Like most Apple products, thesecond generation AirPods Prothey work pretty seamlessly out of the box. But once you dive below their surface-level functionality, there's much more to explore. Here we walk you through some tips and suggestions that can help you get the most out of your headphones. Some are quick fixes, but others require a bit of experimentation and hunting through menus.
1. Switch to adaptive transparency mode
Apple's adaptive transparency feature is useful for eliminating loud noises you might encounter while walking around the city streets or working out at the gym. Reduces the volume of any sounds above 85dB (such as hammers, sirens or particularly loud speakers) without dramatically altering their timbre or envelope. In practice, this feature allows you to feel the urgency of important noises, such as sirens, without dealing with the full effect of their volume.
Continuing with Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
But this feature also unlocks the ability for AirPods Pro to act as protective, active earmuffs at loud events like concerts. We tested the function's effectiveness by blasting music from the nearby speakers at very high volumes, and it successfully cut through the transients and steady portions without crushing dynamics. It's almost shocking how much better this mode conveys loud, close-up music than the regular Transparency mode.
We wish Apple would show the sounds this feature reduces in real time via an app, or even let you change the volume limit, but as it stands, the Adaptive Transparency feature deserves a lot of praise.
2. Readjust your headphones to improve noise cancellation
AirPods Pro can seal your ear canal and ensure a secure, comfortable fit at many different angles. And because the stem position doesn't affect the ear seal, the overall sound performance won't change much no matter how you wear them.
But ear placement significantly affects the noise cancellation profile. The reason is simple: Two microphones on each of the bulb-like earcups (one outside the channel and one inside) work together to cancel out ambient noise, and any adjustments drastically change what they detect.
(Courtesy: Tim Gideon)
Because AirPods use an adaptive approach to active noise cancellation—and quite aggressive compared to competitors like theBose QuietComfort Earbuds II— quickly adapt to significant new sounds in the environment. So, for example, if someone starts running a vacuum cleaner nearby, the AirPods react to cancel that noise.
Just as loud sounds trigger the AirPods to recalculate, so can small positional changes. This trick came in handy a few times in testing. Occasionally, the noise cancellation profile just didn't impress me. But a small adjustment prompted the AirPods to measure my environment again and call a new, much more efficient one.
Apple probably won't officially promote this tip, but it works pretty well. The only caveat is for situations where the noise cancellation profile is already effective. Don't get greedy - putting them back in your ear can lead to no improvement or even a change for the worse. Of course, if the latter happens, just keep playing with them until they become effective again.
3. Turn off settings you don't need to extend battery life
Apple doesn't go out of its way to explain which features drain the AirPods Pro's battery life the most, but it does offer some clues on its website. In the footnotes of the specifications section, for example, you learn that all the battery life statistics Apple provides assume a listening volume of 50%. That's a respectable amount of loudness, but most people are likely to get over it because decibel levels vary widely between media. For example, some classical recordings with quiet passages may be difficult to enjoy in this setting.
In addition to turning down the volume, you can also try these other changes to extend battery life:
In the AirPods settings menu, turn off Noise Cancellation. And yes, that includes the transparency and adaptive transparency modes—both of which eat up almost as much battery life as the main noise cancellation setting. All of these features are useful, but you probably don't need to use them all the time, especially if you're trying to preserve battery life. And if you can't spare the time to dive into the settings menu, just tap the volume icon from Control Center to toggle these features.
Turn off his head trackerSpatial soundfeature. Note that some apps use the head tracking feature by default if it's enabled, so we recommend turning it off completely and then just enabling it when you want to use it. You can also change the head tracking mode from the Control Center.
With these two changes, you can extend the battery life from about five and a half hours per charge to seven hours. And if things get desperate, lower the volume as much as you can tolerate.
4. Make your AirPods harder to lose
Don't worry if you've never set up a device with the Find My app. it is simple. To get started, turn on the Find My Network setting in the AirPods menu, then tap the Show In Find My option. In the Find My app that launches, make sure your AirPods appear in the list of devices and their location status is "With You." Then, to test the feature, place the individual earbuds and case in various safe spots around your home.
