To use Live Translation with AirPods, wear a compatible pair connected to an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone, download both languages, then open Translate > Live, choose Their Language and Your Language, and tap Start Translation. You hear translated speech through your AirPods and can show or play your translated reply on your iPhone.
The short version
- Requirements: You need compatible AirPods, current firmware, Apple Translate, and an Apple Intelligence-enabled compatible iPhone.
- Language setup: Download both participants’ languages through your AirPods settings before starting.
- Start a conversation: Open Translate > Live, select the languages, and tap Start Translation.
- Reply aloud: Speak your reply, then tap Play in the app to play the translation through your iPhone speaker.
- Another option: Google Translate supports headphone translation with connected AirPods on supported devices.
| Start method | What to do after setup | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Translate | Open Live, select the languages, and tap Start Translation | Compatible AirPods and an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone |
| Earbud stems | Press and hold both stems simultaneously | AirPods 4 with ANC, AirPods 5, or AirPods Pro 2 or 3 with a compatible iPhone |
| Listening mode button | Press and hold the listening mode button | AirPods Max 2 with a compatible iPhone |
| Siri | Say Siri, start Live Translation. | Compatible AirPods and iPhone with Siri available |
| Control Center | Tap Translate | Compatible AirPods and iPhone with the control added |
| Action button | Press and hold the Action button | Compatible AirPods and an iPhone with the button assigned to Translate |
Check your AirPods and iPhone compatibility
You can use Apple’s in-person Live Translation with AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, either AirPods 5 model, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, or AirPods Max 2. Your AirPods need current firmware. Check the exact model before starting, particularly with AirPods 4, where Apple specifies the ANC model.
Apple’s AirPods guide specifies iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or iPhone 16 models and later, with Apple Intelligence enabled. The ordinary iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are not included. Updating iOS alone does not add Apple Intelligence to unsupported hardware.
Update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS, which Apple’s AirPods guide requires. For AirPods 5, Apple’s firmware notes specifically call for iOS 27. If your equipment does not meet Apple’s requirements, check the Google Translate option below for an alternative on supported devices.
Prepare your iPhone and Apple Translate
If you need to install or restore Apple Translate, open the Apple Translate App Store listing on your iPhone and download the app. Being able to install Translate does not by itself mean your setup supports AirPods Live Translation.
On an Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone running iOS 26, open Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri and turn on Apple Intelligence. Depending on your previous setup and software version, you may instead need to tap Turn on Apple Intelligence.
On iOS 27, Apple says Apple Intelligence is automatically available in supported regions and languages on eligible iPhones. Set your device language and Siri language to the same supported language. Eligible iPhones include iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 models and later, iPhone Air, and iPhone Duo.
To update your iPhone, back it up, connect it to power and Wi-Fi, then open Settings > General > Software Update. Tap Download and Install when an update is offered. For automatic installation, open Automatic Updates and turn on Automatically Install.
Download both conversation languages
Wear your AirPods and connect them to your iPhone, then open Settings and tap your AirPods’ name. Under Translation, tap Languages and download both your language and the other participant’s language. If you first see Live Translation (Beta), tap it to reach Languages.
You can choose English (US and UK), French (France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish (Spain), and Mandarin Chinese (simplified and traditional) for AirPods translation. Match the available language variants to your conversation. For a language pair outside that selection, check whether Google Translate’s headphone translation supports it.
Start Live Translation and choose a shortcut
With your connected AirPods in place, open Translate and tap Live. Set Their Language to the language the other person speaks and Your Language to the language you want to hear. Tap Start Translation to begin.
After setup, you can start directly from your connected earbuds by pressing and holding both stems simultaneously while wearing them. This works with AirPods 4 with ANC, both AirPods 5 models, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Pro 3. With connected AirPods Max 2 on your head, press and hold the listening mode button instead.
When Siri is available, you can also start by saying Siri, start Live Translation. Complete setup first and wear your connected AirPods when you give the command.
For a screen shortcut, swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone screen to open Control Center, then tap Translate. If that control is missing, tap the Add (+) button, tap Add a Control, and select Translate. Swipe up to finish customizing, then use the control while wearing your connected AirPods.
