Since Apple acquired Dr. Dre’s Beats headphones line for a whopping $3 billion in 2019, the tech company has significantly advanced its audio hardware. The Apple AirPods are one of my favorite pieces of tech to date. The quality of sound is superb, the battery life is impressive, the mag charging case is convenient, and the fit of the earphones is so comfy.
Unfortunately, I had yet to learn I was missing out on several features that can further enhance the experience when using these incredible sound machines. Here’s how to get the most from your Apple AirPods.
1. Unleash Siri
Your AirPods hold the key to a powerful ally: Siri. Want to send a text or check the weather without lifting a finger? Utter the magical incantation, “Hey Siri,” followed by your request, and watch as your wish comes true – sometimes.
To use Siri with your AirPods, ensure that Siri is enabled on your iPhone.
- Go to Settings
- Then select Siri & Search
- Turn on “Listen for ‘Hey Siri'”
- Once activated, say “Hey Siri,” followed by your command while wearing your AirPods.
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2. Become the master of AirPods customization
Gone are the days of fumbling with your phone. Harness the power of customization and tailor your AirPods’ controls to your liking. Each one can have its own special ability or feature. It’s like giving them superpowers, making them unique and special in their own way.
To customize your AirPods’ controls:
- Connect your AirPods to your iPhone by going to your Settings app
- Select Bluetooth
- Tap the “i” icon next to your AirPods in the list of devices
- Select the “Press-and-Hold” option for the left and right ear bud customs.
- From here you can customize the controls for each earbud and assign different functions for each one
3. Unlock the secret of audio sharing
The ability to share your audio with friends is no longer impossible. With Audio Sharing, connect two sets of AirPods to a single device, and embark on a shared listening journey without needing an archaic splitter.
To use Audio Sharing: Ensure both sets of AirPods are connected to the same device.
- Place the second pair of AirPods close to the device, and you’ll see a prompt to connect them.
- Once connected, audio will be shared between both sets of AirPods.
- Simply connect them under the Bluetooth Settings on your device.
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4. Easy-peasy switching between devices
Got multiple Apple devices? No problem. Your AirPods can effortlessly switch between your iPhone, iPad, and Mac, ensuring a smooth transition as you move from one device to another. Just select your AirPods in the audio output options, and you’re good to go.
To switch between devices with your AirPods: Make sure your AirPods are connected across all devices via Bluetooth Settings.
Once you’ve got your AirPods connected to one of your devices, switching to another one is a breeze.
How to swap your AirPods from your iPhone to your Mac
- On your Mac, click the Control Center icon in the menu bar.
- Tap the audio output icon
- Choose your AirPods from the list
How to swap your AirPods from your Mac to your iPhone or iPad
- Open the Control Center. For devices without a Home button, swipe down from the top-right corner; if your device has a Home button, swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
- Now, tap the audio output icon in the top-right corner of the music controls. You’ll see a list of available audio devices; select your AirPods, and voilà! The audio output will switch to them.
5. Find My: The AirPods lifesaver
The dreaded misplacement of AirPods is a modern-day tragedy. But don’t worry. The Find My app is here to help. You can use the app to play a sound on your missing AirPods or find its last known location. No more searching high and low.
To use Find My for locating lost AirPods:
- Open the Find My app on your iPhone and tap the “Devices” tab then select your AirPods from the list
You’ll see the last known location on a map. If they’re nearby, you can play a sound to help you find them
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6. Ear tip fit test: The quest for perfect sound
Want the best sound quality from your AirPods Pro? The Ear Tip, Fit Test feature is designed just for that. It analyzes the sound in your ears and suggests the perfect ear tip size for the ultimate audio quality and comfort.
- To perform the Ear Tip Fit Test on AirPods Pro, connect your AirPods Pro to your iPhone and go to your Bluetooth Settings
- Tap the “i” icon next to your AirPods Pro in the list of devices
- Select “Ear Tip Fit Test” and follow the on-screen instructions. The test will help you determine the best ear tip size for optimal audio quality and comfort
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7. Embrace the quiet with transparency mode
Need to stay aware of your surroundings while jamming out to your favorite tunes? Transparency Mode on your AirPods Pro lets you do just that.
To enable Transparency Mode on AirPods Pro:
- Put your AirPods Pro in your ears.
- Press and hold the force sensor on the stem of either AirPod until you hear a chime. This toggles between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode.
- You can also enable Transparency Mode by tapping the “i” icon next to your AirPods Pro in the list of devices under your Bluetooth settings.
- Then swipe to turn on or off Transparency Mode under the Noise Control Setting
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8. Optimize battery charging
Preserve your AirPods’ battery life by enabling “Optimized Battery Charging.”
- Tap the “i” icon next to your AirPods in the list of devices again
- Toggle on “Optimized Battery Charging“
This feature learns your charging routine and slows down battery aging by reducing the time your AirPods spend fully charged.
Final Thoughts
These hidden AirPods features can truly transform the way we interact with our devices and elevate how we experience our audio content.
Now that you’ve unlocked the full potential of your AirPods, which feature do you find most useful or exciting? Let us know by commenting below.
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