(Courtesy: Tim Gideon)
Finally, tap the case icon in the Find My app and select the Play Sound option. You should hear a rhythmic high-pitched chirp until you press Stop. Both headphones can also emit rhythmic chirps to help you find them.
Just to get creative, I placed an earpiece inside my mini fridge and closed the door and the repeating tone could still be heard from the next room. It can be faint depending on how far away you are, but if you specifically hear those squeals, they're hard to miss.
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If you're having trouble getting your AirPods to show up in the Find My app, unpair them from your AirPods settings via Forget This Device, pair them again, then try again.
5. Optimize your accessibility settings
The Accessibility tab in the AirPods menu lets you change how the in-ear controls work and how quickly they respond to gestures, which can be useful if you have trouble gripping their slippery surface. The Type Speed parameter, for example, lets you choose Slower and Slower. both give you more time to complete double or triple hits on the stems. Similarly, you can shorten the time required for a press and hold gesture - choose between the Short and Shorter options to increase detection speed.
Further down the menu, you can increase the delay between sliders and volume settings so you don't accidentally change the level again. The two settings beyond the default are Long and Longest. This same menu allows you to adjust the Volume, as well as change the Track iPhone settings for Spatial (which treats your iPhone as a directional audio source). You also have the option to enable Noise Cancellation with just one AirPod in your ear—Transparency mode is the default for this scenario to ensure a balanced listening experience.
(Credit: PCMag)
The broad Audio Accessibility Settings section houses even more options, including the ability to change the audio balance between ears, enable mono mode, and play soothing background sounds (Balanced Noise, Bright Noise, Dark Noise, Ocean, Rain, and Flow).
Enable Headphone Accommodations to choose between Balanced Tone, Vocal Range and Brightness settings. You can also control how much the headphones boost soft sounds—soft (the default), medium, or loud. The menu plays a sample each time you adjust these settings and lets you choose to apply changes to phone audio, media audio, or both.
Finally, a transparency mode section lets you configure the Gain Level, Lightness/Darkness, Stereo Balance, and Ambient Noise Reduction settings. More specifically, you can also enable Conversation Boost, which emphasizes the human vocal range. Many competitive headphones put these types of features front and center. they are deep in the Accessibility menu here. You need to navigate to Settings > AirPods Settings > Accessibility > Audio Accessibility Settings > Headphone Accommodation > Soft Sounds and make sure the AirPods are in your ears and Auto Ear Detection is turned on. Only after that you can adjust the transparency mode.
More Apple tips
Now that you've mastered using your AirPods, check out our top recommendations for your other Apple devices, including25 Tips Every Apple Watch Owner Should Knowandhidden iPhone tips and tricks to make you an iOS pro.
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FAQs
AirPods Pro 2 tips: 5 ways to get more out of Apple's flagship headphones? ›
You can buy a new set of ear tips from the Apple Online Store for your AirPods Pro (1st generation) or your AirPods Pro (2nd generation). Alternatively, you can buy another set of ear tips from an Apple Store or other authorized retailer.
How do I get more ear tips for AirPods Pro? ›You can buy a new set of ear tips from the Apple Online Store for your AirPods Pro (1st generation) or your AirPods Pro (2nd generation). Alternatively, you can buy another set of ear tips from an Apple Store or other authorized retailer.
How do I increase AirPods output? ›- Wear your AirPods, and make sure they're connected to your device.
- On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Accessibility > AirPods.
- Select your AirPods, then adjust Tone Volume.
From the Home tab, tap the Settings icon. Select Playback > Equalizer. Test out the presets to see what sounds best to you, most people recommend Bass Booster for AirPods Pro users. Alternatively, you can adjust the EQ manually by dragging the sliders at the top of the screen.
What cool things can AirPods Pro do? ›Personalized listening
And Adaptive EQ accounts for the fit of AirPods Pro, so you hear every frequency just as it was intended. To play sound that better suits your unique ear shape, Personalized Spatial Audio works with the TrueDepth camera on your iPhone to create a custom profile based on your head's geometry.
