AirPods Live Translation Not Working? 11 Checks and Fixes, in Order

AirPods Live Translation not working is almost always a requirement problem, not a broken feature. Apple’s Live Translation needs the right AirPods, the right iPhone, Apple Intelligence turned on, the Translate app, and two downloaded languages. Miss one, and the option doesn’t show up or the stems do nothing.

The checks below go in the order that fixes the most people first. Find your line in the table, then jump to the fix. If your device can’t run the feature at all, the last section covers what to use instead.

Quick checklist: why Live Translation isn’t working on your AirPods

1. Your AirPods model isn’t supported

Apple lists five models: AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2. AirPods 2, AirPods 3, the original AirPods Pro and Max, and AirPods 4 without noise cancellation are left out. No update adds it to them.

AirPods 4 comes in two versions with the same name, and only the one with Active Noise Cancellation works. Our AirPods 4 Live Translation guide shows how to tell them apart. If you have AirPods Pro 2, see Live Translation on AirPods Pro 2.

2. Your iPhone doesn’t support Apple Intelligence

The translation runs on your iPhone, so it must support Apple Intelligence. Apple lists iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 16 models or later. The regular iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, iPhone 14 and older, and iPhone SE can’t run it. Check your model in Settings > General > About. Our Live Translation on iPhone guide lists every model.

3. Your iPhone isn’t on the latest iOS

Live Translation with AirPods arrived with iOS 26. Apple says your iPhone needs the latest version of iOS. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install anything waiting. In the EU, the feature arrived with iOS 26.2.

4. Your AirPods firmware is out of date

Apple also requires the latest AirPods firmware. To see your version, open Settings, tap Bluetooth, tap the Info button next to your AirPods, and scroll to About.

There is no update button. Apple says firmware installs on its own when your iPhone is on the latest iOS with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on, the AirPods are in their closed case, and the case is charging near your iPhone. Wait at least 30 minutes, open the lid, and check again. For AirPods Max, plug the cable into the right earcup instead.

5. Apple Intelligence is off or not ready

Live Translation is an Apple Intelligence feature, so it won’t start while Apple Intelligence is off. Go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri and turn it on. You may see a switch or a button, depending on your iOS version.

It also needs free space. Apple lists up to 8 GB on most supported iPhones, and up to 14 GB on iPhone 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max and iPhone Air.

6. Your iPhone and Siri languages don’t match

Apple says Apple Intelligence needs the device language and the Siri language set to the same supported language. Go to Settings > Siri > Language (on some iOS versions, it is under Apple Intelligence & Siri) and pick the language your iPhone uses. Apple notes that Apple Intelligence might be unavailable until the new Siri language fully downloads.

7. You haven’t downloaded both languages

Live Translation needs both languages on your iPhone: the one the other person speaks, and the one you want to hear. Apple’s steps:

1. Put in your AirPods and connect them.
2. Open Settings and tap your AirPods name near the top.
3. Under Translation, tap Languages. If you don’t see it, tap Live Translation (Beta) first.
4. Tap each language you need and wait for the download to finish.

Then open the Translate app, tap Live, and set Their Language and Your Language.

8. The Translate app was deleted

Live Translation lives inside Apple’s Translate app. If you deleted it, nothing can start it. Download Translate again from the App Store, then open it and tap Live.

9. The stem press does nothing

To start Live Translation from your AirPods, you press and hold the stem on both AirPods at the same time. On AirPods Max 2, press and hold the listening mode button instead.

If that fails, try another way Apple lists: tap Start Translation in Translate > Live, say “Siri, start Live Translation,” tap Translate in Control Center, or set the Action button. If those work but the stems don’t, update the firmware (fix 4) or reset the AirPods (fix 11).

10. Your language or region isn’t supported

Apple’s Live Translation with AirPods supports 11 languages: Chinese (Mandarin, Simplified), Chinese (Mandarin, Traditional), English (UK), English (US), French (France), German (Germany), Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil) and Spanish (Spain). Turkish, Arabic, Mexican Spanish and other languages are not on the list. See our languages page for the full comparison.

Region matters too. Apple says Simplified Mandarin for Live Translation is not available in China mainland, and Apple Intelligence does not currently work on supported devices bought in China mainland.

11. Still stuck: restart your iPhone and reset your AirPods

Restart your iPhone first. If that doesn’t help, reset your AirPods. Apple’s steps for AirPods Pro 2:

1. Put the AirPods in the case, close the lid, and wait 30 seconds.
2. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the Info button next to your AirPods, tap Forget This Device, and confirm.
3. Open the lid and press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds.
4. When the light flashes amber, then white, follow the steps on screen to reconnect.

On AirPods 4, AirPods 5 and AirPods Pro 3, there is no setup button. After steps 1 and 2, open the lid and double-tap the front of the case while the light is on, again when it flashes white, and a third time when it flashes faster. Wait for amber, then white, and reconnect.

If your device can’t run it at all

If you have supported AirPods and an iPhone 15 Pro or later, and you only need Apple’s 11 languages, keep at the fixes. Apple’s feature is built in, and it is the right choice for you.

Many people can’t use it no matter what they change: anyone with an iPhone 14 or older, a regular iPhone 15, AirPods 2 or 3, AirPods 4 without noise cancellation, Beats or other headphones, or anyone who needs Turkish, Arabic or Mexican Spanish. For them, Live Translation on Headphones is an iPhone app that does the same job without Apple Intelligence. It needs iOS 18 or later, works with any headphones, supports 14 languages, and works offline once a language is downloaded. Read our AirPods Live Translation guide for a side-by-side look, or Apple Live Translation explained for how Apple’s feature works.

Quick answers

Why can’t I use Live Translation on my AirPods? Most often your AirPods or iPhone isn’t a supported model. You need supported AirPods plus an iPhone 15 Pro or later with Apple Intelligence on.

Why is Live Translation not showing in my AirPods settings? Check that your AirPods and iPhone are supported models. Then update iOS, update the AirPods firmware, and turn on Apple Intelligence.

Does Live Translation work on AirPods 2 or AirPods 3? No, and no update adds it. A third-party app such as ours works with any headphones.

Why doesn’t pressing the stem start Live Translation? Press and hold both stems at the same time, not one. Or start it from the Translate app.

Does Live Translation work in China? Apple says Simplified Mandarin for Live Translation is not available in China mainland, and Apple Intelligence does not currently work on devices bought there.

Sources: Apple: Live Translation with AirPods, AirPods User Guide, Apple: feature availability, Apple: AirPods firmware updates, Apple: How to get Apple Intelligence, Apple: Change Siri language, Apple: Update your iPhone, Apple: Reset your AirPods, Apple Newsroom: EU expansion.