AirPods settings and support guides

System

Keep your device current and configure core system behavior.

• Firmware UpdatesAirPods firmware updates install automatically in the background while they're charging, in the case, and near a paired iPhone with internet access — there's no manual "check for update" button.

Privacy & Security

Control which apps can access your camera, microphone, and data.

• Find My AirPodsAirPods appear in the Find My app like any other Apple device, using the Find My network to report an approximate location even when they're out of Bluetooth range of your iPhone.

Network & Internet

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and network connection settings.

• Pair AirPods with a DeviceAirPods pair almost instantly with Apple devices signed into the same Apple ID via a one-tap animation, and can also be paired manually with any Bluetooth device, including Windows and Android.
• Audio Sharing Between DevicesAudio Sharing lets a second pair of AirPods (or select Beats headphones) join the same audio stream from one iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV, so two people can listen to the same song or video together.
• Switching Between Devices (Automatic Switching)Automatic switching moves AirPods to whichever Apple device signed into the same Apple ID is actively playing audio — going from a Mac call to an iPhone ringtone to an iPad video without any manual reconnecting.

Display & Sound

Screen, audio, and alert preferences.

• Noise Control (ANC & Transparency)AirPods Pro and AirPods Max offer Active Noise Cancellation to block outside sound, Transparency mode to let it in, and — on newer models — Adaptive Audio, which blends the two automatically based on your environment.
• Spatial Audio & Head TrackingSpatial Audio simulates a surround-sound field for supported movies, shows, and music, and dynamic head tracking keeps that sound field anchored to the screen even as you turn your head.

Accessibility

Assistive features, input, and language & region settings.

• Hearing & Accessibility Features (Conversation Boost, Live Listen)Live Listen turns AirPods into a directional microphone that streams nearby conversation to your ears from across a room, while Conversation Boost on AirPods Pro amplifies the voice of the person in front of you while reducing background noise.

Troubleshooting

Reset, restart, and diagnose common issues.

• Connectivity TroubleshootingMost AirPods connectivity complaints — audio cutting out, only one earbud playing, or AirPods not switching to the device you're actively using — are resolved by a short reset rather than a hardware fault.

Personalization

Themes, wallpaper, lock screen, and layout of your device.

• Automatic Ear DetectionBuilt-in sensors detect when an AirPod is in your ear versus set down or in the case, automatically pausing playback the moment you take one out and resuming when you put it back in.
• Customize Press & Squeeze ControlsDepending on the model, AirPods use a double-tap, a stem squeeze, or a light tap to control playback, calls, Siri, and noise control — and every one of those actions can be reassigned to a different function.

Devices

Mice, keyboards, trackpads, printers, and other connected hardware.

• Battery & Charging CaseEach AirPod and the charging case track battery separately, so a pair that seems to "die fast" is often just a case that isn't holding a charge — not a problem with the earbuds themselves.

Help and tools

• Troubleshooting
• FAQ & Help
• Device info & diagnostics
• Contact & feedback