Talk across languages with iOS 26 Live Translation

Apple has introduced Live Translation on Call in iOS 26, letting you talk on your iPhone with people who speak different languages, no extra apps needed. The feature works directly in the Phone app, FaceTime, and even Messages. Using Apple Intelligence, translations happen instantly and entirely on your device, so your private conversations never leave your iPhone. At launch, supported languages include English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and German, with Apple planning to expand the list soon.

Why Live Translation on Call is a game-changer for iPhone users

Live Translation on Call in iOS 26 goes beyond convenience; it makes global communication feel effortless. Imagine being able to:

• Chat with hotel staff while traveling abroad
• Reach customer support in another country without struggling through a language barrier
• Stay connected with family or friends who speak a different language

Your iPhone now bridges these gaps in real time. And because translations happen directly on your device, your conversations stay private and secure without sending your voice data to the cloud.

How to use Live Translation on a phone call in iOS 26

Before you can start using Live Translation on a call, make sure your iPhone is updated to iOS 26 and Apple Intelligence is enabled, then follow these steps.

First, install iOS 26 on your iPhone 

• Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
• Tap General.
• Select Software Update.
• If iOS 26 is available, tap Upgrade to iOS 26.
• Click Update Now.
• Enter your passcode if asked, then agree to the terms.
• Wait for the download and installation to finish. Your iPhone will restart with iOS 26.

Check if Apple Intelligence is available on your iPhone

• Go to Settings
• Scroll down to see if you see Apple Intelligence & Siri.
• If you see it, your iPhone supports Apple Intelligence. 
• Go ahead and click on it and enable Apple Intelligence. 

How to use Live Translation on Call on your iPhone

• Open the Phone app.
• Place or answer a call as you normally would.
• Tap More (…) during the call.
• Choose Live Translation from the menu.
• Select the From and To languages.
• Tap Start Translation.
• The iPhone will translate spoken words in real time.
• To stop, tap where it says Stop or tap Translating Language
• Then, click Stop Translation.

Use Live Translation on Call with AirPods (Optional)

• Wear compatible AirPods (like AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, AirPods Pro 2) along with an iPhone 15 Pro or later running iOS 26.

• Translations will play directly in your ear for a more natural flow.

AirPods Pro 3

Credit: Apple

Apple has unveiled the third-generation AirPods Pro 3. The design keeps the iconic stem but introduces foam-infused ear tips that come in five sizes. Apple said it studied 100,000 ear shapes to make them fit more securely. The new AirPods Pro 3 extend listening time, offering up to eight hours on a single charge, compared with six hours in the previous generation. With the charging case, total listening time stretches to 10 hours with hearing-AI features enabled.

One of the standout additions is heart rate sensing, which turns the AirPods Pro 3 into another health-tracking accessory in Apple’s ecosystem. The earbuds also use AI-driven hearing enhancements to improve clarity in noisy environments. Apple said the AirPods Pro 3 now deliver up to four times stronger active noise cancellation (ANC) than the originals, making them far more effective in crowded or loud spaces.

For workouts, you can also track over 50 activity types with the Fitness app on iPhone while wearing them. Perhaps most notably, Apple added live translation. When two people wear AirPods Pro 3 paired with iPhones, conversations can be translated in real time, breaking language barriers in a way that once seemed impossible .

Get AirPods Pro 3

Apple AirPods 4

Credit: Apple

The Apple AirPods 4 offer a blend of advanced features and affordability. These earbuds are designed for seamless integration with Apple devices like the iPhone and Apple Watch, making them an excellent choice for users within the Apple ecosystem. Key features include Active Noise Cancellation and Adaptive Audio, which enhance the listening experience by adapting to your environment. The Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking provides an immersive sound experience, making it feel as though audio is coming from all around you. With the new H2 chip, the AirPods 4 deliver improved voice isolation and sound quality, making hands-free calls clearer even in noisy settings. The earbuds offer up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge, and the included USB-C charging case extends total battery life to 30 hours.

Get Apple AirPods 4 

Apple AirPods Pro 2 (2nd Generation) with USB-C

The 2nd Generation of the Apple AirPods Pro is an excellent choice for those looking for great noise cancellation and immersive sound.  They come with what’s known as an H-2 chip, which provides spatial audio for the listener making for an incredible listening experience.

Being able to block out much of life’s distractions is why I love the Active Noise Cancellation feature that allows you to make outside noise almost disappear.  With a quick long press on the volume of your iPhone you can choose Transparency Mode if you feel more comfortable hearing the noise around you in addition to what you’re listening to.  AirPods Pro also comes with Touch Control, which allows you to control the volume of what you’re listening to directly from your AirPod stem.

I will soon not forget touring the audio labs within Apple’s headquarters.  My jaw about hit the ground at how huge the single focus of audio receives at Apple.   It’s astonishing at how deeply the research and development team goes to innovate sound in their products.  I remember thinking that Apple’s audio R&D labs were as vast as some entire companies’ footprint in size.

That’s likely where one of AirPods Pro’s new best features is developed.  The charging case in generation 2 now comes with a built-in speaker that makes finding a misplaced case and earbud easier to locate.  You can learn more about these fancy new earbuds here.

More: Apple transforms AirPods Pro 2 into low-cost hearing aids

Get Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) with USB-C

Related Links: 

• Apple Watch gets FDA-approved hypertension alerts
• Even with Trump’s tariff blessing, Apple hikes iPhone 17 prices
• Best smartwatches that are worth your money

More iOS26 tips here

Kurt’s key takeaways

With iOS 26, Apple is turning the iPhone into a true cross-language communicator. Live Translation on Call makes it easier to connect, collaborate, and stay close to people around the world, without worrying about privacy or awkward language gaps.

Would you trust iOS 26 Live Translation enough to make your next important call in another language? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. 

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