Translate an entire conversation without taking your iPhone out of your pocket? It’s now possible. After months of delays, Apple has finally activated real-time translation on AirPods in France.
Apple promised that its new AirPods Pro 3 would be much more than just earphones. Thanks to Apple Intelligence, they can now translate conversations in real-time, directly into your ears. The rollout of this feature, called Live Translation, is finally starting in Europe.
Live Translation on AirPods Finally Activated in France
Introduced at the September keynote, the AirPods Pro 3 (and soon the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4) now feature Live Translation. All you need to do is press the two stems of the AirPods to initiate instant translation between two languages, including French, English, German, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Moreover, translation is done locally on the iPhone using Apple Intelligence, without needing to connect to the Internet. This ensures privacy and provides immediate responses.
On the iPhone screen, a “Live” mode displays the conversation in chat format. You can hand your iPhone to your conversation partner, let them speak into the mic, and hear their translation in real-time through your AirPods. Your voice is translated and sent back in their language.
A Feature Blocked in Europe Due to the DMA
However, European users had to wait a bit longer than the rest of the world. Apple blocked the feature for two months in the EU due to compliance with the DMA (Digital Markets Act), the new European law aimed at curbing the power of tech giants.
Apple says ‘Live Translation’ will now launch in EU next month.
English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Japanese and Korean with AirPods Pro 3 (or 2) or AirPods 4 ANC.
(Paired with Apple Intelligence-using iPhone.)
Delay down to EU’s DMA regs, Apple says https://t.co/ACv0Dkjpd6 pic.twitter.com/GTmnAUfjSM— Adrian Weckler (@adrianweckler) November 4, 2025
It will only be in December 2025 that live translation will be officially deployed in France, via the iOS 26.2 update. Those eager to try it can already access the public beta available since November 4.
Apple also claimed that it had to overhaul its entire software architecture to comply with European regulations. The tech giant even complained about an aggressive interpretation of the DMA that would require opening certain technologies to third parties, which it believes “endangers users and stifles innovation.”
To navigate DMA constraints, Apple developed a new audio API. This allows other applications (like Google Translate or Duolingo) to simultaneously use the microphone and the headphones of the iPhone and AirPods. Apple provides technical keys to the competition, but on its own terms.
However, I’m not sure that this will be enough to appease Brussels. Apple acknowledges that its solution remains an interpretation of the regulation, without a guarantee of approval by the European Commission.
Additionally, iOS 26.2 will also disable Wi-Fi synchronization between iPhone and Apple Watch in Europe. Apple is unwilling to share this data with third parties like Meta or other manufacturers. Rather than risk a data leak, the company prefers to eliminate the feature.
