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AirPods settings vary by model, and some features may already be on. First check which AirPods you have in Settings > Bluetooth on your iPhone or iPad, then tap the info button beside the connected pair. The features below are not available on every model; check the compatibility notes before looking for a setting that may not appear.
Check which features your AirPods support
Apple’s current support guides list these compatible models. “AirPods 4” without “ANC” supports Personalized Volume, but the Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness lists specifically name the ANC version.
| Feature | Compatible models listed by Apple | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Adaptive Audio | AirPods 4 (ANC), AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Max 2 | Automatically blends noise cancellation and Transparency as conditions change. |
| Personalized Volume | AirPods 4, AirPods 4 (ANC), AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Max 2 | Adjusts media volume based on environmental conditions and learned volume preferences. |
| Conversation Awareness | AirPods 4 (ANC), AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Max 2 | Lowers media volume and enhances voices in front when you speak. |
| Announce Notifications | Apple’s cited Siri guide does not give a complete compatible-model list for this feature. | Uses Siri to announce supported notifications through AirPods. |
| Live Listen | Check Apple’s current instructions for your AirPods and iPhone or iPad. | Uses an iPhone or iPad as a microphone and sends its audio to AirPods. |
Compatibility can change with software updates. See Apple’s Adaptive Audio guide and listening mode settings guide for current model details.
How do I turn on Adaptive Audio on AirPods?
Adaptive Audio combines Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency, adjusting how much environmental sound comes through. It is available on AirPods 4 (ANC), AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods Max 2.
#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.*
- Wear and connect your AirPods to your iPhone or iPad.
- Open Control Center.
- Touch and hold the volume control.
- Tap Listening Mode, then choose Adaptive.
To tune the balance, open the AirPods settings for your connected pair and select Adaptive. Adjust the slider to let in more or less ambient noise. Apple’s Use Adaptive Audio with your AirPods guide describes the mode and its controls.
How do I turn on Personalized Volume?
Personalized Volume changes media volume in response to the environment and the volume preferences your AirPods learn over time. Apple describes it as adjusting volume “based on environmental conditions and your volume preferences” in its Adaptive Audio guide. Compatible models are AirPods 4, AirPods 4 (ANC), AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods Max 2.
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.*
- On iPhone or iPad, open Settings > Bluetooth.
- Tap the info button beside your connected AirPods.
- Turn on Personalized Volume. If it is not shown there, check Audio & Routing in the AirPods settings.
On Mac, open System Settings and select your connected AirPods. Apple’s listening mode settings guide includes related AirPods controls.
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How do I turn on Conversation Awareness?
When you start speaking, Conversation Awareness lowers media volume and enhances the voices in front of you. Spoken audio may pause after a few seconds. When the conversation ends, playback returns to its previous volume. Apple lists AirPods 4 (ANC), AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods Max 2 as compatible.
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.*
- Connect and wear your AirPods.
- Open Control Center and touch and hold the volume control.
- Select Conversation Awareness.
You can also turn it on in the settings for your connected AirPods. If nearby speech should not trigger the feature, press and hold the AirPods stem to end it manually. See Apple’s Adaptive Audio guide for the supported models and feature behavior.
How do I make AirPods read my notifications?
Set up Announce Notifications on your iPhone or iPad, then choose which apps Siri can announce and how often announcements occur.
Rank #4
- JBL Deep Bass Sound: Get the most from your mixes with high-quality audio from secure, reliable earbuds with 8mm drivers featuring JBL Deep Bass Sound
- Comfortable fit: The ergonomic, stick-closed design of the JBL Vibe Beam fits so comfortably you may forget you're wearing them. The closed design excludes external sounds, enhancing the bass performance
- Up to 32 (8h + 24h) hours of battery life and speed charging: With 8 hours of battery life in the earbuds and 24 in the case, the JBL Vibe Beam provide all-day audio. When you need more power, you can speed charge an extra two hours in just 10 minutes.
- Hands-free calls with VoiceAware: When you're making hands-free stereo calls on the go, VoiceAware lets you balance how much of your own voice you hear while talking with others
- Water and dust resistant: From the beach to the bike trail, the IP54-certified earbuds and IPX2 charging case are water and dust resistant for all-day experiences
- Open Settings > Notifications > Announce Notifications.
- Turn on Announce Notifications.
- Choose the apps and announcement frequency that suit you.
Apple says time-sensitive notifications may be announced automatically when AirPods are worn and paired with an iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch. Head gestures are supported on AirPods 4, AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods Max 2 when both Announce Calls and Announce Notifications are enabled. See Apple’s Use Siri with AirPods guide.
How do I use Live Listen with AirPods?
Live Listen is an accessibility feature that uses your iPhone or iPad as a microphone and sends the sound to your AirPods. Apple describes it as useful for listening to a lecture or conversation from farther away. The exact setup and compatible devices should be checked in Apple’s current instructions, as the cited overview does not provide a full device-by-device setup procedure.
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
For a starting point, open Apple’s accessibility features overview for AirPods and follow its current Live Listen instructions for your device. Use the feature with others’ awareness and consent; it is not a substitute for hearing care.
Quick Recap
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