Lance Whitney / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET \Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways Live Translation needs iPhone 15 Pro or newer with iOS 26 Works on AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4, and Pro 3 with ANC English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish supported. My wife and I typically travel to another country once or twice a year. This past year, we visited Paris. Next year, we plan to visit Italy or Amsterdam. Though many people in other countries speak English, we do run into language barriers in certain situations. That's where we could use a back-and-forth translator. And that's what Apple now offers through its Live Translation feature. Introduced with iOS 26, the new Live Translation can translate another person's words into your own language and pipe them through your AirPods. If the other person also has the right AirPods and a compatible iPhone, you can both carry on a conversation hands-free. If not, your own words will appear on your iPhone and be translated into the other language for the other person to see and hear. Also: The 2 biggest AI features that you should try on your iPhone 17 and AirPods ASAP For now, Live Translation supports only English (UK and US), French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish. Later in the year, Apple will add support for Chinese (Mandarin, Simplified, and Traditional), Japanese, Korean, and Italian. How to do live translations with AirPods What you'll need: First, you need a compatible iPhone -- one that supports Apple Intelligence since Live Translation is an AI-based skill. That means an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max, any iPhone 16, or any iPhone 17. Second, your iPhone requires iOS 26 or higher. If you haven't already upgraded, head to Settings, select General, and then tap Software Update. Select iOS 26, and then tap the Update now button. Also: AirPods Pro 3 fitness feature surprises triathlete tester - here's what he found Third, you'll need the right AirPods. Though Apple may have given the impression that the new AirPods Pro 3 are required, you can also use Live Translation with the AirPods Pro 2, and the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. For our purposes, I'll also assume you've already paired your AirPods with your iPhone. If not, here's a quick guide that should get you started. With all the proper ingredients, how do you set up and use Live Translation? Let's give it a spin. 1. Enable Apple Intelligence Since Live Translation is an AI-powered feature, Apple Intelligence needs to be enabled. To check, go to Settings, select Apple Intelligence & Siri, and then turn on the switch for Apple Intelligence if it's not already on. Show more Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET 2. Download languages Next, download the languages you want to use offline. For this, place the AirPods in your ears and connect them to your iPhone. Go to Settings and tap the name of your AirPods, which should be near the top of the screen. Also: This new AirPods Pro feature makes me question why I still wear an Apple Watch Swipe down the AirPods settings screen and tap the setting for Languages. Any languages already downloaded are listed at the top. Tap the down arrow for any other languages that you wish to use offline. Show more Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET 3. Activate Live Translation Now let's say you're about to have a conversation with someone speaking one of the supported languages. You have your AirPods in your ears and you want to use Live Translation. Apple offers a host of ways to activate it, so you can use any of the following methods: Also: AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods Pro 2: What to know before rushing to upgrade Open the Apple Translate app on your phone and tap the Live icon at the bottom. Make sure the languages are set correctly, and then tap Start Translation. Show more Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET Press and hold the stems on both AirPods at the same time. Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET Say: "Siri, start Live Translation." Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET Add the Translation control to Control Center. Swipe from the top right of your screen to launch Control Center, and then tap Translate. Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET Set up the Action button on an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, any iPhone 16, or any iPhone 17 to trigger Live Translation. Then, press the Action button to turn on Live Translation when you need it. Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET 4. Listen on Your AirPods As the other person speaks in their language, you'll start to hear their words translated into your language. Also: Intrigued by Live Translation? You may not have to buy new AirPods to access it After the translation is over, tap the entry for Live Translation on your phone and you'll see the original and translated words. You can then respond by speaking in your native language. Your words appear in your language and the other language. Assuming the other person isn't wearing compatible AirPods, you'll then need to tap the Play button next to your words to play them in the other language. Show more Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET 5. Listen on both AirPods If the other person has the right iPhone and AirPods, you can conduct your conversation without needing to hear or see the translation on an iPhone. For this, make sure you're both wearing your AirPods. Either person can trigger Live Translation. One person starts speaking, and the translated text should be heard in the AirPods of the other person. You can both then carry on a conversation by speaking in your language and hearing each other's words translated into your language through your respective AirPods. Also: These $15 accessories turned my AirPods into my ideal workout headphones You can also look at Live Translation on your iPhone to see the original and translated words. Show more Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET As you use Live Translation, keep in mind that the feature is AI-based and therefore prone to the same problems as any AI. You may find that certain translated words or sentences aren't entirely accurate. The translated words also lag behind the original words, especially if the other person is speaking too quickly. In that case, you may need to ask them to slow down. Also: Best AirPods 2025: I've tested every pair of Apple headphones and earbuds Despite the potential pitfalls, hopefully Live Translation will at least capture the gist of a conversation so that you and the other person can understand each other.