Verdict
Apple Translate costs nothing and runs on the phone itself once both languages are downloaded, so nothing needs to leave the device. Which? found Live Translation through AirPods generally accurate in July 2026, but its 2025 test of the app on its own found enough errors to send iPhone owners to Google Translate or DeepL. It covers 30 languages and accents after iOS 27, against Google's 240-plus.
Best for
iPhone and AirPods owners who want offline, on-device translation in common languages
Skip if
Android users, or anyone needing Greek, Polish, Croatian or other languages Apple still leaves out
Key facts
- Made by
- Apple Inc.
- Based in
- United States
- Launched
- 2020
- Works on
- iPhone
- In the UK
- Yes
- Free plan
- Everything is free and built into iOS, including offline languages, conversation mode, camera translation and Live Translation with compatible AirPods
What it does
- translates typed text and speech between languages
- translates text through the camera or in photos
- auto-translates conversations without tapping the microphone
- shows dictionary definitions for translated words
- offers a face-to-face conversation view
Ratings
What people say
individual reviewers in 2026 say the app feels neglected, with no automatic language detection and too few languages, while the AirPods Live Translation feature drew a burst of praise when AirPods 5 launched in September 2026. The 2.27 UK App Store score from 1,366 ratings matches the user reviews complaints rather than the press interest in Live Translation.
“The Translate app feels abandoned. Buggy detection, limited language support and no auto-detect, ffs.”
Individual user review, 22 June 2026 · source
“The text-to-speech and speech-to-text work fantastically as long as you use only one of the supported languages. Add another, one or two and the whole thing breaks apart…”
Individual user review, 22 June 2026 · source
“Try either apple translate or google translate. Both have live options, maybe with earphones in the apple instance.”
Individual user review, 10 September 2026 · source
“iShowSpeed was able to test the Live Translation in the new AirPods 5 and was surprised when they actually worked”
Post on X, 9 September 2026 · source
“Apple keeps advertising these live translation features for the AirPods but have they ever worked in real life application ever?”
Post on X, 9 September 2026 · source
Press reviews
- Which? 2026-07-28
Bilingual testers found AirPods Live Translation 'generally accurate' in Italian, Spanish, German and French; worth using with existing kit but not worth upgrading for.
- Which? 2025-07-17
'Enough errors to make communicating confusing. Apple users should download Google Translate or DeepL instead.'
- Beebom 2026-02-19
Called it one of the easiest translation apps tried, fast and offline, but with fewer languages than rivals and no Android version.
Privacy
- Trains on your data
- Apple stores transcripts and text inputs for two years by default and may review a subset to improve Translate and other features; audio is only stored and reviewed if Improve Siri & Dictation is switched on. When both languages are downloaded, processing happens on the device
- Opt-out
- Download both languages (On-Device Mode) to keep translation on the phone; leave Improve Siri & Dictation off under Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements
- Retention
- Two years for transcripts and text inputs, tied to a random rotating identifier rather than the Apple Account; reviewed samples may be kept longer
- Incidents
- none Translate-specific found in web searches (2026-10-10)
- Age limit
- App Store rating 4+; built into iOS with no separate sign-up
Official videos
FAQ
Is Apple Translate free?
Yes. It comes with iOS and has no paid plan. Live Translation through AirPods needs an iPhone 15 Pro or later and AirPods 4 with noise cancelling, AirPods Pro 2 or newer.
Does Apple Translate work offline?
Yes, for downloaded languages. Apple says that when both languages have been downloaded, processing takes place on the device.
Does AirPods Live Translation work in the UK?
Yes. English (UK) was a launch language, and the 2025 restriction only applied to people in the EU with an EU Apple Account. Which? tested it in July 2026.
Apple Translate vs Google Translate?
Google covers more than 240 languages to Apple's 30 and did better in Which?'s 2025 accuracy test. Apple's advantage is on-device processing and the AirPods integration.
Which languages does Apple Translate support?
21 languages before iOS 27 and 30 after, with Hebrew, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian and Malay among the additions. individual reviewers still list Greek, Polish and Croatian as missing.
Scores are based on published evidence, not lab tests. How we score.
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