iPhone (iOS) · Devices
Customize Your Connected AirPods
Once AirPods are paired, a dedicated settings page appears for them with controls for noise control modes, spatial audio, press-and-hold gestures, and battery levels for each earbud and the case.
How to open AirPods Settings
- Open Settings and tap your AirPods' name (or Settings → Bluetooth → tap the ⓘ next to your AirPods).
- Choose a Noise Control mode as the default or set it per press-and-hold.
- Customize the press-and-hold action for each earbud stem.
- Toggle Spatial Audio and Automatic Ear Detection as desired.
What you should know
- Switch between Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and Adaptive Audio (on supported models).
- Customize what press-and-hold on the stem does for each AirPod.
- Turn on Spatial Audio with head tracking for supported video and music content.
- View individual battery percentages for the left bud, right bud, and charging case.
Some features, like Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness, only appear on newer AirPods Pro models and require a recent iOS version.
Why it matters
AirPods are one of the most frequently used Apple accessories, and small setting changes here — like disabling Automatic Ear Detection or remapping the stem gesture — directly affect daily comfort and battery life. Getting noise control and spatial audio configured properly is also what makes the difference between AirPods feeling like a basic earbud and a fully featured audio accessory.
Best practices
- Turn off Automatic Ear Detection if you want music to keep playing even when you remove one AirPod.
- Set Transparency mode as your default if you frequently need to hear your surroundings, like while walking or commuting.
- Check the battery widget or the AirPods settings page before a long trip rather than assuming a full charge.
Common problems and fixes
- AirPods settings page or noise control options don't appear
- Make sure the AirPods are connected (not just powered on) via Bluetooth, and that iOS is updated, since older software versions may not show every control.
- Press-and-hold gesture stopped switching noise control modes
- Re-check the assignment under the AirPods settings page, since it can revert to a single fixed mode after a firmware update.
Tips and tricks
- Use 'Find My' to make disconnected AirPods play a sound if you've misplaced them nearby.
- Rename your AirPods from this settings page if you own multiple pairs and want to tell them apart quickly.
Frequently asked questions
Do AirPods update their firmware automatically?
Yes, firmware updates install automatically in the background while the AirPods are charging and in Bluetooth range of an iPhone — there's no manual way to trigger or check on it precisely.
Can I use different noise control settings for each AirPod?
No, Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and Adaptive Audio apply to both earbuds together as a single mode, not independently.
Related settings
- Bluetooth DevicesBluetooth settings let you pair AirPods, headphones, speakers, keyboards, and other accessories, and manage previously connected devices.
- Sounds & HapticsSounds & Haptics controls ringtone and alert tones, ringer and alert volume, and the tactile vibration feedback (haptics) your iPhone provides for calls, texts, and everyday interactions like typing.
- Bluetooth AccessoriesBeyond audio devices, the Bluetooth settings screen manages any paired accessory — external keyboards, game controllers, car infotainment systems, fitness sensors, and more — under the 'My Devices' list.
More Devices guides for iPhone (iOS)
- KeyboardKeyboard settings let you add languages and layouts, configure autocorrect and predictive text, and connect a physical Bluetooth or Magic Keyboard for a more traditional typing experience.
- Apple WatchPairing an Apple Watch is done through the dedicated Watch app on iPhone, which then manages the Watch's settings, apps, and complications, while the paired connection itself is visible under Bluetooth.
- HandoffHandoff lets you start something — a webpage, email, document, or FaceTime call — on your iPhone and instantly pick it up on a nearby iPad or Mac signed in with the same Apple ID, without saving or sending anything manually.
- CarPlayCarPlay settings let you pair a vehicle, arrange which apps appear on the CarPlay screen, configure Siri and notification behavior while driving, and control automatic connection when you get in the car.
- MagSafe & Charging AccessoriesMagSafe and wireless charging settings show connected chargers and battery accessories, support Optimized Battery Charging to protect long-term battery health, and can trigger automatic behaviors when a MagSafe accessory attaches.
- External Storage (Files App)iPhone can connect to USB flash drives, SD card readers, and network file shares through the Files app, letting you browse, copy, and manage content directly from connected external storage.