Apple is rolling out its real-time “Live Translation” feature for AirPods across Europe, making the functionality available after initial delays attributed to regulatory compliance.
The feature, also known as “Instant Translation,” enables users to translate conversations in real time directly through compatible Apple headphones. Its debut in Europe comes with the release of the first developer beta for iOS 26.2.
General availability for users in the European Union is expected as early as next month, in December. This will apply to compatible AirPods paired with an iPhone 15 Pro or a newer model running iOS 26.2.
The “Live Translation” tool was unveiled in September alongside the AirPods Pro 3. However, it was initially unavailable in European markets. This delay stemmed from regulatory issues related to the European Union’s Digital Markets Act.
Apple had previously stated its commitment to activating the feature in the region swiftly. Its integration into the latest iOS beta represents the first step in fulfilling that promise.
The real-time translation capability is not exclusive to the AirPods Pro 3. It also extends to the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 models equipped with active noise cancellation.
Users can currently test the feature by installing the iOS 26.2 developer beta. The service presently supports a range of languages including Spanish, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese.