Updated
Updated · Tom's Guide · Jul 20
iPhone Messages Adds Real-Time Translation for 20 Languages on iPhone 15 Pro and Newer
Updated
Updated · Tom's Guide · Jul 20

iPhone Messages Adds Real-Time Translation for 20 Languages on iPhone 15 Pro and Newer

3 articles · Updated · Tom's Guide · Jul 20

Summary

  • Apple’s Messages app can now translate incoming and outgoing texts in real time across 20 languages on iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max and models released after 2024.
  • Users enable the feature inside a conversation by turning on “Automatically Translate” and choosing a language, after which translated text appears instantly beneath each sent and received message.
  • The tool works entirely on the iPhone, so the other person does not need Apple Intelligence or even an iPhone; Android users can be translated too.
  • That on-device processing also keeps conversations private, while the same translation system extends to FaceTime, phone calls, the Translate app and AirPods Pro.

Insights

With a key EU deadline approaching, why is Apple's live translation feature unavailable to millions of users?
Is Apple's expensive translation feature worth its price when free alternatives offer more languages?
Why does Apple's privacy-focused AI rely on rival Google's cloud for its most demanding tasks?