AirPods to Master Live Translation in Multiple Languages Soon

Experience seamless real-time translation with AirPods — now expanding language support for global conversations.

A New Era of AirPods: Real-Time Translation Comes Alive

When Apple unveiled the AirPods Pro 3 last September, it wasn’t just about cutting-edge sound and sleek design—it came with a game-changing feature: live translation. This function is compatible with AirPods 4 featuring active noise cancellation and AirPods Pro 2, but only when paired with an iPhone running iOS 26 or later equipped with Apple Intelligence.

At first, live translation worked with a handful of languages—English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish. But the world is calling for more, and Apple is answering.

Expanding Language Horizons: Coming to Europe This December

Apple recently announced that the live translation feature will debut for European users next month—December. The rollout was slightly delayed due to the extra engineering work required to comply with the Digital Markets Act. Now, the feature will support an impressive lineup of languages:

• English
• French
• German
• Portuguese
• Spanish
• Italian
• Chinese (both simplified and traditional)
• Japanese
• Korean

This broad support means that language barriers will soon become a thing of the past for many AirPods users across Europe.

Privacy Meets Convenience in Real-Time Conversations

What’s truly impressive about this live translation feature is how it balances convenience with privacy. All translation processing happens directly on the device, so your conversations aren’t sent off to the cloud—your privacy remains intact.

When both parties are using AirPods with the live translation feature active on their iPhones, Apple’s active noise cancellation (ANC) steps in to soften the voice of the person you’re speaking with. This clever trick allows users to focus on the translation without losing the natural flow of conversation.

Bridging the Gap: Translation Beyond AirPods Users

But what if the person you're chatting with doesn’t have AirPods? No problem! Your iPhone screen can display a live transcription of their speech.

And Apple hasn’t limited live translation to just voice chats; it’s woven into Messages, FaceTime, and the Phone app. This means whether you’re texting, video calling, or on a phone call, real-time translation is right there, smoothing out any language hurdles.

“Active noise cancellation helps soften the voice of the conversation partner, allowing focus on translation while preserving the natural communication.”
— Apple

The Future of Language in Your Ears

As someone who’s seen AirPods evolve from simple wireless earbuds to intelligent companions, this live translation feature feels like a glimpse into the future. Imagine traveling across countries, chatting with locals, or working in multinational teams—all without fumbling over language barriers.

And with Apple’s dedication to privacy and seamless integration, it’s clear this isn’t just a gimmick; it’s a new way to connect.

FAQ

• Which AirPods models support live translation?
  AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation and AirPods Pro 2 support the live translation feature when connected to an iPhone running iOS 26 or later.
• What languages does live translation cover now?
  It currently supports English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Chinese (simplified and traditional), Japanese, and Korean.
• Does live translation compromise privacy?
  No, all translation processing happens locally on your device, ensuring your conversations remain private.
• Can I use live translation if my conversation partner doesn’t have AirPods?
  Yes, your iPhone can display live transcription of their speech on the screen, bridging the gap.
• Is live translation integrated with messaging apps?
  Yes, the feature is built into Messages, FaceTime, and the Phone app for smooth translation across communication types.

Enhance your music and tech enthusiasm by shopping your favorite album cover posters at our store for a perfect blend of style and nostalgia. Browse the collection here.