The Live Translate feature on recent Pixel devices is a fantastic addition to Google's suite of translation features. Live Translate is exclusive to recent Pixel devices, including the Google Pixel 6, Pixel 7, and Pixel 8 series, as well as the Pixel Fold. It goes above and beyond Google Translate's functionality, adding useful translation features that help with real-time translation.
Live Translate might seem like a small addition to Google Translate's extensive suite of features, but it's a powerful one. This guide shows you how to use this feature to translate languages quickly and easily.
What is Live Translate?
Even long-term Google users may be confused by what Live Translate means. Google isn't sure either, as their support page for Live Translate includes features available in the Google Translate app for all devices.
However, on Pixel devices, Live Translate refers to the feature that can translate languages immediately. It uses Google's Tensor chip, hence its exclusivity on Pixel devices. Essentially, it translates conversations and audio in real time. Texting, calling, or watching videos is more fun with the recently launched Pixel 8 Pro, which uses Android 14. You can see translations of what you hear or see on display.
Like all translation tools, Live Translate isn't perfect. But it's remarkably accurate and is certainly enough to get you through a video in another language.
How to activate Live Translate
Live Translate doesn't work with every language. Only a few languages (German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, and Japanese) work with live media. Currently, Live Translate supports 21 languages. When you activate Live Translate, your Pixel device tells you what features are supported for that language.
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap System.
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Tap Live Translate.
- Turn on the Live Translate switch.
- Tap Add language.
- Scroll down and tap the language you want to translate.
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Tap Add language on the pop-up window.
That's all. You should be able to use Live Translate. Now that you've activated it, let's explore how to use it.
How to use Live Translate
Live Translate works for text conversations and audio captions. If you're wondering how to translate text through your camera or an in-person conversation, Google Translate can help with that.
You'll need to download the language before you start translating. It should only take a few seconds.
How to use Live Translate for texting
When your Pixel device detects a foreign language in your text conversations, it creates a pop-up with the Google Translate logo in the upper-right corner of your screen. Tapping this turns on Live Translate.
However, if you turned off translation or the pop-up doesn't appear (this occasionally happens if there isn't enough text on-screen), you'll need to re-activate it manually. Copy the text and tap the Translate copied text button from the pop-up window.
After it's turned on, you'll see a window at the top of your screen where you'll select the language you see received texts in. To translate your text, start typing. The translated text appears in real time above your draft, so you can preview the text before sending it.
If you want to turn off Live Translate or change how Live Translate works, tap the downward-facing arrow next to the languages. These settings apply to all conversations in that language, not only the current one.
- Ask to translate: Prompts you when it detects a new language on-screen. It doesn't prompt you for every new message.
- Automatically translate: Translates any message detected in that language.
- Don't translate again: Turns off the language in Live Translate. You must return to the Live Translate settings page to re-activate it. This can also be accessed by tapping More Settings at the bottom of this window.
How to use Live Translate for audio
Your Pixel device automatically produces captions for English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish. If you use Live Captions in a call, the other person is notified that you are using this feature.
- To turn on Live Captions, press the Volume button on the side of your phone.
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Tap the Live Caption button below the volume controls on-screen.
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To turn off Live Captions, tap the Live Caption button again.
Translate in real time with Live Translate
Live Translate is a huge step in translation technology thanks to Google's advances in AI technology. While exclusive to Pixel 6, 7, 8, and Pixel Fold devices, we expect this feature will be included with all of Google's future devices.
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Google Pixel 8
The Google Pixel 8 is Google's best phone yet, and it's the most distinct regular model when compared to the Pro version. It comes with a wonderful form factor that fits well in the hands and has the usual software prowess that you expect from a Pixel.
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Google Pixel 8 Pro
The Google Pixel 8 Pro is the company's latest flagship, boasting a new Tensor G3 chip, a brighter screen, and a new camera array capable of capturing even more light. As usual, the real power lies in Google's Tensor chip, which offers even more photo enhancement and image editing features.