If your compatible iPhone has an Action button, open Settings > Action Button and swipe to Translate. After completing translation setup, wear your connected AirPods and press and hold the Action button.
Reply and finish the conversation
Speak your reply, then use Translate > Live to share the translated response. Show the other person the transcript or tap Play to play it through your iPhone speaker. They can follow your reply without having their own AirPods setup.
If the other participant has compatible AirPods and an iPhone, they can start translation on their own setup instead. Each AirPods listener needs to meet Apple’s requirements. When you finish your session, tap X to stop translation.
Fix setup and microphone problems
If the other speaker is hard to pick up in noisy surroundings, move your iPhone closer to them. Its microphones can supplement the AirPods microphones during in-person translation.
If you cannot get started, check your AirPods model, compatible iPhone, Apple Intelligence, Apple Translate, and both language downloads. Confirm the software requirement for your model, especially iOS 27 for AirPods 5. Return to the setup steps above to complete anything missing.
To update AirPods firmware, connect your AirPods to an updated iPhone, iPad, or Mac that has Bluetooth enabled and is connected to Wi-Fi. For earbuds, connect the charging case to power, put the earbuds inside, close the lid, and leave the case near that device for at least 30 minutes. For AirPods Max, connect the headphones to power and leave them nearby for at least 30 minutes.
Reconnect your AirPods after that waiting period. On your iPhone, open Settings > Bluetooth, tap the Info button beside your AirPods, and check About for the firmware version. Once the prerequisites are ready, return to Translate > Live to start the conversation.
Translate Phone and FaceTime calls
For Phone call translation, you need an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone running iOS 26 or later and supported call languages. Start a call in Phone while using your AirPods as call headphones, then tap More > Live Translation > Choose Language. Select the incoming language and tap Start Translation. Both callers are notified automatically, and you receive spoken translations and an onscreen transcript.
For FaceTime translated captions, you need an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone running iOS 26 or later and supported FaceTime languages. Start a FaceTime call, tap More > Live Translation > Choose Language, then select the incoming language and tap Start Translation. Read the translated captions on your screen while wearing your AirPods.
Use Google Translate with connected AirPods
You can use Google Translate with ordinary connected headphones, including AirPods, on supported iPhones and iPads with the latest app, supported languages, and regional availability. Install or update it from the Google Translate App Store listing. The app requires iOS 18.0 or later or iPadOS 18.0 or later, and individual feature availability varies.
Connect your AirPods, open Google Translate > Live translate, and choose Listening and the languages. Tap Speak to pause or resume translation. Tap Back when you want to exit.
For a conversation with turn-taking, select Conversation and choose the languages instead. You can also select Custom settings to choose headphones, speaker, or text output. Tap translated text to replay it, or tap Face to face for a split display and Close to leave that display.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you remove a downloaded AirPods translation language?
Deleting a language removes that downloaded translation language. Wear and connect your AirPods, open Settings, select your AirPods, and return to Languages under Translation, tapping Live Translation (Beta) first when necessary. Swipe left on the downloaded language and tap Delete.
Can you use AirPods for Google Translate on Android?
Yes, you can use connected AirPods on supported Android phones and tablets with the latest Google Translate app, available languages, and regional availability. Connect AirPods as Bluetooth headphones, open Google Translate > live translate, and choose Listening or Conversation and the languages. Tap Speak to pause or resume and Back to exit; on Android, you can also continue the session in the background.
Which firmware versions does Apple list for compatible AirPods?
Apple’s September 17, 2026 firmware listing gives 9A350 for AirPods 5. For AirPods 4 with ANC, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods Max 2, it lists 9A348.
Can your purchase region or location affect Apple Intelligence availability?
Yes, Apple specifies China mainland restrictions involving device purchase region and account or location conditions. Your setup must meet the supported region and language conditions as well as the hardware and software requirements.
What should you check on a managed work or school iPhone?
On a supervised iPhone running iOS 26.4 or later, management policies can govern translation processing and Siri access. Ask your administrator to review those policies, since the management menus depend on the provider.