System requirements
Zen Reader runs on Windows, Android, iPhone, iPad and Mac. It installs and works on the minimum versions below — a newer version simply unlocks a few extra conveniences.
Minimum & recommended by device
| Device | Minimum | Recommended for best experience |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Windows 10, version 1809 (build 17763) — 64-bit, 32-bit or ARM | Windows 11Rounded, modern visuals and generally faster, newer hardware. |
| Android | Android 6.0 Marshmallow (API 23) | Android 13 or newerAdds fully on-device live listening — no internet needed to score a reading. |
| iPhone & iPad | iOS / iPadOS 12.2 | iOS / iPadOS 15 or newerEnables Sign in with Apple and on-device speech recognition. |
| Mac | macOS 12 Monterey | macOS 13 or newerOn a recent Mac (Apple silicon or Intel). |
Below its minimum, Zen Reader can’t be installed on that device. On the minimum version everything works — the notes below explain the few features that need a newer version, and always fall back gracefully.
You’ll also need
- A free Zen Reader account — one family account, shared across every device.
- An internet connection — to sign in, sync your library, and use the cloud-assisted features (transcription on some devices, book text recognition and AI helpers). Once a book is on the device, reading practice works offline where the device supports on-device listening.
- A microphone — so Zen Reader can listen to your child read aloud.
- A camera (phones & tablets) — optional, to scan a paper book. On Windows and Mac you import a PDF or photo instead.
- About 300–400 MB of free storage on Windows — the offline reading, voice and text-recognition models download the first time you use them.
Features that improve with a newer version
Everything below works on the minimum version — it just changes how the feature runs, and steps down automatically when the device can’t do it.
| Feature | Best on | On older versions |
|---|---|---|
| Live word-by-word listening on Android | Android 13 or newer (runs on the device, works offline) | Uses cloud transcription instead — needs an internet connection. |
| On-device speech on iPhone & iPad | iOS / iPadOS 13 or newer | Uses cloud transcription instead — needs an internet connection. |
| Sign in with Apple | iPhone / iPad on iOS 13 or newer | Standard email or web sign-in is used instead. (On Mac, web sign-in is always used.) |
| Fingerprint / face unlock (app lock) | Any device with fingerprint or face hardware — Windows Hello, Touch ID / Face ID, or Android biometrics | Falls back to a numeric PIN. |
| Appearance | Windows 11 — softer, rounded, modern look | Windows 10 shows a simpler background. No feature is lost. |
A note for Windows
The Windows app is a normal signed download — the .NET runtime and everything it needs are bundled in, so there’s nothing extra to set up. On a rare, freshly-installed PC that’s missing the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable (most machines already have it), install it from aka.ms/vs/17/release/vc_redist.x64.exe if the app reports a missing component.
Have a device that isn’t listed, or a question about whether Zen Reader will run for you? Email hello@zenreader.co — see also Support.