Live Translation on AirPods Pro 2: Yes, but Your iPhone Decides
Do AirPods Pro 2 have Live Translation? Yes, with an iPhone 15 Pro or later on iOS 26. See which iPhones work, how to set it up, and Pro 2 vs Pro 3.
You have AirPods Pro 2 and you heard Apple added Live Translation. Can your earbuds do it? The good news: yes, AirPods Pro 2 are on Apple’s list of supported AirPods.
The catch is the iPhone. Apple’s feature runs on the phone, not in the earbuds. So the same AirPods Pro 2 can translate on one iPhone and not on another. This page shows which iPhones work, how to set it up, and what to do if your iPhone is too old.
Short answer: Yes. AirPods Pro 2 support Apple’s Live Translation, both the USB-C and Lightning versions, as long as they have the latest firmware. You also need an iPhone 15 Pro or later with Apple Intelligence turned on, iOS 26 or later and the Translate app. On an iPhone 15, iPhone 14 or older, Apple’s feature won’t start, even with AirPods Pro 2 in your ears.
Do AirPods Pro 2 have Live Translation?
Yes. Apple’s support page lists AirPods Pro 2 next to AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, AirPods 5 and AirPods Max 2. Apple does not split AirPods Pro 2 into USB-C and Lightning models on that page. Its firmware page lists the same latest firmware for both cases.
Here is everything Apple asks for:
- AirPods Pro 2 with the latest AirPods firmware.
- An iPhone 15 Pro or later.
- Apple Intelligence turned on.
- iOS 26 or later.
- Apple’s Translate app installed.
Miss one item and the feature won’t show up. For the full picture across every AirPods model, see our AirPods Live Translation guide.
Which iPhones work with AirPods Pro 2 Live Translation?
Many people bought AirPods Pro 2 before their current phone. The middle column is Apple’s built-in feature. The last column is our app, Live Translation on Headphones, which needs iOS 18 or later and works with any AirPods.
| iPhone model | Apple Live Translation with AirPods Pro 2 | Live Translation on Headphones app with AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 models and iPhone Air | Yes (iOS 26 or later) | Yes |
| iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, 16e | Yes (iOS 26 or later) | Yes |
| iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max | Yes (iOS 26 or later) | Yes |
| iPhone 15, 15 Plus | No | Yes |
| iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max | No | Yes |
| iPhone 13 mini, 13, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max | No | Yes |
| iPhone 12 and iPhone 11 models | No | Yes |
| iPhone XS, XS Max, XR | No | Yes (iOS 18) |
| iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation) | No | Yes |
| iPhone X, 8 or older | No | No (needs iOS 18) |
Two rows trip people up. The iPhone 14 Pro is a “Pro” phone, but it is not supported. And the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are not supported, while the iPhone 15 Pro is. The line is Apple Intelligence, not the year. Our Live Translation on iPhone guide explains each model in more detail. If yours is an iPhone 13 model, see Live Translation on iPhone 13.
How to check your AirPods Pro 2 firmware
Apple says you need “the latest AirPods firmware.” AirPods update on their own while they charge near your iPhone. Here is how to check:
- Put your AirPods Pro 2 in your ears so they connect.
- Open Settings, tap Bluetooth, then tap the Info button next to your AirPods.
- Scroll down to About to see the firmware version.
- Compare it with the latest version on Apple’s AirPods firmware page. When we checked on October 18, 2026, Apple listed 9A348 for AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C and Lightning) and AirPods Pro 3.
If you are behind, update your iPhone first. Then connect it to Wi-Fi, put the AirPods in the case, close the lid, plug the case into power and keep it near your iPhone. Apple says to wait at least 30 minutes, then check again.
How to set up Live Translation on AirPods Pro 2
Download the languages first, so it works the moment you need it.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1. Turn on Apple Intelligence | Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri. It must be on. |
| 2. Download languages | With your AirPods in, open Settings, tap your AirPods’ name, tap Live Translation, then pick the languages. |
| 3. Pick the pair | Open the Translate app, tap Live, choose the language the other person speaks and the language you want to hear. |
| 4. Start | Tap Start Translation, or press and hold both AirPods stems at the same time, or say “Siri, start Live Translation.” |
| 5. Reply | Just speak. Your words show on the iPhone screen, or tap Play to have the iPhone say them out loud. |
| 6. Stop | Tap the X button. |
The stem trick is handy. Pressing and holding both stems at once starts Live Translation on AirPods Pro 2 and later. In a loud room, Apple suggests holding your iPhone closer to the person talking, since its microphones help.
Apple’s feature covers 11 languages: English (US and UK), Spanish (Spain), French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Japanese, Korean and Chinese (Simplified and Traditional). Simplified Chinese is not available in China mainland. See the full side-by-side on our languages page. If it still won’t start, our fix guide walks through the usual causes.
AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 3 for Live Translation
Apple’s support page lists AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 under the same requirements. Both use the same press-and-hold on both stems. Both get the same languages. Apple does not list any translation feature that only Pro 3 has.
| For Live Translation | AirPods Pro 2 | AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Supported by Apple | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone needed | iPhone 15 Pro or later | iPhone 15 Pro or later |
| iOS needed | iOS 26 or later | iOS 26 or later |
| Start by holding both stems | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | Same 11 | Same 11 |
So for translation, the feature works the same. New AirPods will not fix an old iPhone. If your phone is an iPhone 14, AirPods Pro 3 hit the same wall as AirPods Pro 2.
What if your iPhone is too old?
If you have an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, use Apple’s feature. It is built in and good at what it does.
If you don’t, you can buy a new iPhone or use an app on the phone you own. Our app works with your AirPods Pro 2 on any iPhone with iOS 18 or later. You hear the other person in your language about a second after they speak, while they keep talking. It keeps going with the screen locked. To reply, you say it in your language and the iPhone speaks it out loud in theirs.
It also covers a few languages Apple’s AirPods feature does not: Turkish, Arabic and Spanish (Mexico). That is 14 languages in all. Speech recognition, translation and voice run on the iPhone, no account is needed, and it works offline once a language is downloaded. It is a separate app from Little Tough LLC, not made by Apple. For how the two compare in general, read our guide to Apple Live Translation.
Quick answers
Do AirPods Pro 2 have Live Translation? Yes. Apple lists AirPods Pro 2 as supported, with the latest firmware, an iPhone 15 Pro or later, Apple Intelligence on and iOS 26 or later.
Does Live Translation work on AirPods Pro 2 with an iPhone 13 or iPhone 14? Not Apple’s feature. Those iPhones don’t have Apple Intelligence. A third-party app that runs on iOS 18, like ours, can translate into your AirPods Pro 2 on those phones.
Does it work on AirPods Pro 2 with an iPhone 15? Only on the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. The regular iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are not supported by Apple’s feature.
Do the USB-C and Lightning AirPods Pro 2 both support it? Apple does not separate them for Live Translation, and its firmware page lists the same latest firmware for both. Both work.
Is AirPods Pro 3 better than AirPods Pro 2 for Live Translation? Apple lists the same requirements, the same stem gesture and the same languages for both. For translation, it works the same.
Is Live Translation on AirPods Pro 2 free? Yes. Apple’s feature is built into iOS at no cost. You just need a supported iPhone.
Sources: Apple Support: Use Live Translation with your AirPods, Apple: iOS feature availability, Live Translation with AirPods, Apple Support: Firmware updates for AirPods, Apple Newsroom, September 2025, App Store: Live Translation on Headphones. Checked October 18, 2026.
