Getting Started
Phonetic Formatter converts English text into rule-based IPA transcription. All processing is performed locally on your device.
Basic Workflow
- Enter or paste English text into the input field, or tap the camera button to scan a document or choose a photo for on-device OCR import (English only).
- Select the display format:
- Sentence-level transcription
- Word-aligned transcription (Pro)
- (Optional) Configure left and right IPA wrapping symbols.
- Tap Generate to produce phonetic output.
- Copy results directly, or export (Pro) in supported formats.
Usage Limits
Free Version
- Sentence-level transcription only
- Up to 400 words per conversion
- One generation per day (includes manual input and OCR)
- No export
Pro (Monthly Subscription or Lifetime Purchase)
- Sentence-level and word-aligned transcription
- Document scanning and text extraction (OCR)
- Up to 6,000 words per conversion
- Unlimited generations
- Export support (TXT, DOCX, PDF)
Technical Overview
Phonetic Formatter is a deterministic, rule-based IPA formatting engine designed for accurate processing of real-world English text.
Core characteristics:
- Rule-based sentence boundary detection
- Context-aware tokenization (punctuation, quotation marks, hyphen variants, numeric formats)
- Support for signed numbers and percentage forms
- Unicode-aware text normalization
- Fully offline processing
- On-device document scanning and OCR text extraction (Apple Vision framework, English only)
- Powered by the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary (Carnegie Mellon University)
- Output rendered using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)
All transcription and OCR results are generated locally. No text is uploaded or transmitted.
Exporting Results
Pro users may export generated transcription results in the following formats:
- TXT — Plain text format
- DOCX — Microsoft Word document format
- PDF — Portable Document Format
To export:
- Generate transcription output.
- Tap Export.
- Select the desired format from the system share sheet.
Note: Available export destinations depend on device configuration and installed applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a blue word mean?
Words shown in blue have multiple pronunciations. Tap a blue word to view and select alternative pronunciations.
What happens if a word is not found in the dictionary?
In sentence mode (available to all users), words not found in the CMU dictionary are displayed as-is.
In word-aligned mode (Pro only), missing words appear as placeholder symbols.
In word-aligned mode (Pro only), missing words appear as placeholder symbols.
What is the difference between Free and Pro?
Free:
• 1 transcription per day (copying results does not use this quota)
• Up to 400 words per transcription
• Sentence-level transcription
• No export
Pro:
• Unlimited transcriptions
• Up to 6,000 words per transcription
• Word-aligned & sentence-level transcription
• Scan & import text (OCR)
• Export TXT / DOCX / PDF
• 1 transcription per day (copying results does not use this quota)
• Up to 400 words per transcription
• Sentence-level transcription
• No export
Pro:
• Unlimited transcriptions
• Up to 6,000 words per transcription
• Word-aligned & sentence-level transcription
• Scan & import text (OCR)
• Export TXT / DOCX / PDF
How do I unlock Pro?
Open Settings → Unlock Pro. Choose a monthly subscription (auto-renews, cancel anytime in Apple subscription settings) or a one-time lifetime purchase. Pro stays active until a subscription expires or is refunded.
Can I restore my Pro purchase on another device?
Yes. Use Restore Purchase where available after a purchase flow, or manage through your Apple ID. Ensure you are signed in with the same Apple ID used for the original purchase.
Does the app require an internet connection?
No. All transcription runs entirely on-device. No text is sent to our servers.
Is any user data collected?
The app does not collect or transmit your input text. Processing stays offline on your device. See the Privacy Policy for details.
What dictionary does the app use?
The app uses the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary, a standard reference for North American English. We add custom logic for sentence flow and stress marking.
Does the app support British pronunciation?
The current version supports American English only. British variants are not supported yet.
What is Word-Aligned Transcription?
Word-aligned mode lists each word with its IPA under sentence groupings—useful for teaching, annotation, and study materials. Pro only.
What are the L and R fields for?
L (left) and R (right) optionally delimit the IPA output (e.g., using / / or [ ]). Each field accepts up to two characters. Leave both empty for plain IPA without delimiters.
How does scan / OCR import work?
Tap the camera button to scan a document or choose a photo. Text is recognized on your device (English only) and inserted into the input field. You can edit it before transcribing. No text is sent to our servers.
Troubleshooting
Transcription is not generated
- Confirm text is entered in the input field.
- Verify that usage limits have not been exceeded (Free version).
- Ensure the text is in English.
- Restart the application if necessary.
Scan / OCR does not insert text
- Grant camera or photo library permissions when prompted.
- OCR supports English text only; try a clearer photo or rescan.
- Edit recognized text in the input field before generating transcription.
Export is unavailable
- Export functionality requires Pro.
- Confirm transcription output has been generated.
- Ensure sufficient device storage is available.
Purchase or subscription issues
- Open Settings → Unlock Pro to choose a monthly subscription or lifetime purchase.
- Monthly subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the billing period ends (manage in Apple ID subscription settings).
- Use Restore Purchase if Pro is not recognized.
- Confirm you are signed in with the correct Apple ID.
- Refunds and subscription changes are handled by Apple Support.
App crashes or performance issues
- Restart the device.
- Ensure your iOS version meets App Store requirements.
- Close background applications to free memory.
- Reinstall the app if necessary.
- Contact support if the issue persists.
Contact
For technical questions, bug reports, or feedback:
Email: support@louisbuilds.me
Please include:
- iOS version
- App version
- A brief description of the issue
- (Optional) Example text if related to transcription behavior
Typical response time: 24–48 hours.
Open Email Client