iPhone and Android App Translation

For iPhone and Android app developers, myGengo is an intuitive and innovative way to translate and localize your application. Since iPhone and Android apps are released worldwide, it is beneficial for applications to be released in several different languages.

By translating your app, you will be able to:

Increase your reach and visibility
Expand your user base
Multiply the number of app downloads

How to Expand your Market

Translating your iPhone or Android App into one or several foreign languages is an easy way to grow your revenue without adding new features or writing new code. When you consider that in 2010, over 8 million iPhones and Android-powered devices were sold in Japan alone, translating your app description for the largest foreign language app stores (like the Japanese iPhone App store or Android Market) can literally bring your app to millions of new potential customers. Not only that, but by showing an appreciation for your audience's primary language, you are likely to be rewarded with greater loyalty and affinity for your apps.

How to Get Started

Translating your iPhone or Android App involves translating your app description, and translating your app's user interface. If you've never translated or localized an app before, the idea of dealing with all of those tiny snippets of text can be intimidating. First, there's the technical challenge—finding a good management tool for your language files. As changing formats and dealing with Excel is messy, you'll want something that seamlessly supports either your Apple String files (for iPhones) or XML files (for Androids). Second, there's the linguistic challenge—finding a good language service provider that understands your app, and knows how to translate not just the text itself, but also translate the feel of your app.

String is Tailored For Your App

myGengo's free localization tool, String, is built to handle both the technical and linguistic side of translating your app. String supports the seamless import and export of both Apple String and XML files allowing you to get started and visualize your project in just minutes. String also allows you to invite users from either your translation or development team with plenty of collaboration-friendly features. Don't have your own translators? Have no fear, you can order translations directly from myGengo's team of over 2,000 translators. With prices starting at just $.05/word, expanding your app's borders has never been easier.

Two Apps That Have Gone Global With myGengo

Developers for a variety of mobile apps—from organizational tools to games—have entrusted myGengo with the translation of their app descriptions and interfaces. Here are just a couple of examples:

1) Spreadsong—Spreadsong is the creator of the #1 book app for iOS, with more than 2.7 million downloads. With the help of myGengo, they translated their app into seven languages and were able to capitalize on foreign markets.

Here are some of the benefits of using myGengo that they experienced:

Increased the number of downloads
Managed their translation project easily and effectively
Reduced app update times

Like most app developers, Spreadsong frequently made updates to their content, and loved that after making updates to their source text, translations would be updated in their language files within an hour.

2) Cross Borders—Cross Borders created an app called Samurai Art, which contains a library of art from feudal Japan coupled with historical descriptions. By turning to myGengo's Business level, Cross Borders was able to:

Receive high-quality translations despite having a tricky subject matter
Meet tight deadlines—all translations from myGengo were delivered on time
Use modern technology to bring traditional Japanese culture to a foreign audience

(Links to the full case studies are provided in the Useful Resources section below)

Types of iPhone and Android App Translation

›Localization Service

Useful Resources

Case Study: Spreadsong
The full case study on how myGengo helped Spreadsong capitalize on foreign-language markets.
Case Study: Cross Borders
Have a look at how Cross Borders was able to spread knowledge of traditional Japanese culture using modern technology.
Case Study: Producteev
Check out how this productivity app went global using myGengo's String tool.
Translate your App for free
Have absolutely no budget? Have no fear, this blog post is filled with tips for localizing your app for nothing.
Japan iPhone craze draws attention of global app developers
A cool article on how Hawken King, developer of Facemakr, took advantage of the burgeoning Japanese smartphone market.