Categories: Science and Tech

Apple iOS 26.1 Beta 1 Adds 8 New Languages for Apple Intelligence & AirPods Translation

Apple’s iOS 26.1 Beta 1 adds new languages for Apple Intelligence and AirPods Live Translation, expanding support for iPhone 15, 16, and 17 series.

Published by
Neerja Mishra

Apple released the iOS 26.1 Beta 1 update for eligible iPhones on Monday, and the update brings more languages to Apple Intelligence, Apple’s AI system. Along with this, it also adds new languages for the Live Translation feature on AirPods.

This update will help Apple devices understand and translate more languages, making communication easier for users around the world. People can now use iPhones and AirPods to translate conversations in real time.

Expanded Language Support in iOS 26.1 Beta

Apple did not give many details in the update notes. The notes only say: “iOS 26 beta gives you an early preview of the upcoming apps, features, and technologies.” The build number of this update is 23B5044l.

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According to MacRumors, Apple Intelligence now supports eight new languages:

  • Danish
  • Dutch
  • Norwegian
  • Portuguese (Portugal)
  • Swedish
  • Turkish
  • Chinese (Traditional)
  • Vietnamese

Apple first announced this language expansion at its September 2024 event. The update is now available to beta testers.

AirPods Live Translation Gets More Languages

Earlier this month, Apple introduced the AirPods Pro (3rd Generation) with a Live Translation feature. This feature uses Apple Intelligence to translate conversations instantly.

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With the iOS 26.1 Beta 1 update, this feature now supports additional languages, including:

  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Italian
  • Chinese (Mandarin Traditional)
  • Chinese (Simplified)

AirPods users can now communicate more easily in different languages. Real-time translations make it easier to travel, work, or chat with people from other countries.

Live Translation Feature: Compatibility & Limitations

The iOS 26.1 Beta works with all iPhones that already have the stable iOS 26 update. Users must also be enrolled in the Apple Beta Software Program.

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However, the Apple Intelligence features are limited to:

  • iPhone 15 Pro
  • iPhone 15 Pro Max
  • iPhone 16 series
  • iPhone 17 series

This ensures that AI features work smoothly on higher-end devices without slowing down performance.

Apple Boosts Real-Time Communication

This update shows that Apple is working to break language barriers in daily life around the world. People can now use iPhones and AirPods to translate conversations in real time, making communication easier for work, travel, or social use.

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This also shows Apple’s goal of making AI features available globally, and by adding more languages, Apple strengthens its AI system. This makes iPhones and AirPods more useful for users worldwide. 

Neerja Mishra
Published by Neerja Mishra