Live Translation on AirPods: Which AirPods Work and How to Use It
AirPods Live Translation: which AirPods work, the 11 languages, how to start it with the stems, Siri or Translate, and what to do if your AirPods are older.
On this page
- Which AirPods have Live Translation?
- Live translation on AirPods Pro 3
- Live translation on AirPods Pro 2
- Live translation on AirPods 4
- Live translation on AirPods 3 and AirPods 2
- AirPods Live Translation languages
- How to use Live Translation on AirPods
- AirPods translate settings: how to download languages
- Can AirPods translate in real time?
- Can AirPods translate without internet?
- AirPods Live Translation not working?
- Is there a live translation AirPods app?
- Quick answers
Live Translation on AirPods lets you hear another person’s words in your own language, right in your ears. You want to know two things: do your AirPods have it, and how do you turn it on? This guide answers both, model by model.
Apple’s version is built into iOS. It works with five AirPods models, on iPhone 15 Pro or later, in 11 languages. If your AirPods or iPhone are not on that list, there is still a way to get live translation in your ears, and we cover that too.
Short answer: Apple’s Live Translation works with AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2. You also need iPhone 15 Pro or later with iOS 26, Apple Intelligence turned on, the Translate app and the latest AirPods firmware. AirPods 1, 2 and 3, AirPods 4 without ANC, the first AirPods Pro and the first AirPods Max do not get Apple’s feature. For those, a third-party app like Live Translation on Headphones can do live translation on iOS 18 or later.
Which AirPods have Live Translation?
Apple’s support page lists the models by name: “AirPods 4 (ANC), AirPods 5 (both models), AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, or AirPods Max 2.” Every other AirPods model is left out. The table below covers every AirPods model and shows where Apple’s feature works and where our app works.
| AirPods model | Apple Live Translation | Live Translation on Headphones app |
|---|---|---|
| AirPods (1st generation) | No | Yes |
| AirPods (2nd generation) | No | Yes |
| AirPods (3rd generation) | No | Yes |
| AirPods 4 | No | Yes |
| AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation | Yes | Yes |
| AirPods 5 (both models) | Yes | Yes |
| AirPods Pro (1st generation) | No | Yes |
| AirPods Pro 2 | Yes | Yes |
| AirPods Pro 3 | Yes | Yes |
| AirPods Max (original) | No | Yes |
| AirPods Max 2 | Yes | Yes |
“Yes” for Apple’s feature still means you need the right iPhone. Apple requires iPhone 15 Pro or later, iOS 26 or later, Apple Intelligence turned on, the Translate app, and the latest AirPods firmware. The app column needs any iPhone with iOS 18 or later. For the full iPhone list, see Live Translation on iPhone.
Live translation on AirPods Pro 3
AirPods Pro 3 support Apple’s Live Translation. Apple named AirPods Pro 3 when it launched the feature with iOS 26 in September 2025. To start it, press and hold the stem on both AirPods at the same time. Pair them with iPhone 15 Pro or later and keep the firmware up to date.
Live translation on AirPods Pro 2
AirPods Pro 2 support it too, with the latest firmware. The steps are the same as on AirPods Pro 3: press and hold both stems together. Apple’s footnote says it works on “AirPods Pro 2 and later.” The first AirPods Pro from 2019 are not included. Our AirPods Pro 2 guide covers firmware and setup in more detail.
Live translation on AirPods 4
This is where most people get confused. There are two AirPods 4 models. Only AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation support Apple’s Live Translation. The standard AirPods 4 without ANC do not. If you are not sure which one you have, check the box or your receipt for the words “Active Noise Cancellation.” Our AirPods 4 live translation guide walks through it.
Live translation on AirPods 3 and AirPods 2
AirPods 3 and AirPods 2 do not support Apple’s Live Translation, and Apple has not said they will. The same goes for the first AirPods. This is not a setting you can switch on. Apple simply does not list them.
You can still get live translation in these AirPods with a third-party app. The app does the listening and translating on the iPhone, then plays the translation into whatever headphones are connected.
AirPods Live Translation languages
Apple’s Live Translation with AirPods supports 11 languages. It launched in September 2025 with English, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish. iOS 26.1 added Chinese, Italian, Japanese and Korean.
| Language | Apple Live Translation with AirPods | Live Translation on Headphones app |
|---|---|---|
| English (US) | Yes | Yes |
| English (UK) | Yes | Yes |
| Spanish (Spain) | Yes | Yes |
| Spanish (Mexico) | No | Yes |
| French (France) | Yes | Yes |
| German (Germany) | Yes | Yes |
| Italian | Yes | Yes |
| Portuguese (Brazil) | Yes | Yes |
| Chinese (Mandarin, Simplified) | Yes, not in China mainland | Yes |
| Chinese (Mandarin, Traditional) | Yes | Yes |
| Japanese | Yes | Yes |
| Korean | Yes | Yes |
| Turkish | No | Yes |
| Arabic | No | Yes |
Any language not in this table is not supported by either one. See our languages page for the full list and notes on each one.
How to use Live Translation on AirPods
First, make sure you have supported AirPods, iPhone 15 Pro or later on iOS 26, and Apple Intelligence turned on in Settings. Then set up a conversation:
- Put your AirPods in your ears and connect them to your iPhone.
- Open the Translate app and tap Live.
