Apple's new Live Translation tool for AirPods was one of many announcements that piqued our excitement during the iPhone 17 launch event earlier this week. But if you're based in the EU, you should temper your expectations about its imminent availability.
It seems that European users, despite living in a region of linguistic diversity, will not have access to this feature. According to Apple's feature accessibility listings, first spotted by MacRumors: "Live Translation with AirPods is not available if you are in the EU and your Apple Account Country or Region is also in the EU."
Don't miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.
Fear not if you're visiting an EU country from the US, UK or elsewhere and were hoping use this feature to navigate conversations during your travels. Live translation will be available for you to use but your new European acquaintances won't be as fortunate.
Apple has to tread a careful line in the EU when it comes to introducing new features in the region due to the Digital Markets Act, under which the company is a designated "gatekeeper." Already this year, the company has had to delay the introduction of other tools and features that will be available with iOS 26, including listing "visited places" with its Maps app.
For everyone outside of the EU, Live Translation will be available on the new AirPods Pro 3, as well as existing AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 models. It will be able to translate between English (US and UK), French, German, Spanish and Portuguese.