Apple's Latest AirPods Update Is A Game Changer For International Travelers

International travel can be a bit clunky if you're unfamiliar with the language of the country you are visiting. You can do all the Duolingo lessons you want, but sometimes you still slip up and refer to an embarrassing moment as "embarazada." However, Apple officially launched its new Live Translation feature on September 15th, 2025, a game-changing feature for international travelers looking to easily converse with friendly locals.

Live Translation translates speech and text to a target language. For example, if you are on the phone with someone who is speaking Spanish, the phone will produce an English transcript for you to read on screen. The feature is integrated across iMessage, FaceTime, and phone calls, and can even be used screen-free with AirPods. Users can activate Live Translation mode on their qualifying AirPods by downloading the languages they wish to translate ahead of time, and then either activating Siri or pressing the AirPod stems at the same time. Then, the wearer can listen to the person speaking in another language and have it translated back to them in their chosen language. This makes communicating while abroad easier than it has ever been before.

While this feature is revolutionary in translation technology, Apple's Live Translation feature is still in beta mode. This means that improvements are still being developed to make the experience as seamless as possible, so users should be patient when trying the feature. Some users noted discrepancies with translations, like CNET reporter Bridget Carey, who tested out the new feature with her Spanish-speaking mother-in-law. "Depending on how clearly words are spoken, or if someone is using an uncommon word, or if there is more than one person speaking — well, sometimes Siri gets it wrong," Carey noted.

One Reddit user wrote that using the feature in louder areas, like cafés, can disrupt the translation, so it's best to use it in quieter areas with fewer people. The AirPods also don't start translating until the person speaking has finished talking. "If the speaker talks for a while, it's pretty odd to just sit there listening to the translation before you can respond," the Reddit user wrote. While conversations may progress a bit slower, you are still overcoming language barriers.

Live Translation is now available on AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods Pro 2. Furthermore, you can get it on the iPhone 15 Pro and later, as well as devices with iOS 26 or later. Currently, the only languages available are English, Spanish, French, German, and Portuguese, but Apple is planning on adding more languages over the next few months.