When Apple introduced its new features Apple Intelligencemany of them came with an asterisk for the European Union. The strict continental regulation left some of the most striking characteristics in the air. One of the most anticipated is the “Live Translation”, the ability of the AirPods Pro to translate conversations in real time. After months of waiting, the function has overcome all obstacles and its deployment finally begins in Spain.
Landing. Apple has begun to roll out one of the most anticipated features of iOS 26 in our country: live translation for AirPods. This feature, introduced in September along with the new AirPods Pro 3is now launched after an initial block that kept it inactive throughout the EU.
This is how it works. The system allows a fluid conversation between two people who speak different languages. Thanks to noise cancellation, the headset minimizes the original voice of your interlocutor and overlays the translation in your language almost instantly. If the other person doesn’t have a compatible headset, you can use your iPhone horizontally, which will display a transcription of your voice already translated into their language.
Function on-device. One of the keys to this new Apple Intelligence feature and requirement is that the processing is done locally on the device: which is why an iPhone 15 Pro or later models is needed, and with iOS 26. This implies that we will have to download the corresponding language packs to allow offline translation.
It is not exclusive. Although it was launched as one of the great assets of the new AirPods Pro 3, the live translation It is not exclusive to them. Apple has confirmed – and it can be seen on its support website – that the function is compatible with all models that equip the H2 chip and active noise cancellation. So which ones are compatible? Basically these:
How to try it right now. There is an asterisk to use the new function: it does not, at the moment, reach the stable versions of iOS 26. The feature debuts today in the first developer beta of iOS 26.2 (whose stable version is not expected until December), so you have to install it to have access. If you are not a developer, you will be able to access it soon through the public beta (normally a week later).
The process It is very simple, although it involves certain risks when installing non-final software. That is why we recommend before make a backup of your iPhone. Then, you just need to sign up for the Apple developer program: with this, go to “Settings” > “General” > “Software Update” > “Beta Updates”.
How to activate the function. Once the iOS version is updated, activating the feature requires two more steps. First, download the languages: connect your AirPods, go to “Settings”, click on the menu of your AirPods (right under your Apple ID) and look for the “Translation” section to select and download the packages you need. Second, simply open Apple’s native “Translate” app and tap the “Live” tab.
Steps to install a beta version of iOS on the iPhone. Captures by Guille Lomener for Applesfera
The reason for the delay. The reason why the feature (and the Spanish language) has taken months to arrive is not technical, but regulatory. Apple specified in its launch that it was blocked in the EU, citing “bureaucratic issues” and the wait for approval from European regulators. This, far from being an isolated case, is a carbon copy of what we already experienced with the eventful deployment of Apple Intelligence itself.
History repeats itself: Apple presents its new functions and runs into European legislation, having to delay its arrival. Intelligence was announced in 2024, but his arrival in Spain and in Spanish It wasn’t officially completed until late March 2025 with iOS 18.4. What’s more, as of today, Siri’s advanced features are still delayed and They are not expected until 2026.
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