Apple’s much-anticipated live translation feature for AirPods will not be available to users in the European Union at launch.
According to TechCrunch, the feature — one of the flagship additions to the AirPods Pro 3 — allows real-time translation of incoming audio, making conversations across languages seamless. However, EU-based users, or those with Apple IDs registered in the region, will be unable to access it when the product becomes available.
Apple’s official page for iOS 26 confirms that the restriction will also apply to AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4, which were also expected to support the live translation functionality.
Industry analysts believe the limitation is tied to the EU’s stringent digital and data protection framework, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Digital Markets Act (DMA), and the recently introduced EU AI Act.
This is not the first time Apple has adjusted its feature rollout for European markets. Last year, several AI-powered tools were withheld from the EU due to regulatory hurdles, though some are now scheduled to launch in March 2025.
The move highlights the growing impact of European digital laws on global tech giants, forcing them to adapt product launches and features to comply with strict regulatory standards.
