Getting Started
Welcome to MenuLens! This guide will walk you through your first menu recognition in just a few minutes.
Install
Search "MenuLens" in the App Store or use the download link on our website. After installation, open the app.
Requirements: iOS 17.0 or later, iPhone or iPad.
Sign In
MenuLens supports Apple Sign In only:
- Read and check the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy on the login page
- Tap "Sign in with Apple"
- Authenticate with Face ID / Touch ID
The process never reveals your real email (Apple provides an anonymous forwarding option).
Grant Camera Access
The first time you open the Camera tab, the system will ask permission to access camera and photo library:
- Camera: To photograph menus
- Photos: To pick existing menu photos from your library
If you previously denied access, you can re-enable it under iOS Settings → MenuLens.
Photograph the Menu
In the Camera tab:
- Fill the viewfinder with the menu, keeping text horizontal
- The app highlights detected text regions in real time with yellow boxes
- Tap the shutter button at the bottom to capture
Single capture and multi-shot stitching (for large multi-page menus) are both supported.
Choose Target Language
After capture, the app asks which language to translate the menu into (defaults to your system language). You can switch any time and the result will reload.
Browse Dishes
Once recognition completes, you land on the dish list:
- Tap any dish for an AI-generated introduction (ingredients, preparation, pairing suggestions)
- Tap "AI Recommendation" at the bottom to let the model suggest a combo based on your preferences and party size
Next Steps
- Menu Translation — Target language, region, preferences
- Dish Details & Recommendations — Detail page and recommendation flow
- FAQ — Capture tips, recognition accuracy, subscription