The most useful iOS 26 AirPods features to try are hands-free camera controls, AirPods as a camera microphone, higher-quality recording, clearer calls, and—if your devices and region qualify—Live Translation. Camera and recording features cover several newer AirPods models, but Live Translation has stricter iPhone, software, firmware, language, and availability requirements. Check the compatibility details below before trying a feature.
Which AirPods features are worth trying?
- Camera remote: Use a configured AirPods gesture to take a photo or start and stop a video in a supported camera app.
- Camera microphone: Select AirPods as the input for video recording and choose an available microphone mode. Apple says this option is unavailable in the EU.
- Recording and call improvements: Apple describes a high-quality Bluetooth recording mode for creators and clearer voice quality in supported calling apps. These are not published as measured comparisons against dedicated microphones.
- Live Translation: Hear nearby speech translated into a preferred language, subject to stricter hardware, software, language-download, and regional requirements.
Apple announced the camera remote, recording, and call features in June 2025 for AirPods 4, AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, and AirPods Pro 2 as features arriving with iOS 26-related software updates. Apple’s current camera support guide lists a broader set of models for camera remote and microphone use; see the compatibility table below.
Check compatibility before you start
| Feature | AirPods supported by Apple’s current guide | Other requirements or limits |
|---|---|---|
| Camera remote | AirPods 4, AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Max 2 | Paired iPhone or iPad running iOS 26 or later; use a supported camera app. AirPods Max 2 uses the Digital Crown. |
| Camera microphone | AirPods 4, AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Max 2 | Supported camera app and iOS 26 or later. The camera-microphone option is unavailable in the EU. |
| Live Translation | AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Max 2 | Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or iPhone 16 models or later; current iOS and AirPods firmware; downloaded language models. Language, region, and usage limits apply. |
Apple’s current camera guide can include models beyond those named in its original 2025 announcement. For setup details, see Apple’s camera remote and microphone guide. For Live Translation requirements, see Apple’s Live Translation guide.
Use AirPods as a camera remote
- Connect and wear your AirPods, then open Settings and tap your AirPods name.
- Open Camera Remote. Depending on your model and settings, you may need to open Controls & Gestures first.
- Choose Press Once or Press and Hold for the camera action.
- Open the iPhone Camera app or another supported camera app. Use the configured AirPods stem action to take a photo or start recording; use the action again to stop video.
On AirPods Max 2, Apple’s camera guide specifies the Digital Crown instead of a stem. In a supported camera app, the selected gesture temporarily replaces other controls: Press Once displaces media-control gestures, while Press and Hold displaces listening-mode and Siri gestures. The Camera app timer and feedback tone vary by region; a tone is not heard when the ringer is off or Live Photos is on.
Recommended Free Tools
#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.*
Select AirPods as the camera microphone
- Open Camera Controls in Control Center while the camera is in Video mode.
- Tap Input, then choose your AirPods.
- Select an available microphone mode: Automatic, Standard, Voice Isolation, or Wide Spectrum.
Apple also documents selecting an AirPods microphone through Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Input. Microphone modes and access can depend on the app and region; the camera-microphone option is not available in the EU. Apple’s camera support guide has the current instructions and model list.
What the recording and call features do
Apple positions its high-quality recording mode for creators such as interviewers, podcasters, and singers. It attributes the result to the H2 chip, beamforming microphones, and computational audio, and says the mode is available across supported workflows including Camera, Voice Memos, Messages dictation, video-conferencing apps such as Webex, and compatible third-party camera apps. Apple also says calls in Phone, FaceTime, and CallKit-enabled apps gain clearer voice quality.
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.*
In its WWDC25 developer session, Apple described the recording option as high-quality, high-sample-rate Bluetooth audio with media tuning intended to balance voice and background sound. The presenter compared its intended use to a lavalier microphone, but Apple’s materials do not provide a measured comparison, audio-quality score, or evidence that AirPods outperform a dedicated microphone. Treat it as a convenient built-in option, not a proven replacement for recording equipment.
For Apple’s original announcement, see the June 9, 2025 announcement. Apple Developer explains the recording mode and APIs in its WWDC25 session.
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 up and use Live Translation
Live Translation is the most compatibility-dependent feature in this group. It requires one of the supported AirPods models in the table, a supported Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone, current iOS and AirPods firmware, and downloaded language models. Apple says translation processing happens on the iPhone once the languages have been downloaded.
- Confirm that your iPhone and AirPods meet Apple’s requirements and have current software and firmware.
- Download the language being spoken and the language you want to hear.
- Start Live Translation. Translated dialogue can play through your AirPods and appear on the iPhone.
- To reply, show a transcript or play the reply through the iPhone speaker. If both people have supported AirPods and start Live Translation, each can hear translation in their chosen language.
Apple’s September 2025 iOS 26 feature guide lists English (US and UK), French (France), German, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish (Spain) for AirPods Live Translation. That is a dated list, not a guarantee of current availability in every region. Check Apple’s current Live Translation support page for language and regional availability before relying on a particular language.
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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