Apple had a lot to say about iOS 26 at WWDC 2025. Translation will be a hallmark of the new Apple Intelligence features coming to the next iteration of the iPhone operating system. During this year's annual showcase at Cupertino, the team revealed that it is adding live translation of calls and texts, with integration into the Messages, Phone and FaceTime apps.
Live translations will be powered by AI models on the device. When translations are happening during a call, they will be spoken aloud by an AI voice and will also appear as written out captions. In texts, Messages can automatically translate while a user types. Leslie Ikemoto, Apple's director of input experience, noted that live translations will also be available even when communicating with a non-Apple smartphone. However, she didn't specify which languages will be supported in live translation, so we'll be keeping an eye out for that detail.
iPadOS 26 will also be bringing live translation to the same three core apps: Phone, FaceTime and Messages. Apple noted that the automatic translation will be available in group chats on iPads as well as one-to-one messages. And if you have an iPhone that supports using Apple Intelligence features, live translation can also be used with the Messages app in watchOS 26 on the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2.
Apple added some translation features to Siri all the way back in iOS 11, then launched its own dedicated Translate app as part of iOS 14. Those capabilities will now be more thoroughly baked into the iPhone operating system as part of the Apple Intelligence suite.
There has been some chatter in the Apple camp about the possibility for live translation to be added to the AirPods, but nobody discussed that on stage today. Google has offered translation on its Pixel Buds for a few years now, so that's an area where Apple is trailing on features. It's possible we'll hear more about that subject in the fall when Apple's keynote centers more on hardware developments.
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