How can we help?
Most answers are below. If you're stuck, email us. A real person reads every message, and we reply in English or Chinese, usually within two business days.
Getting started
Which iPhones can run Sunvi?
Sunvi needs an iPhone running iOS 26 or later.
Where is Sunvi available?
Sunvi is available on the App Store in most countries and regions. For now it isn't available in mainland China or in the European Union.
Do I need to create an account?
No. Sunvi never asks for your name, email or password. It creates an anonymous ID in the background so your daily allowance and subscription work.
Why does Sunvi ask for the microphone and camera?
The microphone is used when you speak or use Talk, and the camera when you translate signs, menus and labels. Sunvi only asks when you first use those features. Speech and images are processed on your iPhone and are not uploaded.
If you said no earlier, open the iPhone Settings app, scroll to Sunvi and turn on Microphone, Speech Recognition or Camera.
How do I download languages for offline use?
When you pick a language pair, Sunvi offers to download it if it isn't on your iPhone yet. You can manage downloaded languages in Sunvi under Settings › Languages & Offline, or in the iPhone Settings app under Apps › Translate › Downloaded Languages.
Translating
What's the difference between on-device and AI translation?
Sunvi first translates on your iPhone using Apple's translation, which is fast, works offline and has no daily limit. When you're online, it can refine the result with AI, which handles slang, tone and context better. AI translations count toward the free daily allowance.
AI translation (Google Gemini) is optional. Sunvi asks the first time you open it, and you can turn it off anytime in Settings › AI-Enhanced Translation (Google Gemini). When it's off, everything is translated on your iPhone with Apple's on-device translation.
How does Talk mode work?
Talk splits the screen in two so you and the other person can each read your own side. Tap your button to speak, or let Sunvi detect which language the other person is using.
The camera isn't picking up text.
Hold your iPhone steady about a forearm's length away, make sure the text is in focus and well lit, and avoid strong reflections. Very stylized fonts and handwriting are harder to read.
A translation looks wrong.
Machine translation isn't perfect. Try shorter sentences, check that the right languages are selected, and turn on your connection so Sunvi can use AI translation. For anything important, such as medical or legal matters, confirm with a person.
When does my free allowance reset?
At midnight in your iPhone's time zone. The free plan includes 20 AI translations, 5 photo translations, 10 minutes of Talk and 3 minutes of Live camera each day. On-device text and voice translation is always unlimited.
Subscriptions and billing
How do I cancel my subscription?
On your iPhone, open Settings, tap your name, tap Subscriptions, choose Sunvi, then tap Cancel Subscription. Cancel at least 24 hours before the renewal date to avoid the next charge. You keep Pro until the end of the period you paid for.
How does the free trial work?
Only the Trip Pass ($3.99 a week) includes a 3-day free trial. The monthly ($7.99) and yearly ($39.99) plans don't have a trial, and if you've used the trial before it isn't offered again. Prices are in US dollars; the App Store shows your local price. If you don't cancel at least 24 hours before the trial ends, it becomes a paid weekly subscription. You can cancel during the trial and still use it until it ends.
How do I get a refund?
Apple handles all payments and refunds. Request a refund at reportaproblem.apple.com and sign in with the Apple Account you used to subscribe.
I got a new iPhone. How do I restore Pro?
Sign in with the same Apple Account, open Sunvi, go to Settings › Subscription and tap Restore Purchases.
Can my family share my subscription?
No. Each Sunvi Pro subscription is for the Apple Account that bought it.
Privacy and data
Do you store what I translate?
No. When AI-Enhanced Translation is on, text passes through our server to Google's Gemini API and back. Sunvi doesn't save it, and Google doesn't use it to train AI. Google may keep request logs for a limited time to detect abuse. Your history, saved phrases and allergy card stay on your iPhone. Read the Privacy Policy for details.
Is my allergy card private?
Yes. Your allergens, diet restrictions and severity are stored only on your iPhone and are never sent to Google Gemini. If you add a custom note, only that one sentence is sent for translation (when AI-Enhanced Translation is on), without any of your other allergy information.
How do I delete my data?
Deleting the app removes your history, saved phrases, allergy card and settings from your iPhone. Usage records on our server are deleted automatically after 90 days. To ask us to delete them sooner, email support@sunvi.app.