Live Translation on AirPods Pro 3 enables real-time conversation translation directly in your ear. Powered by Apple Intelligence, this feature helps you communicate across language barriers.
How to Start
- Press and hold both AirPod stems until you hear a chime
- Say "Hey Siri, start Live Translation"
- Access through the Translate app or Control Center
How It Works
Someone speaks to you in a supported language. Your AirPods capture the speech, translate it on-device, and deliver the translation to your ear. You respond in your language, and your iPhone displays or plays the translation for the other person.
When both people wear supported AirPods, each person hears their preferred language seamlessly.
Supported Languages
Chinese (Mandarin, simplified and traditional), English (UK and US), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish.
All languages download to your device. Processing happens locally for privacy.
Requirements
- AirPods Pro 3, Pro 2, or AirPods 4 with ANC
- iPhone 15 Pro or later
- iOS 18.1 or later with Apple Intelligence enabled
Key Advantage
Unlike word-for-word translation apps, Apple's system understands context and translates meaning. Conversations sound more natural.
Limitations
When only one person has AirPods, the other must read translations on screen or listen through speakers. Noisy environments and heavy accents can affect accuracy. Some users report the feature needs refinement for rapid speech.