At launch, Apple’s AirPods live translation feature won’t be accessible in the EU.
TechCrunch claims that the capability, which is emphasized as a significant upgrade to the AirPods Pro 3, allows for real-time audio translation of incoming calls. When the product releases, customers in the EU or those with Apple IDs based in the EU won’t be able to access it, though.
The restriction also applies to AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4, which are anticipated to enable the same capability, according to Apple’s official page detailing iOS 26 capabilities.
The restriction is probably related to the EU’s digital and data protection laws, such as the newly passed EU AI Act, the Digital Markets Act, and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
