After much fanfare Live Translation came to the iOS in September, however it was restircted within the EU while Apple added the additional engineering work needed to comply with the requirements of the Digital Markets Act.
Apple has recently announced that Live Translation will be coming to the EU regions ‘next month’, so presumably December 2025.
For conversations with someone not using AirPods, users can simply display a live transcription in the other person’s language on their iPhone.
What is Live Translation?
Live Translation on AirPods helps users understand and speak with people in another language naturally and effortlessly. It works on AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation and AirPods Pro 2 and later with the latest firmware when paired with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone running iOS 26 and later.
When two people are speaking, the AirPods will translate conversations in real time. Listeners will hear translations in-ear, while transcriptions appear on the paired iPhone’s display. This makes it possible to both hear and see what’s being said, reducing misunderstandings and allowing for smoother communication.
Live Translation is also integrated into Messages, FaceTime, and Phone, enabling seamless translation whether users are messaging or speaking. Powered by Apple Intelligence, the feature provides real-time translations while protecting users’ privacy with on-device processing.
Live Translation on AirPods is available in English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional Mandarin), Japanese, and Korean when using AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, or AirPods 4 with ANC paired with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone running the latest software. Live Translation on AirPods was delayed for users in the EU due to the additional engineering work needed to comply with the requirements of the Digital Markets Act.
So, get ready EU users, communicating cross-border will get easier than ever sometimebefore Christmas!
via Apple Newsroom
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