PlayTranslate - Android Application for Playing Untranslated/Unlocalized Games

[Yuhiru]

PlayTranslate

First thing first, Nice to meet you all! This might be my second time posting here. But here we are. Today i want to introduce the application to translating untranslated/unlocalized games, any types of games you want it live using online or offline services. This application is currently available only on android. To be honest, this maybe not really convenient like LunaTranslator but i guess try it first? ​

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Features

• One-tap Translation: Capture the game screen and translate Japanese text with one tap
• Auto Translation Mode: Automatically translates as dialogue changes, no tapping required
• Word lookup: Hover the floating lens over any word for immediate dictionary definitionss
• Offline: OCR and dictionary lookups work without an internet connection, with optional offline translation models
• Furigana/Pinyin Mode: Show reading hints above characters in real time
• Hotkey hold-to-preview: Configure a physical key to hold-to-preview translations or furigana, great for handhelds with dedicated buttons
• Dual Screen & Split Screen: Works across both screens on dual-display devices like the Ayn Thor, or in Android split-screen alongside windowed games
• Capture regions: Crop to just the dialogue box, subtitles, or any custom area
• Text-to-speech: Hear text spoken aloud. Change the default voice in settings
• Anki export: Save sentences to AnkiDroid with the original text, translation, word list, target words, text-to-speech, and a screenshot. Card type selection with presets for popular decks.
• Yomitan integration: Yomitan dictionaries seamlessly integrate, including pitch accent, frequency chips, kanji enrichment, and merged term definitions everywhere (incl. Anki). Look for deeper integration in the future

Won't install?

On some Android devices, Google Play Protect blocks sideloaded APKs and shows a vague "App not installed" or "harmful app" warning. If that happens, temporarily disable the scanner:

1. Open the Play Store
2. Tap your profile icon (top right)
3. Tap Play Protect
4. Tap the gear icon (top right)
5. Turn off Scan apps with Play Protect

Install the APK, then re-enable Play Protect afterward to keep scanning your other apps.

Can't enable accessibility?

PlayTranslate's core features run on a screen-recording permission, so most users never need to enable accessibility. A few advanced features (like hotkey hold-to-preview) will prompt you for it when you turn them on.

Some Android OEMs block sideloaded apps from receiving accessibility permissions by default — the toggle in Settings is grayed out or shows a "Restricted setting" message. To unblock it:

1. Open Settings → Apps → PlayTranslate
2. Tap the ⋮ menu (top right)
3. Tap Allow restricted settings
4. Authenticate when prompted

You can now turn on accessibility for PlayTranslate.

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There's 25 game languages (the text it can read off the screen) into 59 translation languages that's accessible. There's also AI language model available like DeepL, OpenAI, Gemini, DeepSeek available for user (with setting up the API key like usual) for enhance translation performance. For further information check it through here.

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You can use Furigana mode or translation mode to use. But if you use furigana mode at least please memorize hiragana since there's no romaji mode. Anyway here's some screenshots example from me.

OCR + Translation Mode

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Spoiler

Translation Result:

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Furigana Mode

Spoiler

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Drag Mode + Translating Specific Kanji/Hiragana/Katakana

To enter this mode hold the bubble PlayTranslate pop up and drag it to the word you want to check you can add the specific word it to your Anki Droid deck and for learning purpose. Example:

Spoiler

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↓↓↓↓ GET THE APP FROM ↓↓↓↓

DOWNLOAD:
GITHUB

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WARNING: Precautions before you check the spoiler picture. The screenshots samples is from Dorothy Route from Over Requiemz. If you didn't really care about a bit text dialogue spoiler go ahead then! Don't worry there's no CG spoiler AT ALL!

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Lastly, enjoy learning, translating and playing! I hope this is helpful. 兎に角スレッドをお読みいただき、有難うございます．​

 

[ninnikuryona]

:0000 this looks so cool and useful! not just for otome, but for jp mobage in general woah!! thank you for sharing:D!
but im kinda wondering if its gonna stay free.. seems like a very heavy app to maintain for a long time..;;

 

[usagi-k]

thankyou sm for this ! this app wouldve been heaven for me around 6-8 years ago when i was really into joseimuke games and would play anything and everything even if it didnt have any fan tls available ^^ maybe now i can try out some of the newer ones now with this as the helping hand <3

 

[ruuuiii]

This is so interesting, thank you for sharing! The furigana mode is so useful ><

I usually just used an app called instant translate or screenshots + Google translate, but I'm going to try this!!