Everyone will want to try Apple's live translation this fall. Here's where to find it

Live translation runs on device, and can translate text and speech across several apps.

- BY JASON CROSS

When Apple releases its new operating systems this fall, it's going to imbue them with the ability to do live, real-time translation in its most critical communications apps. This new capability runs entirely on device, so none of your sensitive communications go anywhere. And it works in multiple apps and even on multiple devices.

PHONE CALLS

The most obvious application is in the Phone app. When you call someone who is speaking a foreign language, your device can translate for you.

Your words are translated on screen in real time, and then spoken with a synthesized voice for the caller. When they talk, you'll see their words translated on your screen and hear a spoken voice saying them in your language.

Since this all happens on your iPhone, the other caller can be on any device, even an old landline.

And now that the Phone app is coming to macOS 26 (fave.co/40tNQ7w) and iPadOS 26 (fave.co/4lppRP4), you get this experience on iPad and Mac, not just on iPhone.