AirPods include no apparent controls, so it’s simple to suppose you simply stick them in your ears and begin listening. However Apple’s wi-fi earbuds supply options that aren’t instantly apparent. We just lately revealed six hidden suggestions and methods for AirPods. Now listed below are a couple of extra you won’t know.
The most recent group covers the best way to simply management your AirPods, the best way to discover a misplaced one, and a easy strategy to lengthen their battery life.
AirPods methods for (virtually) all
As a result of there are a number of Apple wi-fi earbud fashions to select from, throughout a variety of costs, not each AirPods trick applies to each machine. Those right here work for all variations of AirPods and AirPods Professional. However AirPods Max over-the-ear headphones are excluded — they’re simply too totally different.
None of the following tips are secrets and techniques. It’s fairly attainable you recognize about a number of of them already. Or perhaps you don’t — I usually uncover that folks aren’t conscious of options of their Apple units that I feel are frequent data.
1. AirPods include customizable controls
Picture: Cult of Mac
Look at an AirPod and it’s simple to suppose the earbud has no exterior controls. Really, it does. Precisely what kind these take depends upon your mannequin, however all AirPods fashions have them.
Authentic and second-gen AirPods detect faucets on the prime of their stems. It doesn’t matter if the stem is on the left or proper earbud. A double faucet will routinely reply an incoming name. Or you may set the digital button to play and pause audio content material, play the following monitor, activate Siri or do different issues. (Go to Apple’s help web site for extra particulars on altering settings on AirPods 1 or 2.)
On AirPods 3 and AirPods 4 (each the common model and AirPods 4 with Lively Noise Cancellation), Apple added a pressure sensor in a small indentation on the stem (both one). The variety of occasions you press it controls what occurs. Press as soon as to play or pause audio, or to reply a name in case your iPhone is ringing. Double-press to leap to the following monitor. Triple-press to leap again a monitor. Press and maintain to activate Siri.
For AirPods 4 with ANC, you may press and maintain the stem to modify between Noise Cancellation, Transparency and Adaptive Audio. You can also customise precisely how the switching works. (On an iPhone along with your AirPods 4 with ANC related, go to Settings > [Your AirPods name]. On a Mac, go the Apple menu > System Settings, then choose your AirPods identify within the sidebar.)
AirPods Professional and AirPods Professional 2
For AirPods Professional and AirPods Professional 2, Apple added a sensor to the stems. Urgent it prompts the identical controls as AirPods 3.
However with AirPods Professional 1 and a couple of, you might have further choices. You possibly can set the earbuds to toggle between Noise Cancellation and Transparency modes while you press and maintain the stem, or to activate Siri as a substitute. (Get extra particulars on altering AirPods Professional settings from Apple’s help web site.)
Solely with AirPods Professional 2, you may calmly swipe up or down on the stem to regulate the amount.
When you’ve got additional questions, go to the AirPods controls web page on Apple’s help web site.
Head gestures for AirPods 4 and AirPods Professional 2
Apple additionally added head gestures to AirPods 4 and AirPods Professional 2 to answer Siri‘s bulletins. You possibly can merely nod your head up and down such as you’re saying “Sure” to simply accept an incoming name or reply to notifications or messages. To say no a name or dismiss notifications/messages, shake your head back and forth such as you’re saying, “No.”
As Apple notes, you will need to activate Announce Calls and Announce Notifications to make use of these head gestures. (On iPhone, go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri to modify on these options.)
2. Discovering your AirPods is just not a trick
Picture: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Individuals who battle to search out misplaced AirPods are most likely unaware that Apple builds in instruments that can assist you find them. Each model of AirPods helps the Discover My app and repair. Open the app in your iPhone, choose the Gadgets tab, then select your AirPods.
Specify which AirPod is lacking (left or proper) and also you’ll be proven its location on a map.
As soon as you might be near your misplaced AirPod, you can also make it play a sound. Within the Discover My app, choose the Gadgets tab, then select your AirPods, and faucet Play Sound.
All that is very helpful should you took your AirPods out and forgot the place you set them. But it surely’s not useful if they’re nonetheless contained in the case.
With AirPods Professional 2 (and solely AP2), you may monitor the placement of the case or have it play a sound. For all different fashions, it’s best to take into account attaching an AirTag or a related monitoring tag to the case.
For extra particulars, go to Apple’s web page on discovering your misplaced AirPods.
3. Use one AirPod at a time for all-day listening
AirPods final 5 – 6 hours earlier than needing a recharge, not a complete workday. However there’s a straightforward strategy to hold listening to music or podcasts for twice as lengthy: Use solely a single AirPod at a time.
It’s not a super resolution — it’s tougher to shut out the world, if that’s your objective. Perhaps put an earplug within the different ear.
Your iPhone or Mac gained’t care that you’ve got solely a single AirPod in an ear. You don’t have to vary any settings.
Do that, and you’ll perhaps get 10 or 12 hours of steady listening out of two AirPods.
We initially revealed this publish on AirPods methods on August 17, 2023. We up to date the data.
