HOw TO REad BOoks WIth A PHone CAmera

Your phone camera can turn the printed page of a book into text on your screen that you can enlarge, recolour and hear read aloud. Here is how to get good results, plus some ideas for reading together with a child.

What you need

Seven tips for clear reading

  1. 1. Find good, even light

    Daylight from a window or a bright lamp beside you works best. Avoid lighting from directly above, which casts your phone's shadow over the page.

  2. 2. Hold the phone flat and steady

    Keep the phone parallel to the page, about 20–30 cm away, so a few lines fill the screen. Resting your elbows on the table stops the picture shaking.

  3. 3. Flatten the page

    Text that curves into the spine is harder for any camera to read. Press the book open gently or read the outer part of the page first.

  4. 4. Read a few lines at a time

    Small sections are easier to recognise and easier to follow. Move down the page as you go rather than trying to capture it all at once.

  5. 5. Pause on the bit you're reading

    Freezing the text lets you, or your child, read at your own pace without the picture jumping around.

  6. 6. Make it bigger and use a tint

    Larger text and a coloured background, such as cream or soft blue, are comfortable for many readers. Try a few and keep the one that feels easiest.

  7. 7. Listen along

    Hearing the words read aloud while following them on screen can help with tricky words. Tap a word to check it, then try reading the sentence back together.

Reading together with a child

Let your child hold the book while you hold the phone, or the other way round. Read a line on screen, then look back at the same line in the book, so the phone supports the real page rather than replacing it. Keep sessions short and stop while it's still fun.

What a phone camera can't do

Handwriting, very small print, glossy pages and decorative fonts can be misread, so check anything important against the book. A camera reader is a reading aid. It isn't a phonics course or a treatment for dyslexia. If you're worried about your child's reading, talk to their teacher or a qualified specialist.

Try it with Headstart

Headstart reads text live from your camera, makes the first two letters of every word bold capitals, lets you change the size and background colour, and reads aloud. It works in your phone's browser with a 7-day free trial.

Start your free trial How parents use Headstart