The downside is that memory foam degrades faster than silicone and is a lot harder to clean. Memory foam ear tips for AirPods Pro users. These memory foam ear tips and ear hooks make for a more comfortable fit and more stability when you wear your AirPods Pro, along with better passive isolation.
How long do AirPod Pro tips last? ›WHAT IS THE LIFESPAN OF COMPLY™ TIPS FOR APPLE AIRPODS PRO? According to Comply™, the lifespan for these tips depends on use. Average use is about 3 months per pair of tips. How you use the tips, body chemistry (earwax, oils, etc.), and environment all affect how long your tips will last.
Why is my AirPod not loud in one ear? ›You can fix this by adjusting your sound balance in just a few simple steps. Here's how: On your iOS device, go to Settings menu, then tap on Accessibility > Audio/Visual. Adjust the slider to redistribute the sound balance between the left and right AirPod.
Why are my AirPods so quiet in one ear? ›If there's low volume in one AirPod
Check the microphone and speaker mesh on each AirPod. If you see any debris, clean your AirPods using the guidelines in this article, and see if that fixes the issue. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual > Balance, and make sure that the balance is set in the middle.
When your device is in low-power mode due to very low battery, it can disable certain features, such as Bluetooth connectivity. As a result, your AirPods become quiet, and you may need to disable low-power mode to hear them again.
Why do my Airpod pros have no bass? ›
Go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual, then adjust the Balance slider. Set the audio volume balance to the center.
How can you tell if Airpod pros are fake? ›Validating the serial number is one of the simplest and most reliable ways to determine whether your AirPods Pro are genuine or fake. The serial number can be found written on the underside of the case lid or displayed in your Bluetooth settings (tap on the info button beside your AirPods Pro).
Are Airpod pros waterproof? ›Your AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd generation), AirPods (3rd generation), MagSafe Charging Case for AirPods (3rd generation), Lightning Charging Case for AirPods (3rd generation), and MagSafe Charging Case for AirPods Pro (2nd generation) are water and sweat resistant, but they are not waterproof or sweatproof.
What special things can AirPods do? ›- Play and pause audio: Press the stem. ...
- Play the next track: Double-press the stem.
- Play the previous track: Triple-press the stem.
- Answer a call: When you receive a call, press the stem.
- Activate Siri: Press and hold the stem, then ask questions, control apps, and more.
To play and pause audio, press the Touch control on the stem of an AirPod. To resume playback, press again. To skip forward, double-press the Touch control. To skip back, triple-press the Touch control.
What special features do AirPods have? ›- Quick Look. ANC. ...
- Transparency. Adaptive Transparency. ...
- Touch control. Double-tap. ...
- Spatial Audio. Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking 1 ...
- Sweat and Water resistance. Sweat and water resistant: AirPods and charging case 2 ...
- Chip. H1 chip. ...
- Siri. Hey Siri. ...
- Charging. More than 24 hours of listening time with charging case 3
Yes, you can use the AirPods Pro without their eartips. You'll still hear your music, podcasts, or phone calls, and you'll still be able to talk to Siri. And if you really dislike the feeling of having silicone plugs pushed up against your ear canals, they might feel more comfortable if you wear them this way.
Are foam or rubber eartips better? ›While foam tips can provide more comfort, they are also more expensive and wear out easily, so you'll have to keep buying them to get that premium comfort. On the other hand, silicone ear tips are cheaper, more durable, and easier to clean but tend to slip out, adding inconvenience. Our recommendation? Buy both.
Are AirPod Pro tips uncomfortable? ›Wearing the wrong size AirPods tips for your ears may contribute to ear pain. If your AirPods don't sit comfortably in your ears, you might want to switch out your tips to the next size down. Apple's AirPods Pro model comes standard with small, medium, and large-sized ear tips.
What is the lifespan of AirPods pro2? ›AirPods typically last about 2-3 years before most users feel the need to replace them. This short lifespan is because of their lithium-ion batteries.
How much does it cost to replace Airpod Pro tips? ›
Obtaining new AirPods Pro tips
The silicone tips are reasonably priced, and Apple charges $4 per replacement pair.
