On a compatible AirPods model, open Settings > [your AirPods name] > Audio & Routing > Equalizer > Custom, then adjust the Low, Mid, and High sliders. Choose Recommended to restore Apple’s default profile. The control is for supported AirPods—not a system-wide equalizer for every Bluetooth headphone.
Adjust the AirPods EQ on your iPhone
- Connect your AirPods to your iPhone and put them in your ears.
- Open Settings and tap your AirPods’ name near the top of the screen.
- Tap Audio & Routing, then Equalizer.
- Choose Custom.
- Move the Low, Mid, and High sliders up or down until the sound suits you. Apple’s AirPods User Guide explains the three-band control.
Apple says a custom EQ setting is stored on the AirPods and carries over to other paired devices. That means the profile follows the AirPods rather than acting as an iPhone-wide setting.
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Restore the recommended sound profile
Return to Settings > [your AirPods name] > Audio & Routing > Equalizer and select Recommended. This turns off your Custom EQ and returns to Apple’s recommended profile.
Check whether your AirPods support Custom EQ
Apple lists these compatible models and generations: AirPods 4 or later, AirPods Pro 2 or later, and AirPods Max 2. The control appears in AirPods settings when a supported pair is connected. Apple’s compatibility and feature guidance does not list every AirPods generation, so do not assume the original AirPods Max or an earlier model has this option.
#1 Best Overall
- 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 EQ, Music EQ, and Headphone Accommodations are different
AirPods Custom EQ changes the AirPods’ sound profile with Low, Mid, and High controls, and its custom setting is stored on the AirPods. Music EQ is a separate playback setting for Apple Music; changing it does not configure the AirPods Custom EQ control. MacRumors describes this distinction in its iOS 27 AirPods EQ coverage.
Headphone Accommodations is a hearing-oriented accessibility feature, not another name for the three-slider EQ. Find it under Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual > Headphone Accommodations. Apple says it can amplify soft sounds and adjust certain frequencies. Its setup instructions treat Music EQ and AirPods Equalizer as separate controls: they ask users to set Music EQ to Off and AirPods Equalizer to Recommended before configuring accommodations. See Apple’s Headphone Accommodations guide.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
Rank #4
- 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.*
Rank #3
- 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 #2
- 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.*
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