Get back to speaking.

Course access: version 1.1 and upcoming 1.2

The current App Store release, version 1.1, includes N5 through N1 without purchases. Version 1.2 is being prepared and is not yet publicly available.

In version 1.2, N5 remains free. New users can unlock N4, N3, N2 and N1 separately with one-time App Store purchases. There is no subscription, and buying one level does not require or include another. Prices are shown in your App Store currency before you confirm.

Users who obtained the earlier free App Store version will keep their included courses. Version 1.2 checks Apple’s verified original-download record. If access is missing, connect to the internet and use Settings → Courses → Restore Purchases with the Apple account that originally obtained the app. You can also restore from a course purchase screen. TestFlight uses Apple’s test environment and does not establish original App Store download eligibility.

Course access and lesson progress are separate. A gray Foundation within an available course opens after its previous lesson is completed. A purchase never completes lessons, and purchase changes do not erase study history. iCloud progress alone does not grant a purchase.

The permission screen does not continue

1. Open iPhone Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone and make sure Kanji Aloud is enabled.
2. Open Privacy & Security → Speech Recognition and enable Kanji Aloud for Japanese voice commands.
3. Return to the app and reopen the session. Do not repeatedly switch the permissions off and on while the session is open.
4. If access is already enabled but the app still waits, fully close the app once and reopen it.

The current release candidate includes a non-blocking recovery route so the library remains reachable even if a permission request stalls.

The app is not hearing my answer

• Wait for the short “speak now” cue and the listening state before answering.
• Keep the first sound of the reading clear; do not begin while the preceding cue is still playing.
• Check that the expected input device is shown at the bottom of the session screen.
• Disconnect and reconnect Bluetooth headphones if iOS selected the wrong microphone.
• Move away from wind, loud music, or audio playing from another device.

Short readings are difficult

One- and two-mora answers can be difficult for general transcription systems. Kanji Aloud therefore uses a bundled neural network with CTC target scoring. Instead of transcribing unrestricted Japanese, it asks a narrower question: how closely does this speech sound match the reading expected for the current card?

Choose Precise for the normal tested match or Flexible when a beginner needs more tolerance for accent and microphone variation. Both choices use the same on-device model; they change only how strong the match must be.

iCloud says Local only, or Game Center is unavailable

You can keep studying. Local progress and the local achievement board continue to work. For restore/sync, confirm the iPhone is signed into iCloud and that iCloud Drive is enabled. For social boards, read the explanation in the Board or Settings and choose Enable Game Center, then complete Apple’s sign-in prompt if needed.

Game Center sharing is off until you enable it inside Kanji Aloud. Apple receives the listed milestone percentages and aggregate scores, which may appear with your Game Center player identity on global leaderboards. Disable sharing in Kanji Aloud Settings to stop future uploads. Previously submitted scores remain managed by Apple.

Private learning history is not published to a public CloudKit database. In version 1.1, all N5–N1 courses are included without purchases; normal learning-path progression still applies.

Reference pronunciation audio

Japanese reference-pronunciation audio included with Kanji Aloud was generated using VOICEVOX Nemo. The audio is prepared in advance and bundled with the app; the VOICEVOX engine and voice-generation service do not run on the iPhone.

VOICEVOX Nemo is used under its official usage terms. VOICEVOX and VOICEVOX Nemo are independent projects and are not affiliated with or responsible for Kanji Aloud.

Using the app while moving

Hands-free operation reduces touching, but it does not remove distraction. Do not read the screen, adjust the phone, or wear isolating audio where attention to traffic, terrain, equipment, or other people is required. Pause or end the session first.

Still need help?

Email activevision2021@gmail.com or call +971 58 112 1629. Include the app version, iPhone model, iOS version, selected matching style, expected reading, and what appeared on screen.