Seeing AI

What Is It, In Plain Words?

Seeing AI is a free Microsoft app that talks about the world around you. Point your phone's camera at text, and it reads it aloud. Point it at a scene, and it describes it.

It was designed for blind and low-vision people, but it's handy for anyone who struggles with small print.

What You Can Use It For

• Post. Read a whole letter aloud.
• Shopping. Scan a barcode to hear what a product is.
• Describing scenes. "A kitchen table with a mug and a newspaper."

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 Seeing AI and check it's made by Microsoft Corporation. Copycat apps exist.
3. Tap Get or Install, then open it.
4. Allow camera access.

Using It

1. Choose a channel along the bottom, such as Short Text, Document or Scene.
2. Point the camera. Short Text starts reading as soon as it sees words.
3. For a full page, use Document and follow the spoken tips to line it up.

Things To Try Typing

Things to try in the app.

What It Costs

It's free. There's no paid version to buy.

If anyone asks you to pay to use it, or to "unlock" it, that's a scam.

Privacy And Safety

• Take care pointing it at bank cards or letters with account numbers, and read Microsoft's privacy notice in the app.
• 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

• Free, with no adverts.
• Spoken guidance helps you line up documents.
• Works with VoiceOver and TalkBack.

Watch-Outs

• Descriptions can be wrong. Check medicine labels with a pharmacist.
• Some features need an internet connection.
• Handwriting is harder to read than print.

Similar Tools

• Be My Eyes: a volunteer or AI describes what your camera sees.
• Lookout: Google's Android app that reads text aloud.
• Google Lens: point your camera at anything to identify it.

Common Questions

Is Seeing AI free?

Yes, it's free.

Does it work on Android?

Yes. It's available on iPhone and Android.

Can it read handwriting?

It can try, but printed text works much better.