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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →For better sound from the Pixel Buds Pro 2, check the eartip seal before changing EQ. For longer battery life, turn off active noise-control modes when you do not need them. You can also tailor touch gestures, Conversation Detection, and other settings to suit how you use the earbuds.
Open the Pixel Buds Pro 2 settings
On a Pixel phone running Android 10 or later, open Settings → Connected devices, then tap the settings icon beside your paired Pixel Buds. On other Android devices, use the Google Pixel Buds app. Some noise-control options are available only while the earbuds are connected, and labels may vary by device or software version. See Google’s settings guide for the documented route.
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Improve sound: check fit, then tune EQ
Check the eartip seal
Run Eartip Seal Check in the Pixel Buds settings. If the fit is poor, try another of the four included eartip sizes. Google says a proper seal matters for bass response and noise isolation; the check can help identify fit issues, but it is not a guarantee that every sound problem will be fixed.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesChoose an EQ preset or adjust the bands
In the equalizer settings, try Default, Light bass, Heavy bass, Balanced, Vocal boost, Clarity, or Last saved. These are listening preferences, not objective upgrades. If none suits you, the custom equalizer lets you adjust five frequency bands. Google notes that EQ settings do not affect phone-call audio. See Google’s equalizer instructions.
#1 Best Overall
- Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are designed to be the most comfortable earbuds yet, with a twist-to-adjust fit; they’re built for Gemini, with the Tensor chip that powers premium, immersive sound and cancels twice as much noise as before[1]
- Pixel Buds Pro 2 are made to stay put; use the twist-to-adjust stabilizer to lock your earbuds in during workouts, or adjust the other way for all-day comfort
- Active Noise Cancellation with Silent Seal 2.0 cancels up to twice as much noise as before[1]; Adaptive Audio lets you be aware of your surroundings while drowning out distractions in loud spaces for comfortable listening[10]
- Immerse yourself in clear, crisp audio; the 11 mm drivers and high-frequency chamber deliver powerful bass and smooth treble, and spatial audio with head tracking give you immersive surround sound[2]
- Go live with Gemini, your Google AI assistant; brainstorm ideas, make grocery lists, and schedule events, just by using your voice – with advanced audio processing, you can have clear conversations, even in noisy environments[2,11]
Try Volume EQ for quieter listening
Volume EQ enhances bass and treble at lower volume. Try it if music sounds thin when played quietly, and turn it off if you prefer the sound without that adjustment.
Use spatial audio only if it suits your setup
Spatial audio and head tracking are available features, but compatibility depends on the device. Google describes spatial audio with head tracking as compatible with Pixel 6 and most newer Pixel phones. Whether the effect sounds better is a matter of preference.
Rank #2
- Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are designed to be the most comfortable earbuds ever, with the most secure fit; and they’re built for Google AI, with the Tensor chip that powers premium, immersive sound
- Pixel Buds Pro 2 are small, light, and made to stay put; use the twist-to-adjust stabilizer to lock your earbuds in during workouts, or adjust the other way for all-day comfort
- The first Google Tensor chip in an earbud, the Tensor A1 chip powers twice the Active Noise Cancellation and delivers premium sound[1]
- Conversation Detection pauses your music and switches your earbuds to Transparency mode when you start talking, so you don’t have to take them out
- Pixel Buds Pro 2 have large 11mm drivers for powerful bass and a new high-frequency chamber for smooth treble
Choose noise control for the situation
| Setting | What it does | Useful when |
|---|---|---|
| Noise Cancellation (ANC) | Blocks outside noise. | You want to focus or reduce surrounding sound. |
| Transparency | Lets surrounding sound in. | You need to hear more of what is happening around you. |
| Adaptive Audio | On Pixel Buds Pro 2, reduces loud and unwanted sounds while allowing environmental sound through. | You want some noise reduction without fully shutting out your surroundings. |
| Off | Turns off the other noise-control modes. | You do not need ANC, Transparency, or Adaptive Audio. |
Switch modes in the Pixel Buds app or connected-device controls. You can also use press-and-hold, but check its current assignment first: that gesture is customizable. See Google’s noise-control instructions.
