Aira

What Is It, In Plain Words?

Aira connects people who are blind or have low vision to a trained, professional "visual interpreter" by live video. You point your phone's camera, or a pair of smart glasses, and the interpreter tells you what they can see, reads things out and helps you get the job done.

The app is called Aira Explorer. It also has a free AI tool, Access AI: take or upload a photo and it describes it in seconds, and you can ask a person to check the answer. Aira is free to use at many partner places, there are free minute offers, and there are monthly plans for regular use.

What You Can Use It For

• Reading the post. Hold up a letter or a bill, and the interpreter reads it out and helps you find the parts that matter, like a due date.
• Shopping and travel. Find the right aisle, check a price, or get from the check-in desk to your gate. Aira is free at more than 50 partners, including airports, universities and big shops.
• Screens and labels at home. Use Access AI to read a thermostat, an oven display, a menu or a packet.

Getting Started Step By Step

On A Phone Or Tablet

1. Open the App Store (iPhone and iPad) or Google Play (Android).
2. Search for Aira Explorer and check it's made by Aira. Copycat apps exist.
3. Tap Get or Install, then open it.
4. Sign up, then choose a free offer, an Access Partner location or a personal plan. Tap the button to connect to a visual interpreter. You don't need to book, and the service runs around the clock.

Using Access AI

1. Open the Access AI part of the app.
2. Take a photo, or pick one from your camera roll.
3. Listen to the description, then ask follow-up questions if you like.
4. Not sure it's right? Use Aira Verify to have a human interpreter check it.

With Meta AI Glasses

1. Set up your glasses in the Meta AI app first.
2. In the Aira Explorer app, connect your glasses.
3. Start a call. The interpreter sees through the glasses' camera, so your hands stay free.

Things To Try Typing

Things you might ask a visual interpreter, or Access AI:

What It Costs

You can start free. Your first call is free and unlocks 60 free minutes to use in your first month. Calls at Access Partner locations are free, and Aira's own tips page lists a free call of up to five minutes every 48 hours for people without a plan. Access AI is free for everyone.

Prices checked 22 October 2026 on the official Aira subscriptions page. Prices can change, so check there before you pay.

Bigger Gold and Platinum plans are listed too. Aira says these are reduced rates for personal use only. To subscribe you call Aira's customer care team: 1-800-835-1934 in the USA and Canada, or 0800 046 5668 in the UK.

Privacy And Safety

• What it keeps. Aira records the sound and video of most calls, and keeps written chats, including Access AI chats. It uses them to check quality, train its staff and improve the service.
• You can ask the interpreter to stop recording. Aira says it will generally do so, and delete what was already recorded on that call.
• Build AI is an optional programme that shares call recordings with Aira's AI partners in return for free minutes. You don't have to join, and members can opt out of single calls in Call History.
• Think twice before letting an interpreter see card details, passwords or medical papers. Cover anything they don't need to see.
• Never type passwords, PINs, bank or card numbers, your National Insurance number (UK) or Social Security number (USA).

Good Points And Watch-Outs

Good Points

• Real, trained people, available around the clock with no booking.
• Access AI is free for everyone, with a person on hand to check it.
• Works hands-free with Meta's AI glasses.

Watch-Outs

• Once the free offers run out, minutes cost money, and plans cost more than AI-only apps.
• Many free Access Partner locations are in the USA, such as Walmart, Starbucks and Target. Check the list in the app for places near you.
• AI descriptions can be wrong. Ask a person to check anything important, like medicine labels.

Similar Tools

• Be My Eyes: a volunteer or AI describes what your camera sees.
• Seeing AI: reads text and describes scenes aloud.
• Ray-Ban Meta glasses: glasses with Meta AI, a camera and speakers built in.

Common Questions

Is Aira free?

You can start free. Your first call unlocks 60 free minutes for your first month, calls at Access Partner locations are free, and the Access AI photo tool is free for everyone. Regular use needs a plan, from $26 a month in the USA or £22 in the UK.

Is Aira a real person or an AI?

Both. Calls connect you to a trained human visual interpreter. Access AI is a separate AI tool that describes photos, and a person can check its answer.

Does Aira work in the UK?

Yes. Aira lists prices in pounds and has a free UK customer care number, 0800 046 5668.

Do I need smart glasses?

No. Aira works with a smartphone or a computer. Meta's AI glasses are an optional hands-free way to use it.