Step by step
How to listen to articles offline on iPhone
Most text-to-speech apps need a connection, because the voice is generated on a server. If the voice runs on your phone instead, an article you saved yesterday can play on a plane, in the subway or on a hike with no signal.
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Why most read-aloud apps need the internet
Many apps send your text to a server, generate the audio there and stream it back. That's why they stop working without signal, and why some of them count credits or words: every sentence costs them money to generate.
Get ready while you're online
- 1
Download the voices once
The first time you open Leola, it downloads the voice model. It's a one-time download: use Wi-Fi.
- 2
Save the articles you want
Open each article in Safari, tap Share, then Leola. The text is stored on your iPhone, in your library.
- 3
Line them up
Add them to the queue or to a playlist like For the flight.
- 4
Go offline
Turn on airplane mode and press play. The voice is generated on the phone as it reads.
Tips for a long trip
- Add articles before you leave. Sharing a page needs a connection, because Safari has to load it first.
- Use the sleep timer if you plan to doze off on a night flight.
- Lock the screen. Playback keeps going, with controls on the lock screen.
- Keep it as audio. With Leola Plus you can download a reading as an M4A file, for you, and play it without the app.
Generating voices on the phone uses some battery. On a long day without a charger, lowering the screen brightness or locking the phone while you listen helps.
Your reading, ready for the next flight
Leola is coming soon to iPhone. Join the waitlist and we'll email you the day it's out.
Questions
Does Leola really work in airplane mode?
Yes, after the voice model has been downloaded once. Everything you've already added to your library plays offline.
Can I add a new article while offline?
Not from the web, because Safari can't load the page. You can paste text you already have, though.
How much space does it use?
The voice model is a one-time download, and the articles themselves are only text. Downloaded audio files take more space.