Apple Unveils Live Translation for Messages, FaceTime, and Phone Calls with Apple Intelligence

What you need to Know

• Apple introduces Live Translation for Messages, FaceTime, and Phone calls.

• Powered by Apple Intelligence with on-device processing for privacy.

• FaceTime will offer live captions to translate spoken words visually.

• Apple hasn’t confirmed how many languages will be supported at launch.

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At WWDC, Apple introduced a significant breakthrough for multilingual real-time communication the introduction of Live Translation, which is powered by Apple Intelligence. Live Translation is a new feature that would eliminate language barriers in Messages, FaceTime, and even phone calls, all while maintaining privacy at its center. Live Translation is "enabled by Apple-built models that run entirely on your device," according to Apple's director of input experience, Leslie Ikemoto, meaning that your private conversations remain private and secure.

With Live Translation in Messages, users are now able to type in their own language and have the message automatically translated into the other person's chosen language in real-time as they type. When the other individual responds, each received message is automatically translated as well, enabling smooth two-way communication in multiple languages without having to copy-paste into translation apps.

The feature comes to FaceTime as well, where Apple will offer live captions for video calls. This enables users to keep track even when the other party is using a foreign language a game-changer for worldwide discussions, distributed teams, or overseas family calls. In the same way, even in the conventional telephone calls, whether you're communicating with another Apple user or not, your words will be translated in real time and spoken out to the receiver. As the other person responds in their language, you’ll receive a spoken translation in return, effectively creating a real-time multilingual voice conversation.

Apple is also opening up this technology to developers. As one observer, Leslie Ikemoto, said during the event, a new API will allow it to be simple to turn Live Translation on in third-party communication apps. This creates a broad set of opportunities for app developers who wish to provide real-time translation on their platforms, based on Apple's on-device AI models.

While Apple hasn't announced how many languages Live Translation will be available in at release, the fact that it's being offered in Messages, FaceTime, and even phone calls demonstrates a clear desire to make iOS more global and inclusive. Apple isn't merely offering a feature with Live Translation; it's creating a more connected experience that's natural, fast, and personal.