To customize AirPods EQ on a compatible pair in iOS 27, connect and wear your AirPods, then go to Settings > [your AirPods name] > Audio & Routing > Equalizer > Custom. Adjust the Low, Mid, and High sliders to tune the sound. Apple lists AirPods 4 or later, AirPods Pro 2 or later, and AirPods Max 2 as compatible models.
Change AirPods EQ from iPhone Settings
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Put on your AirPods and make sure they are connected to your iPhone.
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Open Settings, then tap your AirPods name near the top of the screen.
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Tap Audio & Routing > Equalizer > Custom.
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Move the Low, Mid, and High sliders to adjust the sound.
#1 Best Overall
Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds- 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.*
Apple describes Custom EQ as three frequency-band controls, not a multi-band graphic equalizer. If you want to turn off your custom adjustment, return to the Equalizer screen and select Recommended.
Check whether your AirPods support Custom EQ
Apple’s compatibility list, published September 14, 2026, names these models:
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.*
- AirPods 4 or later
- AirPods Pro 2 or later
- AirPods Max 2
Apple does not list earlier models as compatible with this control, so the Equalizer option may not appear for them. See Apple’s AirPods EQ guide for the current instructions and compatibility details.
Where your Custom EQ setting is saved
Apple says Custom EQ settings are stored on the AirPods and carry over to other paired devices. You do not need to recreate the setting each time you switch to another paired device.
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.*
Custom EQ and Headphone Accommodations are different settings
Use Custom EQ for the Low, Mid, and High controls. For hearing-focused frequency adjustments or soft-sound amplification, use Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual > Headphone Accommodations. Apple says Headphone Accommodations can be applied to phone calls or media playback.
| Setting | Where to find it | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Custom EQ | Settings > AirPods name > Audio & Routing > Equalizer | Adjust Low, Mid, and High bands. |
| Headphone Accommodations | Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual > Headphone Accommodations | Adjust frequencies or amplify soft sounds for calls or media playback. |
Adjust AirPods Pro Transparency audio separately
For supported AirPods Pro, Headphone Accommodations also includes controls for Transparency mode, including amplification, transparency balance, and tone. These tune Transparency mode; they are separate from the three-band Custom EQ sliders. Apple’s Transparency audio guide covers those controls.
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
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
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