How To Activate Live Translation on Airpods

Here’s how to do it:

✅ Requirements

Before you begin, make sure:

✅ AirPods are connected to your iPhone (AirPods Pro 2nd Gen or AirPods Max work best)
✅ You’re using iOS 17+ (best with iOS 17.4 or later for Live Translation in real-time)
✅ Your iPhone model supports Live Translation (iPhone 12 or later recommended)
✅ You’ve installed Apple’s Translate app (built-in on iOS)
✅ You’re using supported languages (English, Spanish, French, German, etc.)

Apple introduced Live Translation via Siri and AirPods with iOS 17.4.

Wear your AirPods and connect them to your iPhone.
Say:
👉 “Hey Siri, translate to Spanish” (or your target language).
Speak your phrase. Siri will:
- Translate your speech.
- Read the translation out loud through your AirPods.
- Display the text on-screen in the Translate app interface.

📌 This works live, so you can carry on a back-and-forth conversation.

You can also use the Translate app’s “Conversation Mode”:

Open the Translate app on your iPhone.
Choose two languages (e.g., English and Spanish).
Tap Conversation at the bottom.
Begin speaking — the app will:
- Translate live.
- Play the translated audio through your AirPods (if connected).
You can hand the phone back and forth for a two-way conversation.

Common supported languages include:

(Full list available in the Translate app settings)

Use Face to Face view in Translate app so each person sees their own language upright.
Make sure AirPods firmware is up to date (update automatically when charging near iPhone).
Works best in quiet environments for accurate voice recognition.