Apple Live Translation with AirPods — EU availability limited at launch
Apple’s new Live Translation feature for AirPods, introduced with iOS 26 and showcased for the AirPods Pro 3, will not be available to users located in the European Union or using Apple accounts registered in the EU. Apple’s feature-availability page notes the restriction but gives no specific public reason.
What the feature does
- Real-time conversation translation via AirPods (audio heard by both participants if both have AirPods).
- If the other person doesn’t have AirPods, translations appear or are spoken via the iPhone.
- Introduced with iOS 26 and supported on iPhone 15+ and the AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods 4.
Why the EU is excluded
Apple hasn’t given an official reason. Reporting and context point to the EU’s strict AI and data-privacy rules — notably the AI Act and GDPR — which impose rigorous requirements for AI-powered services that process speech and personal data. Regulators may require additional safeguards, local data handling, or approvals before launch in the bloc.
Supported languages and future additions
- Initial support: English, French, German, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish.
- Planned additions: Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese (later in 2025).
Devices and requirements
- Requires an iPhone 15 or later running iOS 26 (Apple Intelligence features enabled).
- Supported earphones: AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4.
Buy / More info
Official Apple feature details: Apple iOS feature availability
AirPods Pro 3 on Amazon: Search Apple AirPods Pro 3 (Amazon, affiliate)
What this means for users
If you live in the EU or use an EU Apple ID while in the EU, you won’t have Live Translation at launch. Users visiting the EU from other regions or with non-EU accounts may still be able to use it. Apple has not shared a timeline for EU availability.
What do you think — should Apple wait for regulatory sign-off or release first and adapt later? Share your view in the comments.
Source: Apple feature availability page and reporting from multiple reputable outlets.