- Pick the language the other person speaks and the language you want to hear.
- Start Live Translation one of the ways below.
- Listen. Your AirPods play the other person’s words in your language.
- Speak your reply. The Live tab shows a transcript, or tap Play to have your iPhone speaker say it in their language.
- Tap the X button to stop.
Apple gives you several ways to start it:
| Way to start | What to do | Works on |
|---|---|---|
| Translate app | Tap Live, then tap Start Translation | All supported AirPods |
| AirPods stems | Press and hold the stem on both AirPods at the same time | AirPods 4 (ANC), AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 2 and later |
| Listening mode button | Press and hold it | AirPods Max 2 |
| Action button | Set the iPhone Action button to Translate, then press it while wearing your AirPods | iPhones with an Action button |
| Siri | Say “Siri, start Live Translation” | All supported AirPods |
Two tips from Apple: in a loud place, hold your iPhone closer to the person speaking so its microphones can help. And if the other person also has supported AirPods with Live Translation on, they can hear your reply in their own ears.
Apple also has Live Translation inside the Phone app and FaceTime calls. Those are separate features with their own language lists. Our Apple Live Translation guide explains all of them.
AirPods translate settings: how to download languages
Download both languages before you need them. Apple’s steps:
- Put your AirPods in and connect them to your iPhone.
- Open Settings and tap the name of your AirPods near the top.
- Tap Live Translation. Apple’s page shows it as “Live Translation (Beta).”
- Select the languages you want to download.
If you don’t see this option, your AirPods, iPhone or firmware may not meet the requirements. Also check that Apple Intelligence is on, and that the Translate app is installed. If you deleted it, download it again from the App Store.
Can AirPods translate in real time?
Yes, on supported models. Apple’s feature listens while the other person talks and plays the translation in your AirPods. You don’t have to pass the phone back and forth. Apple also warns that results “may be inaccurate,” so double-check anything important, like prices, times or addresses.
On AirPods that Apple does not support, AirPods alone cannot translate. AirPods are speakers and microphones. The translating happens on the iPhone, so the app you use decides what is possible.
Can AirPods translate without internet?
Apple says that once you download the languages, “all processing takes place on your iPhone.” That means your conversation is not sent to a server to be translated. Apple’s support article does not say in plain words that the feature works with no connection at all, so we won’t promise it. The safe plan before a trip: download both languages at home over Wi-Fi.
Our app runs speech recognition, translation and voice on the iPhone with Apple’s on-device tools. Once iOS downloads a language, it works offline.
AirPods Live Translation not working?
Check these in order: your AirPods model is on Apple’s list, your iPhone is iPhone 15 Pro or later, iOS 26 or later is installed, Apple Intelligence is on, the Translate app is installed, the AirPods firmware is current, and both languages are downloaded. Region matters too. In the EU, Apple turned it on with iOS 26.2 in December 2025. Simplified Chinese is not offered in China mainland. Our fix guide for AirPods Live Translation not working goes step by step.
Is there a live translation AirPods app?
Apple’s feature runs through its own Translate app, plus Phone and FaceTime calls. There is no separate download, and it only works with the five AirPods models above.
Our app, Live Translation on Headphones, is a separate iPhone app made by Little Tough LLC. It is not made by Apple. It works with AirPods of any generation, Beats and any Bluetooth or wired headphones. They speak, and you hear the translation in your headphones about a second later while they keep talking. It keeps going with the screen locked. To reply, use the Speak tab: say it in your language and your iPhone says it out loud in theirs.
Which one should you use? Be honest with yourself about what you have:
- Use Apple’s feature if you have iPhone 15 Pro or later, supported AirPods, and you only need its 11 languages. It is built in.
- Use the app if your iPhone is older (iPhone XS to iPhone 14, iPhone 15 or 15 Plus, iPhone SE 2nd or 3rd generation), your AirPods are AirPods 2, 3 or 4 without ANC, you use other headphones, you need Turkish, Arabic or Mexican Spanish, or you don’t want to turn on Apple Intelligence.
The app needs iOS 18 or later and works on iPhone only.
Quick answers
What AirPods have Live Translation? AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2, according to Apple. They need the latest firmware and iPhone 15 Pro or later with iOS 26.
Do AirPods 2 have Live Translation? No. AirPods 2 and AirPods 3 are not supported by Apple’s feature. A third-party app like Live Translation on Headphones can play live translations into them.
Is AirPods Live Translation free? Yes. Apple’s feature is built into iOS 26 at no cost. You just need supported AirPods and iPhone.
How do I turn on Live Translation on my AirPods? Turn on Apple Intelligence, download your languages in Settings under your AirPods name, then open Translate, tap Live, and tap Start Translation. You can also press and hold both stems or ask Siri.
Does AirPods Live Translation work with Turkish or Arabic? No. Apple’s AirPods feature does not include Turkish, Arabic or Mexican Spanish. Our app supports all three.
Do I need both people to have AirPods? No. Only you need AirPods. Your reply can be shown as text or played on your iPhone speaker. If the other person also has supported AirPods, they can hear your reply in theirs.
Sources: Apple Support: Use Live Translation with your AirPods, Apple: iOS feature availability, Apple Newsroom, September 2025, Apple Newsroom, November 2025: Live Translation on AirPods expands to the EU, App Store: Live Translation on Headphones.
