iOS 26.1 Update. Live Translation Finally Supports Japanese

🍏 iOS 26.1 Update Overview

― Live Translation finally supports Japanese! The evolution of the crystal-clear “Liquid Glass” ―

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🪄 Introduction

Apple has started rolling out the new iOS 26.1.

I did it too.

It’s a fairly large update at 13GB. I updated it while drinking coffee at McDonald's without using Wi-Fi.
It took about 40 minutes.
Depending on the Wi-Fi environment and the device,
the download time varies, and it seems it can take over an hour for some devices.

This was my experience on an iPhone Air with 5G+.

This update feels more like an evolution of the “experience” rather than a visual change.

Of particular note are the Japanese-supported Live Translation and the feature that allows you to adjust the transparency of Liquid Glass to your liking.
Both are updates that allow you to naturally feel that “Apple-ness” in your daily life.

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🗣️ Live Translation finally supports Japanese!

“Live Translation,” which was previously only available in a few languages like English and Chinese,
has finally added Japanese!

For example—
• When talking to locals while traveling abroad
• When you're not good at English during an overseas online meeting
• When you want to know the meaning while listening to overseas news or videos

In those moments, your iPhone will translate in real-time.
And you can even do it while wearing AirPods!
The future where you can understand words you hear in your ears directly in Japanese is here.

It’s so natural that you might think, “Wait, do I not need simultaneous interpretation anymore?”
Another key point is that Apple’s AI works in the background to translate while protecting your privacy.

In addition, Live Translation also works for phone calls, “Messages,” and “FaceTime,” where messages and audio are automatically translated, making communication even easier.

First, let’s check the requirements to use Live Translation. The iPhone must be a model that can use Apple Intelligence (iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16 or later). Apple Intelligence must be turned on. AirPods must be AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 2 or later. Note that it is supported even if it is not the latest AirPods Pro 3. And, of course, you need to update to the latest iPhone with iOS 26.1 or later and the AirPods driver to version 8A356 or later. Next, download the target language in the “Translate” app. That’s all you need to prepare.

After that, just put your AirPods in your ears, switch the Translate app to the “Live” tab, set the “Partner’s Language” and “Your Language,” and tap “Start Translation.”

Since the translation accuracy is still in beta, I understand that those who are fluent in English might have a lot to say, but whether it’s German, Italian, Korean, French, Chinese, etc... it’s certainly convenient to be able to use it even with the AirPods 4 Noise Cancelling model.

I feel that we have entered an era where communities can communicate without an interpreter, regardless of whether it’s an Android smartphone or an iPhone.

I actually tried watching a Korean drama on Netflix with Live Translation on my iPad mini,

It was a difficult legal drama, but the content was fine even with the AirPods 4 Noise Cancelling model.

As expected, Japanese is a bit difficult to translate, so it arrives a little late, but it's still better than nothing.

For more details, please check out my favorite YouTube channel.

💎 What is Liquid Glass?

"Liquid Glass" is a new design element introduced in iOS 26.
It is a mechanism that makes the home screen, widgets, and notifications look as if they are "floating on transparent glass."

In this 26.1 update, you can now adjust that transparency yourself.

For example—
• You want to make it cooler and see more of the background
• You want to lower the transparency to see the text more clearly

You can freely change the visibility and atmosphere to suit your preferences.
I can feel the philosophy that Apple values: "designing your own world."

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🌈 In short, what is so great about it?

These two new features are more of a "natural evolution" than something flashy.
Both symbolize Apple's AI that stays close to people.

Live translation erases language barriers.
Liquid Glass erases visual barriers.

Truly, it is "transparent technology."
As you use it, it becomes so natural that you don't even notice the AI or the translation.
I think this is the "human-friendly AI" that Apple is aiming for.



✨ Thoughts as an Apple fan

Apple's updates are about accumulating "comfort" rather than just numbers.
Every time new features are added, I feel like the distance between people and technology gets a little closer.

This time it's "translation" and "transparency."
In other words, an update that allows you to see what you couldn't see before.
It's simple, but this is exactly the kind of evolution that is typical of Apple.

Your daily iPhone becomes just a little bit kinder.
I think that is the true charm of iOS 26.1.

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🏷️ Tag candidates

#AppleFan #iOS26 #LiveTranslation #LiquidGlass #Update #AirPods #iPhoneAirLife #ApplePhilosophy

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Regarding security updates

The content includes issues where apps could obtain information about other installed apps, leakage of confidential information, unexpected system crashes, kernel memory corruption, sandbox bypasses, lock screen bypasses, and vulnerabilities in "Safari" and "WebKit." While there are no reports of exploitation at this time, there is a risk that they could lead to greater damage when combined with other vulnerabilities.

Please take action as soon as possible.

Updates have also been made to the recording function. When recording by connecting an external USB microphone, you can now directly control the gain (volume). Additionally, you can now specify the save location for recorded audio files, which is a practical improvement for users who do podcasts or field recordings.