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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteYou can adjust AirPods audio from Control Centre or the connected AirPods’ settings on an iPhone or iPad. The right controls depend on your model: choose a listening mode for outside sound, use accessibility settings to tune playback, or select Spatial Audio options for supported content. Not every AirPods model has every feature.
Choose how much outside sound you hear
With your AirPods in and connected to an iPhone or iPad, open Control Centre, then touch and hold the volume control. Tap Listening Mode and select an available option. Apple’s listening-mode guide explains which modes are supported by different models.
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- Noise Cancellation reduces external sound, which can suit listening in a noisy place.
- Transparency lets environmental sound through, useful when you want to remain more aware of your surroundings.
- Off turns off the listening modes where the option is available.
- Adaptive blends Noise Cancellation and Transparency, adjusting how much surrounding sound comes through as conditions change. On supported models, you can tune the amount of ambient sound in the AirPods settings under Listening Mode > Adaptive.
These modes serve different purposes; there is no universally best choice. Apple’s Adaptive Audio guide describes Adaptive Audio and its related features.
Adjust automatic volume and conversation features
Adaptive Audio
If your AirPods support Adaptive Audio, connect them and open their settings on your iPhone or iPad. Under Listening Mode, open Adaptive and move the slider to allow more or less ambient sound. Apple also documents ways to reach these settings on Mac through Control Centre or System Settings. Its guidance says settings carry across Apple devices when AirPods switch devices.
#1 Best Overall
- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO — Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you, creating a theater-like listening experience for music, TV shows, movies, games, and more.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — AirPods 4 feature the Apple-designed H2 chip. Voice Isolation improves the quality of phone calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
- LONG BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge. And get up to 30 hours of total listening time using the case.*
Personalized Volume
Personalized Volume adjusts media volume in response to environmental conditions and learned listening preferences. To turn it on, go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the information button beside your connected AirPods, and enable Personalized Volume. On some software interfaces, the option may be nested under Audio & Routing.
Conversation Awareness
When supported and enabled, Conversation Awareness lowers media volume and enhances nearby voices when you start talking. It can be useful when you want to speak without first removing your AirPods. To end the feature manually, press and hold the AirPods stem. Its availability and controls depend on the model and software; check Apple’s listening-mode instructions.
Rank #2
- WORLD’S BEST IN-EAR ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — Removes up to 2x more unwanted noise than AirPods Pro 2* so you can stay fully immersed in the moment.*
- BREAKTHROUGH AUDIO PERFORMANCE — Experience breathtaking, three-dimensional audio with AirPods Pro 3. A new acoustic architecture delivers transformed bass, detailed clarity so you can hear every instrument, and stunningly vivid vocals.
- HEART RATE SENSING — Built-in heart rate sensing lets you track your heart rate and calories burned for up to 50 different workout types.* With iPhone, you will have access to the Move ring, step count, and the new Workout Buddy,* powered by Apple Intelligence.*
- LIVE TRANSLATION — Communicate across language barriers using Live Translation,* enabled by Apple Intelligence.*
- EXTENDED BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 8 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation on a single charge. Or up to 10 hours in Transparency using the Hearing Aid feature.*
Tune sound for hearing and comfort
Headphone Accommodations lets you adjust certain frequencies and amplify soft sounds for media and calls. On iPhone or iPad, open Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual > Headphone Accommodations and turn the feature on. You can choose Customize Audio or select a tuning option manually, such as Balanced Tone, Vocal Range or Brightness, then adjust the amplification level.
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On supported AirPods Pro models, you can also customize Transparency. Apple’s Headphone Accommodations guide provides model and setup details. These are personal sound controls, not a diagnosis or a guaranteed treatment for a hearing condition.
Rank #3
- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation help reduce outside noise before it reaches your ears, so you can immerse yourself in what you’re listening to.*
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU — The powerful H2 chip comes to AirPods 4. Adaptive Audio seamlessly blends ANC and Transparency mode — which lets you comfortably hear and interact with the world around you exactly as it sounds — to provide the best listening experience in any environment.* And when you’re speaking with someone nearby, Conversation Awareness automatically lowers the volume of what’s playing.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — Voice Isolation improves the quality of calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
Set Spatial Audio and head tracking
Spatial Audio options are relevant when you are playing supported content. On iPhone or iPad, open Control Centre, touch and hold the volume control, tap Spatial Audio, and choose an available setting:
- Off disables Spatial Audio.
- Fixed provides Spatial Audio without head tracking.
- Head Tracked adjusts the perceived position of the sound as you move your head.
Apple says the selection is saved per supported app. Personalized Spatial Audio can be configured using an iPhone X or later. See Apple’s Spatial Audio and head-tracking guide for details.
Rank #4
- Automatically on, automatically connected
- Easy setup for all your Apple devices
- Quick access to Siri by saying “Hey Siri”
- Double-tap to play or skip forward
- New Apple H1 headphone chip delivers faster wireless connection to your devices
Check which features your AirPods support
Feature availability varies by AirPods model and operating-system version, and some settings may also vary by region. Apple’s current Adaptive Audio guidance lists Adaptive Audio for AirPods 4 (ANC), AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2. That does not mean every feature described here works on all four models. Check Apple’s model-specific Adaptive Audio information and listening-mode guide before looking for a control that may not appear. For example, Apple notes that Loud Sound Reduction is available only in some countries or regions for specified models.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →To find your AirPods’ settings, connect them and look near the top of Settings on iPhone or iPad. Many listening controls are also available by expanding the volume control in Control Centre. Labels and menu locations can change with software updates.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Active Noise Cancellation blocks outside noise, so you can immerse yourself in music
- Transparency mode for hearing and interacting with the world around you
- Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you
- Adaptive EQ automatically tunes music to your ears
- Three sizes of soft, tapered silicone tips for a customizable fit
Pick settings for the situation
- For less outside noise: use Noise Cancellation, if your model supports it.
- For more awareness of your surroundings: choose Transparency, or tune Adaptive Audio to allow more ambient sound.
- For changing environments: try Adaptive Audio on a supported model; choose a manual mode if you prefer direct control.
- For easier nearby conversation: use Conversation Awareness if available.
- For a more personally tuned sound: try Headphone Accommodations and adjust the settings to your preference.
- For supported immersive playback: compare Fixed and Head Tracked Spatial Audio, or turn it off if you prefer conventional playback.
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