Apple’s new live translation feature for AirPods will not be available in the European Union at launch.
The feature, designed for the upcoming AirPods Pro 3, allows users to hear real-time translations of incoming audio. However, according to TechCrunch, EU users and those with EU-based Apple IDs will not have access to it when the product rolls out.
Apple’s official iOS 26 feature list also confirms that the restriction will apply to AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4, which are expected to support the same live translation technology.
Industry experts believe the decision is linked to the EU’s strict data protection and digital rules, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Digital Markets Act (DMA), and the new EU AI Act.
Apple faced similar challenges last year when it delayed several AI-powered tools in the EU. Some of those features are now expected to be released to European users in March 2025.
