brought its Gemini AI models to Google Translate in August to enhance the translation experience for users, as well as to introduce new features to the app, including support for real-time translation for face-to-face conversations. This feature would facilitate communication with locals while traveling if you don’t share a common language. However, it was initially available only in beta and restricted to users in the U.S., Mexico, and India. Additionally, real-time translation initially functioned solely with Pixel wireless earphones. Fast-forward to mid-December, and Google is set to broaden the availability of real-time translation by enabling Google Translate users to utilize any type of wireless earphones while accessing the feature.
Google stated in a blog post that the capability to hear real-time translation through your headphones remains a beta experience rather than a finished product. “This new experience aims to maintain the tone, emphasis, and rhythm of each speaker to produce more natural translations and simplify following who said what,” Google mentioned. The feature is also applicable to other scenarios where users might benefit from real-time translation, such as listening to a speech or lecture or viewing content in various languages.
The beta remains accessible in the same three regions: the U.S., Mexico, and India. Moreover, only Android device users can avail themselves of real-time translations via headphones while using Google Translate, but Google indicates it will introduce the feature to iPhone next year. Google will also add more languages in 2026, in addition to the 70+ languages currently available. To utilize real-time translation in Google Translate while wearing headphones, one simply needs to open the app and click the “Live translate” button, provided the language is supported.