Live translation for Airpods (Pro): EU users look into the tube

Great disappointment with owners of Airpods Pro who have been waiting for the new live translation function: According to Apple, the function will not be available in the European Union (EU) area. This affects users who are located in the EU and whose Apple account is assigned to an EU country. Apple is silent about the reasons. The information itself was taken from a support documentthat can be viewed on the Internet. Apple has not yet answered a request from Mac & I.

With a view to the events of recent times, however, it is very likely that the decision with the continuing dispute between Apple and the European Commission should have to do with questions of interoperability. The EU wants Apple to open its hardware and software for competitors. Apple rejects this in many places with reference to risks for the safety of users and devices. However, it is open whether Apple acts in advance in the event of a live translation. Or whether there have been signals from Brussels.

Many EU languages ​​are supported

The new live translation-in the original Live Translation-presented Apple on Tuesday during the “AWE Droping” event using the example of the new Airpods Pro 3. However, it is also available as a software update in connection with iOS 26 for the iPhone for Airpods 4 and for the AirPods Pro 2. However, at least one iPhone 15 Pro or another suitable device that supports Apple Intelligence is necessary.

The function makes it possible to use AI functions when wearing earphones that translate the person said into your own language. Conversely, your own said is also translated into the opposite direction. If only one of the interlocutors has suitable AirPods, the answers are displayed on the iPhone display. If both have the devices, the translation is directly carried out by language.

Apple supports English, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish at the start. Italian, Japanese, Korean and Chinese are also to follow this year.

Crazy points in several places

Legal sticking points in the event of an EU introduction are conceivable in several places. The AI ​​act, for example, could be used because the new function processes the permanent language. Here a classification would be possible as a sensitive AI application. There is also potential for conflict in connection with the General Data Protection Regulation, with a view to the question of whether other people can see that a receiving and language processing function of the AirPods Pro is active. And finally, the interoperability requirements could also be a hurdle. Apple would then have to offer competitors on an equal footing, for example with a smartphone other than the iPhone – something that Apple rejects.

Apple’s competitors apparently see the topic more relaxed. Google’s pixel buds have been offering a live translation in the EU area for a long time.

With software features for the iPhone, the situation seems to be much more relaxed than in the live translation with AirPods. Corresponding translation functions that are supposed to come with iOS 26 have not yet been on the strike list for EU users.

Apple users are upset