iOS 26: Translate Phone Calls in Real Time on iPhone
Apple’s new Live Translation turns your iPhone into a real-time interpreter during phone calls in iOS 26. Whether you’re negotiating with overseas clients or catching up with relatives abroad, the Phone app can now translate conversations on the fly—no separate app required.
What Live Translation Does
Live Translation provides spoken translations in both directions during a one-to-one call. You’ll hear the other person’s words in your language, and they’ll hear your words in theirs. An on-screen “Translating [language]” indicator confirms the feature is active.
At launch, the Phone app supports English (US and UK), French (France), German, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish (Spain). The feature requires Apple Intelligence, so you’ll need an iPhone 15 Pro or later running iOS 26.
Requirements
- iPhone 15 Pro or later
- iOS 26 installed
- Apple Intelligence enabled
- Wi‑Fi recommended for initial language pack downloads
Enable Apple Intelligence
Before your first translated call, make sure Apple Intelligence is turned on:
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Find Apple Intelligence and follow the prompts to enable it (you may be asked to confirm eligibility or download components).
- If you don’t see Apple Intelligence options, your device may not be supported.
Translate a Phone Call in Real Time
- Place or answer a one‑to‑one call in the Phone app.
- In the call interface, tap the Live Translation control.
- Select your language and the other person’s language. The first time you choose a language pair, your iPhone will download the necessary pack—use Wi‑Fi for faster setup.
- Wait for the “Translating [language]” indicator at the bottom of the screen.
- Speak naturally. You’ll hear the other caller’s speech translated into your language, and they’ll hear your words translated into theirs.
End Translation Without Ending the Call
- During the call, tap the Live Translation control again.
- Choose Stop Translating to return to a standard call.
Accuracy, Privacy, and Limitations
- On‑device processing: Live Translation runs locally using Apple Intelligence’s generative models. Quality can vary, so double‑check critical details like addresses, dates, or numbers.
- Supported conversations: One‑to‑one phone calls in the Phone app. Group calls and certain call types may not be supported.
- Languages: English (US/UK), French (France), German, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish (Spain). Additional dialects or regions aren’t supported at this time.
- Audio conditions: Background noise, overlapping speech, or low-quality connections can reduce accuracy. Automated systems (like IVR menus) may translate inconsistently.
- Connectivity and charges: Language packs download the first time you use a pair. Using mobile data instead of Wi‑Fi may incur charges depending on your carrier plan.
Tips for Better Results
- Use a quiet environment and speak clearly, one person at a time.
- Confirm you’ve picked the correct dialect (e.g., English US vs UK, Spanish Spain).
- Allow the initial language pack download to complete before starting the conversation.
- If the translation seems off, rephrase in shorter sentences and avoid slang or idioms.
With the right setup and a steady connection, Live Translation in iOS 26 can make cross-language calls feel effortless—no scheduling an interpreter, no switching apps, just a tap in the Phone interface and your iPhone handles the rest.
