Put your AirPods in your ears and connect them to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac first. Then open the connected AirPods’ settings to change listening modes, press-and-hold actions, or which AirPod supplies the microphone. The available controls and their names depend on your AirPods model and software version.
Open your AirPods settings
- iPhone or iPad: Open Settings and tap your AirPods’ name near the top of the screen. If you do not see it, check that the AirPods are connected.
- Mac: Open System Settings and select your AirPods in the sidebar. Scroll if necessary.
Some controls are nested. Depending on your model and software, microphone selection may be under Audio & Routing, while gesture options may be under Controls & Gestures. Apple’s guide covers settings for AirPods and AirPods Pro: Change settings for AirPods or AirPods Pro.
Change the listening mode or noise control
On supported AirPods, choose a listening mode in the AirPods settings or in Control Center on iPhone or iPad. Depending on the model, options can include Active Noise Cancellation (sometimes labeled Noise Cancellation), Transparency, Adaptive Audio, and Off. Not every model supports every option.
For supported stem models, press and hold the force sensor on the stem to cycle through listening modes. You can adjust which modes are included in that cycle in AirPods settings. On AirPods Max, use the listening-mode button instead; available modes vary by model. Apple’s current instructions for supported models and software versions are in Adjust listening mode settings on AirPods 4 (ANC), AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max.
#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.*
These modes do different things: Active Noise Cancellation uses outward-facing microphones to detect external sound and counters it with anti-noise, while an inward-facing microphone listens for unwanted sound inside the ear. Transparency lets outside sound in so you can hear what is happening around you. Adaptive Audio adjusts the listening experience in response to your surroundings on supported models. Apple explains the distinction in Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency modes for AirPods.
Change what pressing and holding does
With the AirPods connected, open their settings and look for Press and Hold, Controls & Gestures, or the corresponding model-specific control. Select Left or Right, then choose an action shown for that AirPod. On applicable models, the press-and-hold action can cycle listening modes.
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.*
Do not assume stem controls apply to every generation. AirPods 1 and AirPods 2 use a different double-tap control, and their options are not the same as the stem controls on supported newer models. If an option is missing, check your model and software compatibility before treating it as a fault.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choose which AirPod acts as the microphone
In AirPods settings, find Microphone. It may be inside Audio & Routing. Choose one of the available options:
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Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
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.*
- Automatically Switch AirPods: Either AirPod can act as the microphone. If you use only one AirPod, that one acts as the microphone.
- Always Left AirPod or Always Right AirPod: Fixes microphone selection to that side. Apple says the selected AirPod remains the microphone even if it is removed or placed in its case.
This setting selects which AirPod supplies the microphone; it is not a microphone-volume control.
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
Why a control may be missing
- AirPods are not connected: Connect them to the Apple device, then reopen Settings or System Settings.
- Your model does not support the feature: Listening modes and gestures vary by model. Apple’s newer listening-mode guide covers AirPods 4 (ANC), AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max, but the supported set still differs by feature.
- The setting is nested or labeled differently: Check Audio & Routing for Microphone and Controls & Gestures for gesture settings. Menu placement can vary with software.
- You have AirPods 1 or 2: Look for the generation’s double-tap controls rather than expecting stem press-and-hold options.
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