Apple is finally bringing its Live Translation feature for AirPods to users in the European Union, with the rollout scheduled for December.
The announcement follows a months-long delay after the feature debuted alongside the AirPods Pro 3 in September.
At launch, Apple introduced Live Translation for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4 (with Active Noise Cancellation), and updated AirPods Pro 2 units.
However, the feature was initially available only in select regions and was missing from the EU due to compliance requirements with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). Apple has now confirmed that extra engineering and regulatory adjustments delayed its European availability.
Live Translation works when AirPods are paired with an Apple-Intelligence enabled iPhone running iOS 26 or later. The tool provides real-time audio translation and transcription powered by on-device processing, ensuring user privacy while delivering fast and accurate translations without needing a constant internet connection.
Initially, the feature supported English (UK and US), French, German, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish. With the latest update, Apple has significantly expanded language support. Once it arrives in the EU, Live Translation will work with English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional Mandarin), Japanese, and Korean.
The feature boosts communication across languages in both personal and professional settings. When both speakers are using compatible AirPods, Active Noise Cancellation helps isolate voices to improve translation accuracy and keep conversations natural. If only one person has AirPods, users can instead display real-time transcriptions directly on their iPhone screen.
Apple has also integrated Live Translation across core communication apps, including Messages, FaceTime, and the Phone app. This means users can receive translated text or voice content seamlessly, whether chatting, calling, or video conferencing.
With Europe set to receive access in December, more users will benefit from one of the most advanced translation systems available in consumer audio devices. Apple’s move further strengthens AirPods’ position as a leading smart-audio platform, especially as the company continues scaling Apple Intelligence features globally.