How to use Hermes Translator
A practical guide to installing Hermes, choosing languages, speaking naturally, connecting with another device, and fixing common setup issues.
Quick start
- Install Hermes. Download Hermes Translator from the App Store on an iPhone running iOS 18 or later.
- Grant permissions. Allow microphone and speech recognition access when prompted. Peer conversations may also need Bluetooth and local network permissions.
- Choose languages. Select the language you speak and the language you want Hermes to translate into.
- Download language support. If iOS asks to download language resources, connect to the internet and complete the download before relying on offline use.
- Start talking. Use push-to-talk for controlled turns or continuous mode for hands-free conversation.
Use one-device translation
Local translation is best when two people are sharing one phone or when you want a quick phrase translated aloud.
Push-to-talk
Press and hold while speaking, then release to translate. This is useful in noisy environments or when you want precise control over each turn.
Continuous speech
Let Hermes listen for natural pauses and translate completed utterances. This is useful for longer, hands-free conversations.
Start a two-device peer conversation
- Both people open Hermes and go to the nearby or peer conversation flow.
- Each person chooses the language they will speak.
- Keep devices near each other and make sure Bluetooth and local networking are enabled.
- Connect from the nearby device list or use the QR join option when available.
- Speak normally. Hermes translates locally and sends the translated text directly to the other device for playback.
Tip: If discovery fails, move devices closer together, toggle Bluetooth, and verify local network permissions in Settings.
Important settings
Speech input mode
Switch between push-to-talk and continuous speech from Settings or conversation settings.
Auto-play translations
Choose whether translated messages should automatically play aloud or wait for manual playback.
Conversation history
Review saved conversations locally on your device when history access is enabled.
Troubleshooting checklist
- Confirm the device is running iOS 18 or later.
- Allow microphone and speech recognition permissions.
- Download required language support before going offline.
- For peer conversations, enable Bluetooth and local network permissions on both devices.
- If audio does not play, check silent mode, volume, and whether auto-play is disabled.
- For more answers, visit the FAQ.