Welcome to TapWord
A camera-based English word lookup tool designed for readers of physical books. Point your camera at any English text, tap any word, and instantly see its dictionary definition. Perfect for language learners reading English books.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Does TapWord require an internet connection?
No. TapWord works completely offline. Text recognition and dictionary lookups are performed locally on your device using Apple's built-in Vision and Dictionary frameworks.
2. How do I use TapWord?
Simply open the app and point your camera at an English book page. The app will automatically recognize all words and highlight them. Tap any word to see its definition in a popup dictionary.
3. What types of text can TapWord recognize?
TapWord is optimized for printed English text in books, magazines, and documents. It works best with clear, well-lit printed text. Handwritten text is not supported.
4. Why can't I see the definition for some words?
TapWord uses your device's built-in dictionary. Proper nouns, abbreviations, and very specialized terms may not have definitions. Make sure you have dictionaries installed: go to Settings > General > Dictionary and download the dictionaries you need.
5. How do I get Chinese/Japanese/other language definitions?
Go to your iPhone's Settings > General > Dictionary, then download the bilingual dictionary you need (e.g., "English-Chinese" or "English-Japanese"). TapWord will then show definitions in your preferred language.
6. Does TapWord save my lookup history?
Currently, TapWord does not save lookup history. Each session starts fresh. Future versions may include a vocabulary notebook feature for saving words.
7. What are the best conditions for using TapWord?
For best results: ensure good lighting, hold the camera about 20-30cm from the page, keep the book flat or slightly tilted, and make sure the text is in focus.
8. Why is the camera not working?
Make sure you have granted camera permission. Go to Settings > TapWord and enable Camera access. Also ensure no other app is using the camera. Note: TapWord requires a physical iPhone device and does not work in the Simulator.
9. What is left-hand and right-hand mode?
TapWord offers left-hand and right-hand mode settings to optimize the interface layout for your preferred hand. This makes it easier to hold your phone and tap words comfortably while reading. You can change this in Settings > Hand Mode.
10. What languages are supported?
TapWord currently recognizes English printed text. The app interface supports 14 languages: English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Arabic, Thai, and Vietnamese.
Contact & Support
Need help or have questions? We're here to assist you.
- Email Support: wuyuping38@gmail.com
- We typically respond within 24-48 hours.
Privacy Policy
- TapWord does not collect, share, or sell any personal data.
- All text recognition is performed locally on your device. No images or text are ever uploaded to any server.
- The app displays ads through Google AdMob. Ad personalization can be controlled through your device settings.
- No account or sign-in is required to use the app.
- Camera access is used solely for real-time text recognition and is never recorded or stored.
Terms of Service
Subscription Terms
- TapWord Premium is available as a Monthly or Annual subscription.
- Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase.
- Subscription automatically renews unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period.
- Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period.
- You can manage and cancel your subscriptions by going to your App Store account settings after purchase.
- Any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription.
- Subscription pricing varies by region and is displayed in the App Store and within the app.
Premium Features
TapWord Premium subscription includes:
- Ad-free experience
- Home Screen Widget for quick access
- Lock Screen Widget for instant lookup
Usage Terms
- You may use this app for personal, non-commercial purposes.
- You may not reverse engineer, modify, or redistribute the app.
- We reserve the right to modify or discontinue features at any time.
- We reserve the right to update these Terms of Service. Continued use of the app constitutes acceptance of any changes.
Disclaimer
The app is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. We are not liable for any damages arising from use of the app. Dictionary definitions are provided by Apple's system dictionary and we do not guarantee their accuracy.
Release Notes
v1.0
- Initial release with real-time camera text recognition
- Tap-to-lookup dictionary feature using system dictionary
- Optimized for English printed text
- Support for bilingual dictionaries (English-Chinese, English-Japanese, etc.)
- Haptic feedback on word tap
- Fully offline functionality
- Home Screen and Lock Screen Widgets (Premium)
- Left-hand and right-hand mode support
- Support for 14 languages