Apple delays Live Translation Feature for AirPods in the European Union
CUPERTINO, Calif. – Apple’s highly anticipated Live Translation feature for AirPods will not be available to users with Apple Europe accounts while located in Europe, the company confirmed via its iOS feature availability page. The delay appears linked to the European Union’s stringent new regulations surrounding artificial intelligence and data privacy.
The live Translation feature, unveiled at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) and highlighted during Tuesday’s “Awe Dropping” event, allows for real-time conversation translation between users wearing AirPods. When both parties have AirPods, the translated conversation is heard directly. For those communicating with someone without AirPods, the translation appears on the user’s iPhone, offering both text and audio options.The feature is slated to launch with iOS 26 on September 15 and will be compatible with iPhone 15 and later models running Apple intelligence, as well as the AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods 4.
Currently, Live Translation supports English, French, German, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish, with plans to add italian, Japanese, Korean, and simplified Chinese in 2025. Apple’s documentation suggests the feature will function for north American and other users visiting the EU, and potentially vice-versa, but is restricted for those operating with an Apple Europe account within the EU.
The delay likely stems from the EU’s AI Act, which places strict regulations on “high-risk use cases” of artificial intelligence, especially those concerning user privacy and potential discrimination. EU regulators might potentially be seeking assurances that data generated during Live Translation sessions is securely stored and remains within the bloc.
