Apple has begun beta testing iOS 26.2, and the company has confirmed that the update will be available for all iPhone users next month. In a statement released across European markets, Apple revealed it will expand the Live Translation feature for AirPods to the European Union in December, making cross-language conversations more accessible and seamless.
Live Translation for AirPods debuted as one of the most notable innovations at the iPhone 17 event. Until now, European users were unable to access this functionality due to restrictions imposed by the Digital Markets Act (DMA). With iOS 26.1, Apple expanded support to additional languages, and now, the company says it is ready to finally launch the feature in Europe.
In the announcement, Apple emphasized the impact of the DMA on its rollout schedule:
“The launch of Live Translate on AirPods has been delayed for users in the EU due to additional engineering required to comply with the requirements of the Digital Markets Act.”
This statement underscores the complexity of adapting features for regulatory compliance while maintaining user experience standards.
iOS x.2 Release Timeline
Historically, Apple releases the x.2 updates for iOS in December, following several weeks of beta testing. If the company maintains its established pace—typically spacing out the first two betas by a couple of weeks, followed by weekly releases until beta 4—users can expect iOS 26.2 to arrive around mid-December.
Here is a look at previous iOS x.2 release dates and highlights:
- iOS 18.2: Launched on December 11, 2024, introducing Image Playground, Genmoji, and several new features.
- iOS 17.2: Released on December 11, 2023, featuring the new Journal app and productivity enhancements.
- iOS 16.2: Arrived on December 13, 2022, debuting the Freeform app, Apple Music Sing, and Advanced Data
Protection. - iOS 15.2: Released on December 13, 2021, with the Privacy Report feature and the now-retired Apple Music Voice
plan. - iOS 14.2: Rolled out on November 5, 2020, bringing new emoji, wallpapers, and more customization options.
Given this consistent schedule, iPhone users can look forward to the public release of iOS 26.2 in the coming weeks. For now, only the first beta is available, but further updates are expected throughout November and early December.
Stay tuned for coverage of all the latest changes and features as Apple moves closer to the official launch of iOS 26.2.
