant abroad
You speak Chinese, the business speaks English, and all you have is its phone number.
Use Talkalo phone translation when the destination and language pair are available. The business answers normally; you can confirm names, times and addresses in your bilingual captions.
Enter the country code and check the destination quote and balance before dialing.
See phone-call setupArrange a repair or delivery while living abroad
You need to explain a problem to a landlord or local service without asking them to join an online meeting.
Call their supported number from Talkalo. Speak in short turns, listen to translated replies, and use the text reply feature when a spelling or appointment time matters.
Outgoing calls use credits. Receiving translated callbacks requires a Pro receiving number and, when applicable, carrier forwarding.
Check incoming-call requirementsTalk with family on video in two languages
Both people can go online and want to see each other and read both languages.
Choose a Talkalo video invitation instead of dialing a number. The guest opens a supported browser; both people hear translated speech and see bilingual captions.
The host needs usable credits. Both need internet and permissions. It does not translate an existing FaceTime, WeChat or WhatsApp call.
See video-call translationCheck these four things before choosing
- Confirm your device, country and exact language pair, including whether spoken translation is supported.
- Decide whether you must dial an existing number or can send an invitation link.
- Check who hears translated audio and who sees captions; the two are not interchangeable.
- Review the current rate, usable balance and incoming-call requirements before you connect.
From the first ring to the last detail.
Frequently asked questions
Can an iPhone translate a regular phone call in both directions?
Yes. Start the call inside Talkalo, select both languages and enable two-way translation. Each person hears the other speaker’s translated words. Call only the destinations and numbers available in the app.
Does the recipient need an app, internet access or a caption screen?
The recipient answers an ordinary supported mobile or landline call without installing Talkalo or opening a link. Your iPhone needs internet access. Bilingual captions appear in your Talkalo app; the regular phone recipient hears translated speech.
Can I translate Chinese and English phone calls?
Chinese and English are among the phone language options, alongside Spanish, Japanese, Korean and others. Choose both languages before dialing and check the available pair. Language support is separate from country and number availability.
Do outgoing translated calls require Pro, and how are they charged?
Outgoing calls need usable credits and are charged by destination and connected duration; ringing and preparation are not charged. Usable credits can be spent without an active Pro subscription. Pro provides recurring credits, and only subscribers can buy more credit packs; Pro is not unlimited calling. Check current prices and the destination quote in the app.
Can I keep my existing number and translate incoming calls?
Verify your number for supported outgoing caller ID. Incoming translation requires an active Pro subscription and a Talkalo receiving number. To receive calls made to your original number, separately set up carrier forwarding; availability and carrier charges depend on your location and carrier.
Will Talkalo translate an existing call in the iPhone Phone app?
No. Place your translated outgoing call from Talkalo. Installing Talkalo does not add translation to an already connected system, WhatsApp, WeChat or FaceTime call.
Which iPhones can use it?
The Talkalo app requires iOS 16 or later. Speech recognition and translation use online services, so an internet connection and microphone permission are required. Destination, language and service availability still apply.