Apple’s live translation feature for AirPods will not be available in the European Union at launch.
According to TechCrunch, the feature, highlighted as a key addition to the AirPods Pro 3, enables real-time translation of incoming audio. However, users in the EU or those with EU-based Apple IDs will be unable to access it when the product launches.
According to Apple’s official page outlining iOS 26 features, the limitation also applies to AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4, which are expected to support the same functionality.
The restriction is likely linked to the EU’s data protection and digital regulations, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the recently introduced EU AI Act.
Apple delayed the launch of certain AI features in the EU last year for similar reasons. Some of these features are now expected to be available to EU users in March 2025.
