iPhone 17 debut in Europe will lack the Live Translation feature with AirPods. The latest iOS and iPadOS updates indicate that EU users or those with EU Apple accounts won't have access to this feature initially.
Live Translation with AirPods Not Available for EU Users
iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 specifically mention that Live Translation functionality will be restricted in the EU or for individuals with Apple accounts based in EU countries. It remains unclear whether this restriction applies to non-EU Apple Account holders within the EU.
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Apple Attributes the Exclusion to Regulatory Barriers
New features are incorporated in the AirPods Pro 3 model. | Image Credit — Apple
Although Apple does not officially state the rationale for the delay on its platform, the company indicates that EU regulations are the cause. In a communication shared with TechCrunch, Apple clarified that non-compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) interoperability prerequisites has led to this delay.
Additional EU regulations, such as the Artificial Intelligence Act and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), enforce stringent privacy and data protection mandates, but do not intersect with Apple's specific concerns. Apple affirmed that regulations beyond the DMA did not impact their decision-making.
Are you interested in using the Live Translation feature?
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