Youdao Translate's desktop app is useful when you read documents, browse foreign pages, work with PDFs, or need hover translation outside a phone screen. This page is a third-party guide, not the official Youdao website, and focuses on platform choice, source checks, setup, and common permission issues.
💻 Choose Your Platform
Windows
Common Windows desktop environments
Installer size depends on the current download page
macOS
macOS desktop environments
Compatibility depends on the current download page
📋 System Requirements
| Requirement | Windows | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit or later | macOS 11 Big Sur or later |
| CPU | Intel Core i3 / AMD Ryzen 3 or better | Intel Core i5 / Apple M1 or better |
| RAM | 4 GB (8 GB recommended) | 4 GB (8 GB recommended) |
| Disk space | Keep enough room for install and cache | Keep enough room for install and cache |
| Network | Required for online translation; offline mode available | Same |
📥 Installation Steps (Windows)
Download the installer
Visit the download page, choose Windows, and verify the source before running the downloaded installer.
Run the installer
Double-click the .exe file and follow the setup wizard. If Windows or security software warns you, check the file source before allowing it.
Sign in (optional)
Sign in with a Youdao or NetEase account to sync your vocabulary lists and settings across devices. Basic translation works without an account.
Enable hover translation
Go to Settings and turn on "Hover Translation." Now selecting any text in any app — Word, PDFs, browsers — triggers an instant translation popup.
🌟 Desktop-Exclusive Features
- Hover translation: Select text anywhere on screen — any app, any window — for an instant popup translation
- Screenshot translation: Keyboard shortcuts can capture on-screen text, useful for images, web snippets, and PDFs that cannot be copied
- Document translation: Upload PDF/Word/Excel/PPT and get back a fully translated file with original formatting intact
- Floating widget: Persistent mini-button on your desktop for quick translation access
- Full dictionary panel: Collins English-Chinese dictionary with pronunciation, example sentences, and collocations
- Vocabulary management: Review and export vocabulary lists collected on mobile or desktop
💡 Installation Tips
- Windows: Install to the default path; avoid placing it in the root of C:\
- macOS: If you see "cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified," go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Allow Anyway
- To prevent auto-start on boot, disable "Launch at Login" in the app's Settings panel
- Hover translation may not work in some encrypted apps or games due to system permission restrictions — this is expected behavior