Google Translate now lets you hear real-time translations in your headphones

Google is rolling out a new beta feature that allows users to hear real-time translations directly through their headphones, the company announced on Friday. In addition to this new capability, Google is also integrating more advanced Gemini-powered translation features and expanding its language-learning tools within the Translate app.

According to Google, the real-time headphone translation experience maintains each speaker's tone, emphasis, and cadence, making it easier to follow conversations and distinguish between voices. The feature effectively turns any pair of headphones into a one-way, real-time translation device.

"Whether you're trying to have a conversation in a different language, listen to a speech or lecture while abroad, or watch a TV show or film in another language, you can now put in your headphones, open the Translate app, tap 'Live translate' and hear a real-time translation in your preferred language," said Rose Yao, Google's VP of Product Management for Search Verticals.

Image Credits: Google

The beta is now rolling out in the Translate app on Android across the U.S., Mexico, and India. It works with any set of headphones and supports more than 70 languages. Google says the feature will expand to iOS and additional countries in 2026.

Advanced Gemini translations come to Google Translate.e

Google is also bringing new Gemini-enhanced translation abilities to improve quality and nuance. These upgrades aim to provide more natural, context-aware translations—especially for phrases that rely on cultural or idiomatic meaning.

For instance, translating the English idiom "stealing my thunder" will now provide an accurate contextual translation rather than a literal, word-for-word output. Gemini's language understanding enables it to interpret the phrase's actual meaning in context.

Image Credits: Google

This update is now rolling out in the U.S. and India for translations between English and nearly 20 languages, including Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and German. The improved translations are available in the Translate app on Android and iOS, as well as on the web.

Google expands language learning feature.s

Google is expanding its language learning tools to nearly 20 new countries, including Germany, India, Sweden, and Taiwan. English speakers can now practice German, while speakers of Bengali, Mandarin Chinese (Simplified), Dutch, German, Hindi, Italian, Romanian, and Swedish can practice English.

The new and improved feedback feature provides users with actionable tips based on their speaking exercises.

Google is also adding streak tracking, allowing users to see how many consecutive days they've practised—a motivational feature similar to what Duolingo popularised. While Translate has long been positioned as a lightweight alternative to dedicated language-learning apps, this new feature brings the experience closer to full learning platforms.