Decide whether Conversation Detection is helpful
When enabled, Conversation Detection switches from Noise Cancellation to Transparency when you speak and pauses media; playback resumes after the conversation. Leave it on if you want that automatic handoff. If the mode change or pause gets in the way, turn it off in settings.
Rank #3
- Google Pixel Buds 2a deliver lightweight comfort, crisp audio, Active Noise Cancellation, and a dependable battery, all for less[1]
- Hear only what you want to hear; Google Tensor A1 powers Active Noise Cancellation with Silent Seal 1.5 to help block external noise; or switch to Transparency mode to hear the world around you while you listen
- Immerse yourself in clear, crisp audio with the 11 mm dynamic speaker driver, or customize the levels of bass, treble, and more with the 5-band equalizer
- Pixel Buds 2a are built for lightweight comfort and an impeccable fit; secure them during workouts or commutes with the twist-to-adjust stabilizer, or twist the other direction for relaxed comfort
- Hear and be heard with Clear Calling; it helps block background noise, so wind, external chatter, or other distractions in your environment won’t interrupt your conversations[2]
Extend battery life by switching off noise control when it is unnecessary
Google advises turning off ANC, Adaptive Audio, and Transparency when you do not need them. Its published listening-time estimates are up to 8 hours per charge with ANC on or 12 hours with ANC off, and up to 30 hours with the case and ANC on or 48 hours with the case and ANC off. These are approximate manufacturer estimates based on pre-production hardware and software, not guaranteed runtimes; features in use, the connected device, environment, and other factors can reduce actual battery life. See Google’s battery and charging guidance and official specifications.
Google also estimates that a five-minute case charge provides up to one hour of listening with ANC on, or up to 90 minutes with ANC off. These figures are approximate as well.
Rank #4
- Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are designed to be the most comfortable earbuds yet, with a twist-to-adjust fit; they’re built for Gemini, with the Tensor chip that powers premium, immersive sound and cancels twice as much noise as before[1]
- Pixel Buds Pro 2 are made to stay put; use the twist-to-adjust stabilizer to lock your earbuds in during workouts, or adjust the other way for all-day comfort
- Active Noise Cancellation with Silent Seal 2.0 cancels up to twice as much noise as before[1]; Adaptive Audio lets you be aware of your surroundings while drowning out distractions in loud spaces for comfortable listening[10]
- Immerse yourself in clear, crisp audio; the 11 mm drivers and high-frequency chamber deliver powerful bass and smooth treble, and spatial audio with head tracking give you immersive surround sound[2]
- Go live with Gemini, your Google AI assistant; brainstorm ideas, make grocery lists, and schedule events, just by using your voice – with advanced audio processing, you can have clear conversations, even in noisy environments[2,11]
Wireless charging
The charging case supports Qi-certified wireless charging. Google says a Qi-certified charger is sold separately.
Set touch controls to match how you use the earbuds
The documented touch actions include tap for play or pause and answering calls; double-tap for the next track or to end or reject a call; and triple-tap for the previous track. Swipe forward or backward to adjust volume. Press-and-hold switches noise-control modes by default, but you can customize it for the assistant instead. Pixel Buds Pro 2 also support nodding to answer calls and shaking your head to reject them. If you trigger gestures accidentally, touch controls can be turned off. Check or change these options in connected-device settings; Google’s touch-control guide covers the controls.
Quick Recap
Other settings worth checking
- In-ear detection: Automatically pauses audio when you remove the earbuds and resumes when you put them back in. Turn it off in settings if you do not want that behavior.
- Hearing Wellness: Offers listening-habit context and volume notifications when listening exceeds recommended limits. Treat it as an awareness feature, not medical monitoring.
- Case sounds: The case can play alerts for placement, charging, low battery, pairing, and errors. Disable them if you find the sounds distracting.
- Audio switch and Multipoint: Audio switch is listed for Pixel Buds Pro 2. Google’s documentation is inconsistent about Multipoint: its settings matrix lists the feature for Pro 2, while its detailed setup article names Pixel Buds 2a and Pixel Buds Pro but not Pro 2. Check your connected-device settings to see whether Multipoint is available on your device.
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