Single Line
Focuses on one horizontal line. This is the most stable choice for following a sentence or sign.
PinyinIQ complete guide
Read with confidence, step by step.
Learn how to scan live Chinese, freeze a stable result, import a document, correct readings, use the dictionary and keep everything organised.
Start with Live LensQuick answer
Tap Freeze when the pinyin is ready.
Live Lens continuously rechecks the camera view. Freeze stops the updates so the characters and pinyin remain still while you read.
Live Lens
Scan live, then Freeze to read.
While Live Lens is active, it keeps recognising the current camera view. Small changes in angle, focus, lighting or the words inside the frame can produce a new reading, so the overlay may move while the camera is live. This is expected. Freeze the frame when the result you want appears.
Paragraph mode
For a paragraph that stays readable
Paragraph mode is designed to recognise several nearby lines. Use this sequence whenever the overlay is difficult to follow.
- 1Select Paragraph
Tap the frame mode control and choose Paragraph. Use Single Line instead when you only need one line.
- 2Fit the reading area
Move or resize the focus area so it contains the paragraph and as little unrelated text as possible.
- 3Hold steady
Keep the device parallel to the page, fill the frame with clear print and avoid glare or shadows.
- 4Wait for a useful result
The pinyin may move while the live view is being refreshed. Watch for the words and line order you want.
- 5Tap Freeze
Tap the large centre pause control. Confirm that the status changes from “Live, on device” to “Frame frozen”.
- 6Read, review or save
Read the stable pinyin, tap a word for details, or save the capture to Library. Tap Resume when you are ready to scan again.
Paragraph
Captures several adjacent lines. Freeze the frame before you begin reading or checking the result.
Full Frame
Uses the larger camera view. Best for clean, simple layouts with little unrelated text around the target.
If the pinyin keeps moving: tap Freeze first. If the result is incomplete, tap Resume, steady the camera, reduce the reading area or switch to Single Line, then Freeze again.
Studio
Turn text, photos and files into a reading.
- Choose a source. Paste Chinese, take a photo, choose a photo or import a supported document.
- Generate the reading. PinyinIQ recognises the Chinese and adds tone-marked pinyin.
- Review before keeping it. Check names, place names and characters with more than one pronunciation.
- Edit and export. Correct Chinese or pinyin, adjust reading appearance, then save or export the annotated result.
Best practice: use a sharp, straight image with even lighting. For a long or complex document, review it in sections before export.
Dictionary
Look up Chinese or pinyin offline.
- Enter Chinese characters, pinyin or an English meaning in the search field.
- Choose a result to see pronunciation and definitions.
- Tap Hear to play the pronunciation. Media volume must be above zero, even though requested speech can play when the Ring/Silent switch is set to silent.
- Use Bookmark to keep the entry, or add it as a learning card for later practice.
Library and Reader
Keep what matters, then continue reading.
- Readings stores saved Studio and Live Lens captures.
- Cards stores words selected for flashcard learning.
- Bookmarks keeps dictionary entries you want to revisit.
- Reader opens saved content with adjustable Chinese size, pinyin size and line spacing.
To delete one item, open its Library section, swipe left on that item and tap Delete. Export anything you want to keep before removing the app.
Learning tools
Practise recognition, recall and tones.
- Create a card from a dictionary entry or recognised Live Lens word.
- Review the character, pinyin and meaning, then reveal the answer at your own pace.
- Use tone practice to strengthen the link between syllables and Mandarin tones.
- Use handwriting lookup to draw a character when typing or pronunciation is uncertain.
More and Settings
Make the reading comfortable.
Open More to reach Settings, then adjust how Chinese and pinyin are displayed. The app keeps these preferences on your device.
Reading appearance
Adjust Chinese size, pinyin size and line spacing. Turn tone colouring on when colour helps you distinguish pronunciation.
Themes
Choose the visual theme that gives you the clearest contrast and most comfortable reading environment.
Pronunciation glossary
Review reusable pronunciation corrections for names or special terms. Swipe left to remove an individual correction.
Privacy and legal
Review local processing, permissions and third-party notices. Core reading features do not require an account.
Quick fixes
When something does not look right.
Pinyin moves while scanning a paragraph
This means Live Lens is still refreshing its recognition. Tap Freeze when the desired result appears. For greater stability, hold the device parallel to the page, reduce glare, tighten the focus area or use Single Line.
Some characters are missing or incorrect
Move closer, improve lighting and remove unrelated text from the frame. Freeze the best result, then tap a recognised word to review or edit it.
Camera does not open
Open iOS Settings, choose PinyinIQ and enable Camera. Return to the app and reopen Live Lens.
Pronunciation is silent
Raise media volume and check whether audio is routed to headphones or Bluetooth. The output volume must be above zero.
A file will not import
Try the original file or export it as PDF, DOCX, image, HTML, EPUB or plain text, then import it again.
Need more help?
We are here to help you read.
Visit Support for permissions, deletion and contact guidance, or download PinyinIQ free from the App Store.