Google is rolling out firmware 6.144 for its Pixel Buds. According to 9to5Google and BGR, the update lets you start Live Translate with a touch on the earbud, so your phone can stay in your pocket. It covers the Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Pixel Buds 2a. 9to5Google published its report on October 6, 2026, and BGR followed on October 7.
Press, hold, talk
BGR says you can press and hold an earbud, or ask Gemini to “translate for me,” to open Google Translate in listening mode. The app translates more than 70 languages in real time, BGR reports. In conversation mode, your translated speech plays through the phone’s speaker and the other person’s translated reply plays in your earbuds.
9to5Google says the feature works with the Google Translate app. Neither article lists which phones support it. BGR says Live Translate can be used offline and links to a separate how-to guide, but doesn’t say which languages work offline. The update also adds Dynamic Active Noise Cancellation on the Pixel Buds Pro 2 only, Tap to Mute for calls on a paired Pixel phone, and auto-pause when a Pixel Watch detects you have fallen asleep. To check for it, open the Pixel Buds app, go to More settings, and select Firmware update.
A faster door into an older feature
Google announced live translation for earbuds earlier. This update only makes it quicker to start. TechRadar reported in December 2025 that live translation was rolling out to all earbuds on Android in beta, in the U.S., Mexico, and India, with more than 70 languages. Google said the upgrade “works to preserve the tone, emphasis, and cadence of each speaker.” That’s Google’s own claim, and TechRadar did not independently test it.
So for other brands of earbuds, the December report is the one to go by: beta, select countries, Android.
Why It Matters to You
If you travel, have relatives who speak another language, or talk with neighbors who do, you can now start Live Translate from the earbud without taking out your phone. The update is rolling out for Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Pixel Buds 2a owners, and it needs the Google Translate app. Offline use is reported without detail on languages, which matters if you’re counting on it somewhere with a poor signal.
What the reports leave open
Start with that “70 languages” figure. It’s a language count for the Translate app. It doesn’t mean every language works equally well, or that every one works offline. Neither article gives accuracy data, and we found no independent test of translation quality in noisy places. Neither mentions a charge for the update, though Google’s pricing for the Translate app and Gemini features can change.
The original Pixel Buds Pro is murkier. 9to5Google says it was removed from the announcement. BGR says it was slated for the update but may not get the new features. Treat that model as unconfirmed. Some features also carry extra requirements: Tap to Mute needs a Pixel phone, and auto-pause needs a Pixel Watch. And machine translation can make mistakes. For medical, legal, or school meetings, ask for a qualified human interpreter.
Quick answers
Which Pixel Buds get the update?
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Pixel Buds 2a, per both articles. Reports differ on the original Pixel Buds Pro.
How do I start Live Translate?
Press and hold an earbud, or ask Gemini to “translate for me.” You need the Google Translate app and the latest Pixel Buds app.
Does it work offline?
BGR says yes, without detail. Download languages ahead of time and test before you depend on it.
Sources
- 9to5Google: Pixel Buds Pro update, October 2026 (Oct 6, 2026)
- BGR: Google Pixel Buds update features, October 2026 (Oct 7, 2026)
- TechRadar: Google live translation for any earbuds on Android (Dec 15, 2025)