AI Calls: phone calls with live translation

The person you call does not need VocaLingo. They get an ordinary phone call on their mobile or landline, and VocaLingo sits between you: it listens to both sides, shows the translation on your screen and, if you want, speaks it aloud.

Which call modes are there

AI Calls has two modes. You pick one in the Call Mode sheet before each call, and it stays the same until the call ends.

AI Assistant is described in detail in AI Assistant mode during calls.

What you need before the first call

• A signed-in account. Guests see the message "AI calls are available only for users with a linked account" and are asked to sign in with email, Google or Apple.

• Tokens for at least one minute of the call. With less, the call does not start and the app offers to top up.

• Microphone access and a stable internet connection.

You don't need to buy or verify a phone number. Every account has the shared VocaLingo number, and calls go out from it by default. You can also verify your own number so the other person sees it: see My Numbers.

How to make a call

1. On the Tools tab, open AI Calls.

2. On the Dial tab, enter the number with the country code, or tap Paste if you copied it. You can also pick someone on the Contacts tab.

3. Tap Call. The Call Mode sheet opens.

4. Choose Translation or AI Assistant and set the languages.

5. Under Call from number, choose which number the call comes from.

6. Check Estimated call price at the bottom and tap Call.

The app remembers the mode, languages and audio settings of your last call and suggests them next time.

How to set up the Translation mode

In Translation mode you choose My language and Their language (28 languages to choose from), then decide what each side hears.

Both settings start at Original. If the other person doesn't understand your language, switch Outgoing audio to Voice-over translation, otherwise they will only hear you in your language. Each voice-over adds about 500 ms of delay and raises the price per minute.

What you see during the call

The call screen shows the conversation as it goes: what the other person said, the translation or the AI hint. In Translation mode you can type a phrase in the Translate a phrase... field to get it translated. Next to the call timer at the top are three buttons: the keypad (for phone menus like "press 1"), mute and end call.

Don't switch to another app while the call is still connecting: the call is cancelled. Once the other person answers, you can switch apps and the call usually keeps going.

How much a call costs

AI Calls are paid in tokens per minute. The price depends on the country and operator of the number you call and on how many voice-overs you turn on. The exact price for your number appears in Estimated call price before you call.

Tokens are taken every 30 seconds while you talk. When about a minute is left, the app warns "Balance running out! ~1 min left". When the balance runs out, you see "Balance depleted. Call ending in 30 sec", and then the call ends. The cost of each call is shown in its details on the History tab. Prices of other tools are in token pricing for each tool.

Where to find past calls

All calls are on the History tab inside AI Calls. Open a call to see its status, duration, cost, mode, the recording and the translations or hints shown during the conversation. From there you can call the number again or delete the call; the trash icon at the top of the History tab deletes all calls at once.

Is the call recorded

Yes. Every AI call is recorded in both modes, and there is no switch to turn recording off. The recording appears in the call details on the History tab shortly after the call ends; until then you see "Processing recording...".

The recording is saved as separate tracks, so you can keep only the parts you need:

To choose tracks:

1. Open the call on the History tab and find the Recording block.

2. Tap Choose tracks for the recording and tick the tracks you want. All tracks except sound effects are on by default.

3. Wait for "Building recording..." to finish and play the result. To save it, tap the button on the right of the player: share on iPhone and Android, download on the web.

For example, keep only Remote voice to hear the other person in the original, or turn off both TTS tracks to get the conversation without the AI voice. Deleting a call in History removes it from the list together with its recording.

What AI Calls can't do

• Translate calls in WhatsApp, Telegram or other messengers. AI Calls work over the regular phone network. What to do instead: translating WhatsApp and Telegram calls.

• Receive calls. Calls only go out from VocaLingo, and nobody can call you back through the app.

• Sell you a virtual number. The app has no number purchase.

• Replace an emergency call. Dial emergency numbers from your phone's own dialer.

If a call doesn't connect or drops, see AI call won't connect or ends.