Apple Translate review
7.5/10★★★★★Apple's free, private translator, with Live Translation through AirPods
- Best for
- iPhone users who value privacy and want hands-free translation with AirPods
- Price
- Free
Free: Built into iPhone, iPad and Mac - Platforms
- iOS, Mac
- Made by
- Apple, Cupertino, USA
- App store ratings
- iOS 2.4★ (10K)
What it is
Apple's Translate app translates text, speech, camera images and conversations on iPhone, iPad and Mac, and can work entirely on the device. With iOS 26, Live Translation also works hands-free through recent AirPods and in Messages and FaceTime.
Latest: September 2025: Live Translation through AirPods arrived with iOS 26.
What the AI does
- On-device translation
- Conversation mode
- Camera translation
- Live Translation through AirPods
- Translation in Messages and FaceTime
Pros and cons
- Free, private and can run fully offline
- Hands-free Live Translation with AirPods
- Built into Messages and FaceTime
- Least accurate in every language Which? tested
- Only about 19 languages
- Low App Store rating
How it scores
Convenient, private and free for Apple users, but accuracy and language range trail the leaders.
Feature checklist · 5 of 9
- Translates 100+ languages (no)
- Works offline (yes)
- Translates text in photos or through the camera (yes)
- Spoken conversation or speech translation (yes)
- Translates whole documents or files (no)
- Translates inside other apps or on websites (yes)
- Choose formality or translation style (no)
- Custom glossary for your own terms (no)
- Hands-free translation through earbuds (yes)
Alternatives
See all Apple Translate alternatives, ranked →
- Google Translate 8.8/10Travellers and anyone who needs a free translator for almost any language
- DeepL 8.6/10Professionals and students who want natural-sounding translations, especially between European languages
- Naver Papago 8.3/10Travellers to Korea, Japan, China and Southeast Asia
- Microsoft Translator 8.1/10Microsoft 365 users who want a free translator that matches what they use at work
Google Translate vs Apple Translate