Unlock Your AirPods' Hidden Audio Controls
Engadget's guide to tweaking AirPods for better sound, smarter noise control, and even hearing assistance.
AirPods are excellent straight out of the box, but a deep dive into their settings can unlock even more utility. The controls vary by model, so it pays to check what your earbuds support. Here are the adjustments that can change your listening experience.
Switching Modes Quickly On AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro, press and hold the stem to toggle between Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, Adaptive, and Off. You can customize what each earbud does—say, one for noise control, the other for Siri. This is a quick way to let ambient sound in when you need to be aware of your surroundings.
Smart Sound Features Personalized Volume listens to your environment and adjusts playback automatically. Conversation Awareness lowers the volume and reduces background noise the moment you start talking. Loud Sound Reduction clamps down on harsh noises, and Personalized Spatial Audio wraps sound around you in 3D.
Hearing Assistance For those with mild to moderate hearing loss, AirPods can act as a hearing aid. The setup requires a hearing test—either Apple's built-in one or an imported result—and you'll need a quiet space for accuracy. The feature amplifies voices and ambient sounds, making everyday conversations easier.
Custom EQ and Headphone Accommodations Apple's native Custom EQ arrives with iOS 27 this fall, though beta testers can try it now. Until then, Headphone Accommodations offer a taste of that control on AirPods 2, 3, 4, Max, and Pro. Head to Settings > Accessibility > Hearing, then choose from Balanced Tone, Vocal Range, or Brightness, and adjust intensity. You can apply these settings to media or phone calls, and even use Mono Audio or a balance slider for hearing imbalances.
In-App Equalizers Streaming services also have their own tools. Apple Music offers a preset EQ and Sound Check for normalized volume. Spotify's equalizer lives in Playback settings, letting you fine-tune frequencies via sliders.
The most useful upgrades might be the ones Apple has tucked away. Whether you're using AirPods for music, calls, or even hearing support, these options tailor the audio to your ears.