Apple's new Live Translation feature is unavailable for EU residents

Apple’s new Live Translation feature has rolled out for the iPhone 15 Pro+ running the latest iOS 26 firmware. Originally announced solely for the newest AirPods Pro 3, the feature is now available on the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 with ANC. Unfortunately, it’s off-limits to millions of European users due to strict EU regulations. According to Apple, “Live Translation with AirPods is not available if users are in the EU and their Apple Account country or region is also in the EU”. While it doesn’t specify the exact reasons, previous grievances between Apple and the EU indicate that the bloc’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) may be to blame.

Here we go again

This isn’t the first time the EU has scrutinized Apple’s conduct and features. For example, a ruling by the European Commission on March 19, 2025, specified measures Apple must take to comply with certain aspects of its interoperability obligation. These include nine iOS connectivity features used for smartwatches, headphones, and TVs. The mandate grants manufacturers and app developers improved access to iPhone interaction features. For example, iOS devices must now allow connected third-party devices to access notifications, allow background app execution, conduct Wi-Fi file transfers, and support media casting similar to AirPlay.

As you can imagine, Apple isn’t happy about this. The EU’s regulations aim to dismantle Apple’s walled garden by allowing seamless integration between iPhones and third-party accessories. Responding to the commission’s specifications, the company told our sister site, Android Authority, that “Today’s decisions wrap us in red tape, slowing down Apple’s ability to innovate for users in Europe and forcing us to give away our new features for free to companies who don’t have to play by the same rules”. Apple clearly considers interoperability a danger to its products and services in Europe, despite the obvious benefits to consumers.

Additionally, on April 23, 2025, Apple was fined €500 million ($591 million) for breaching its anti-steering obligation under the European Commission’s DMA. This stipulates that app developers should be able to inform, steer, and allow customers to make purchases when distributing their apps on the Apple App Store. However, the company was found to have failed to comply with this obligation. This was due to several restrictions imposed by Apple that prevent app developers from directly informing consumers of offers.

This follows delays to the rollout of Apple Intelligence across the EU. Launched in the US in 2024, the feature remained unavailable in the European Union until April 2025. Apple again blamed the DMA, stating that regulatory uncertainties and concerns around interoperability requirements could force the company to compromise the integrity of its products in ways that risk user privacy and data security. That’s not to mention the regionally dependent regulatory approval requirements for the AirPods Pro 2’s Hearing Aid feature. This remains unavailable in major economies, including France, Spain, and Canada.

European FOMO

The irony of Apple’s Live Translation feature being unavailable in a continent with freedom of movement and 24 popular languages won’t be lost on anyone. The feature enables seamless, hands-free, cross-language communication by using the Apple Intelligence AI suite. It is most powerful when both conversationists wear compatible AirPods with Live Translation enabled. Doing so allows active noise cancellation (ANC) to automatically lower the volume of the other speaker, focusing instead on the translated audio. Conversations with non-AirPods users also work and can be displayed horizontally on a compatible iPhone. This shows translations in each person’s preferred language.

That visiting Americans and Brits can use the feature in the EU will no doubt rub salt in the wounds. This is because, like the U.S., the UK no longer faces the same regulatory hurdles as the EU. That’s not to say that UK watchdogs don’t have Apple in their crosshairs, though. For example, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority stated in July that Apple and Google hold an “effective duopoly” with their mobile platforms. It may only be a matter of time until they are designated in the UK with strategic market status (SMS). This could force both companies to open up to the markets in the same way as the European Commission’s DMA.

That may be a far cry from today, though. In the meantime, consumers with an up-to-date iPhone and compatible AirPods outside of the EU can converse in English (UK and U.S.), French, German, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish with Apple Live Translation. The feature will also support Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (simplified) later this year, although Apple has yet to set a date for this.

Live Translation in Messages will also work on supported iPhones, iPads, and Macs. This feature is compatible with Apple Watch Series 9 and later, Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later, and SE 3 when paired with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone. Similarly, Live Translation in Phone and FaceTime supports English (UK and U.S.), French, German, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish. But with other companies already successfully offering live translation features in the EU, should Europeans even bother waiting for Apple?

An Apple in a powerful Galaxy

Samsung’s Live Translate feature was first announced in November 2023. Powered by the company’s Galaxy AI tool, it requires a recent Galaxy smartphone or tablet running software version One UI 6.1. What’s handy, though, is that the feature works locally on your phone. So, you don’t need to worry about what device the other person is using, even if it’s a landline. It also doesn’t require a network connection — once you’ve downloaded the relevant language pack, you’re all set.

Better still is the ability to use this feature with the Samsung Galaxy Buds3, Buds3 Pro, and Buds3 FE earbuds. These use Listening Mode and Conversation Mode to translate foreign languages in different ways. For example, users can open the built-in Interpreter app on their compatible Samsung smartphone to listen to, pause, and replay instant translations through the buds. The app also provides a text transcript to accompany the translation. This is ideal for one-way conversations, such as during guided tours, lectures, and international conferences.

Conversely, Samsung’s Live Translate Conversation Mode provides interpretation for conversations in both directions. This new Galaxy AI option works directly within the phone app and others, including WhatsApp, Google Meet, Telegram, and Instagram. However, Live Translate for phone calls is not enabled by default. You must navigate to the Phone app, then Settings > Live Translate to turn it on. Once enabled, you can pick your language, choose one voice among two, change the speech speed, and mute your own voice. While the feature originally supported 13 languages, Samsung now provides 20 options. These include Arabic, Korean, Chinese, and German.

However, Samsung isn’t the only player in the live translation arena. For example, the Timekettle W4 Pro may be enticing to Europeans. These buds are specifically designed for real-time conversations across languages. Unlike buds with live translation apps, the Timekettle W4 Pro support 40 languages and 93 accents. They can also be split up between speakers for one-to-one conversations. Similarly, you can continue speaking in offline mode with one of the 13 available language packs. Powered by the advanced Babel OS platform, the Timekettle W4 Pro also support real-time subtitle translation while watching video content. This is immensely handy for movie enthusiasts.

But what do you think? Should European Apple fans wait for the company’s Live Translation feature, or are there already compelling alternatives in this burgeoning marketplace? Let us know in the poll and the comments section below!