Compared to the AirPods (Gen 1, 2, and 3), AirPods Pro can get dirty faster because of their in-ear design – which also means there are more parts to clean, such as the silicone ear tips.
How do you clean the inside of an AirPod ear wax? ›Clean your EarPods
Make sure not to get any liquid in the openings. Clean the microphone and speaker meshes gently with a dry cotton swab. Remove any debris from the meshes with a clean, dry, soft-bristled brush. Don't use sharp objects or abrasive materials to clean your EarPods.
Go to Settings > Bluetooth, then tap the Info button next to the name of your AirPods. Scroll down to the About section to find the firmware version. To use your Mac to check that your AirPods are up to date, make sure that you have the latest version of macOS.
How do I find my lost AirPod? ›Open the Find My app on an iPhone or iPad that you previously paired with your AirPods. Tap Devices, tap the name of your AirPods, then tap Find. Start moving around to locate your AirPods and follow the onscreen instructions.
Can you clean Apple AirPods? ›Apple has a few suggestions for cleaning your AirPods. One recommended method is using a disinfecting or alcohol wipe to clean the exterior surfaces -- but do not use it on the speaker mesh. If you use any liquids to clean your earbuds, dry them completely before use.
Why is my AirPod case flashing orange? ›Blinking orange or amber
The status light flashes amber on your AirPods, indicating that the AirPods are experiencing a pairing error. This could be caused by several issues, like an incorrect pairing between your AirPods and the Device you're attempting to use them with, outdated firmware, or low battery levels.
With multiple charges in your case, you get up to 30 hours of listening time,1 or up to 24 hours of talk time. Your AirPods Pro (2nd generation) can get up to 6 hours of listening time (up to 5.5 hours with Spatial Audio and Head Tracking enabled)3 or up to 4.5 hours of talk time on a single charge.
Why is my noise Cancelling weak AirPods pro? ›Clean the mesh located on the top of your AirPods Pro. Sometimes Active Noise Cancellation can be affected if debris or earwax builds up in the area shown below. If this happens, you might experience: A loss of bass sound.
Why are AirPods so expensive? ›The main reason that AirPods cost so much is that they're a high-quality, well-made product. Apple is known for its designs, build quality, and high retail price, and the AirPods are no different.
Can you replace the rubber tips on AirPod pros? ›
You can change the ear tips on your AirPod Pro earbuds to clean or replace them. Every set of AirPods Pro comes with three sets of ear tips, each a different size. Taking the Ear Tip Fit Test on your iPhone can help determine which ear tip size is best for you.
Can you buy just the earpiece for AirPods? ›You can buy a replacement for a left or right AirPod or the Charging Case.
Do AirPod pros need the ear tips? ›Yes, you can use the AirPods Pro without their eartips. You'll still hear your music, podcasts, or phone calls, and you'll still be able to talk to Siri. And if you really dislike the feeling of having silicone plugs pushed up against your ear canals, they might feel more comfortable if you wear them this way.
How much does it cost to replace AirPod Pro tips? ›Obtaining new AirPods Pro tips
The silicone tips are reasonably priced, and Apple charges $4 per replacement pair.
Many people probably just stick the AirPods into their ears with the stem pointing down. However, that keeps them loose, virtually guaranteeing that they'll slip out. After placing the AirPods in your ears, twist them up around 30 degrees so the stem is more horizontal and is sticking out away from your ears.
Does Apple sell AirPods Eartips? ›Two sets of ear tips for AirPods Pro (1st generation). Choose your size — small, medium or large. Made by Apple.
Does Apple make extra small ear tips? ›Two sets of ear tips for AirPods Pro (2nd generation). Choose your size — extra-small, small, medium, or large. Made by Apple.
Which AirPods stay in ears? ›The standard AirPods fit some people's ears perfectly (some people have no trouble running with them), but plenty of people can't get a secure fit. If you're in the latter group, I highly recommend you spend the extra money on the AirPods Pro. The AirPods Pro design simply fits more ears than the original AirPods.