Apple announced the introduction of a new feature called “Live Translation,” which is an innovative feature that works to translate dialogues instantly and directly through the AirPods, eliminating the need for the user to stop talking or check the phone.
Support for the latest devices
This feature is available with the “iOS 26” update, and works on a group of recent AirPods models, including:
* AirPods 4 (with noise cancellation)
* AirPods Pro 2
* AirPods Pro 3
* AirPods Pro Max 2026
This feature also requires the use of “iPhone 15 Pro” phones or later versions, such as the “iPhone 16” and “iPhone 17” series, and the “Apple Intelligence” system must be activated.
Instant translation while maintaining privacy
This feature depends on the processing process that takes place within the device itself, which means that conversations are not sent to any external servers, which in turn enhances the level of privacy for users.
Activation methods
The live translation feature can be activated by:
* Translate application on iPhone and choose “Live Translation”
* Long press on AirPods
* Use voice commands via “Siri”
After activation, the dialogues are translated directly and transmitted through the headphones, with the ability to display the translated text on the phone screen.
Multiple uses
This feature helps facilitate communication in various situations, such as travel, meetings that include multiple languages, or even daily conversations that take place between people speaking different languages, and this reflects Apple’s approach towards integrating artificial intelligence technologies into the user experience.
Initial technical challenges
Despite the official announcement, some users indicated during their initial experiences that there were some technical difficulties and errors when activating the feature in some cases, especially during calls. The upcoming updates are expected to improve performance and increase language support.
This step comes within the framework of increasing competition in the field of simultaneous translation, following initiatives from other companies such as Google, which has developed similar technologies based on artificial intelligence.
