iOS 26 Makes Multilingual Conversations Effortless with Live Translations in FaceTime and Messages

Apple is changing the way we communicate across languages with a new feature in iOS 26 that brings real-time translation directly into FaceTime and Messages. Designed to feel native and unobtrusive, the feature lets users hold natural conversations without needing to speak the same language — and without ever leaving the app.

In FaceTime, live subtitles appear instantly on-screen, translating what’s being said while preserving the speaker’s original voice. It makes video calls with friends, family, or colleagues around the world easier to follow, no matter the language.

Meanwhile, Messages now supports automatic translation as you type. Your message appears in the other person’s preferred language, and their replies are translated back in real time — creating smooth, uninterrupted chats between speakers of entirely different languages.

All of this happens privately on the device, powered by Apple’s latest AI models. No internet connection or cloud processing is required, keeping conversations secure while delivering fast, fluid translations.

With these updates, Apple is quietly turning the iPhone into a universal communicator — one where language no longer gets in the way.