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Apple Live Translation Apple Intelligence feature on iPhone and AirPods

By Apple. Sources checked .

Hear in-person conversations translated through AirPods, processed on your iPhone

  • In beta

In beta

Apple labels it 'Live Translation (Beta)' in the AirPods setup steps and 'Available in beta' on its AirPods product page (checked 15 Oct 2026).

What is Apple Live Translation?

Live Translation lets two people who speak different languages talk in person, with translations played through AirPods; someone without AirPods can read a live transcription on the iPhone. It needs an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone and supported AirPods, and Live Translation is also built into Messages, FaceTime and Phone. Languages are downloaded first and processed on the iPhone.

Cost: No separate charge (Comes with the device or service). Booking: No booking. Works on: iPhone, Dedicated device, Inside Apple Intelligence on iPhone, with AirPods.

Best for: iPhone and AirPods owners who want hands-free, private conversation translation while travelling

How Apple Live Translation uses AI

Apple Intelligence translates speech in real time on the iPhone and plays the translation through your AirPods, with Active Noise Cancellation lowering the other person's voice. If both people wear supported AirPods, each hears the conversation in their own language.

Booking: No booking.

Keep in mind

  • Requires an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone (iPhone 15 Pro or later) running iOS 26 or later
  • Requires supported AirPods: AirPods 4 (ANC), AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3 or AirPods Max 2, per Apple's guide
  • Languages with AirPods, per Apple: English (UK, US), French (France), German (Germany), Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish (Spain) and Mandarin Chinese (Simplified and Traditional; not available in China mainland)
  • Apple Intelligence isn't available in all languages or regions, and usage limits may apply
  • Phone and FaceTime translation supports one-on-one calls only

Is Apple Live Translation free? Cost and plans

No separate charge. No separate charge; requires a compatible iPhone and AirPods.

Guides that cover Apple Live Translation

Also from Apple

Apple Live Translation alternatives

Tools for a similar task. Sharing a task does not make them interchangeable, so compare what each one does.

Sources

Sources checked . This listing summarises what the provider and other cited sources say; it is not a hands-on test.

  1. Translate in-person conversations with AirPods (AirPods User Guide)support.apple.com, checked . Supports: Supported AirPods and iPhones, iOS 26, language downloads, on-device processing, regional and usage caveats, 'Live Translation [Beta]' setting
  2. Live Translation on AirPods expands to the EU (Apple Newsroom, Nov 4, 2025)apple.com, checked . Supports: How it works, ANC lowering the other voice, iPhone transcription, Messages/FaceTime/Phone, one-on-one calls, on-device processing, EU expansion
  3. iOS feature availability (Apple)apple.com, checked . Supports: Languages for Live Translation with AirPods; Chinese not available in China mainland
  4. AirPods Pro 3 (Apple)apple.com, checked . Supports: Live Translation footnote: 'Available in beta'
What we could not confirm
  • Whether it works with no internet connection after languages are downloaded is not stated

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