15 Best AirPods Pro Tips & Tricks to Upgrade Your Listening Experience

Apple AirPods Tips and Tricks (From: Pexels)
Apple AirPods Tips and Tricks (From: Pexels)

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Here’s a rundown of the best AirPod Pro tips and hacks to make the most out of your listening device.

AirPods Pro are known for their great build quality, all-around performance, and seamless use with Apple devices.

Yet, many of their over 100 million users remain unaware of the full range of features and capabilities these devices offer.

Keep reading as we discuss 15 different nifty hacks that will allow you to make the most out of your AirPods Pro.

1. Rename Your AirPods Pro

More Info (i) icon beside your AirPods name.
More Info (i) icon beside your AirPods name.

Upon pairing, your AirPods Pro automatically adopt your device’s registered name. This name appears when people scan for nearby Bluetooth devices.

To rename your AirPods, simply head over to Settings > Bluetooth and tap the More Info (i) icon beside your AirPods, where you’ll be able to access the naming feature.

2. Try the Ear Tip Fit Test

Steps on how to use ear tip fit test.
Steps on how to use ear tip fit test.

The Ear Tip Fit Test is an AirPods Pro feature that allows you to check if you’re using the correct ear tip size.

This ensures that your AirPods fit perfectly and thus won’t fall as you use them. Having the correct size of ear tips also ensures your AirPods feel comfortable even after prolonged wear.

Here’s how to try the Ear Tip Fit Test:

  1. Ensure your AirPods Pro are connected to your iPhone or iPad. Remove them from the case and wear them in both ears.
  2. Go to Settings > Bluetooth. Scroll down to the list of devices, then tap the More Info (i) button beside your AirPods’ name.
  3. Select Ear Tip Fit Test.
    If you can’t see the test, update your iOS or iPadOS to 13.2 or later.
  4. Tap Continue, then click the Play button and follow the on-screen instructions.
Check out the size of all AirPods models to help ensure you can get a good fit.

3. Enable Spatial Audio

Steps on how to enable spatial audio.
Steps on how to enable spatial audio.

Spatial Audio is a technology that mimics the effect of sound coming from multiple directions. This creates a sense of directionality to sound, allowing you to detect them from different directions in a 360-degree plane.

Follow these steps to enable Spatial Audio on your iPhone or iPad:

  1. Pair your AirPods Pro with your phone or iPad, then remove your AirPods Pro from their case and wear them.
  2. Swipe down to access the Control Center.
  3. Touch and hold the volume control.
  4. Tap Spatial Audio or Spatialize Stereo to turn on the feature.
    After doing this, you can also choose whether to turn on the AirPods’ head tracking feature or to keep it Fixed.

4. Customize Your AirPods Controls

Steps on how to customize AirPods controls.
Steps on how to customize AirPods controls.

Changing the action associated with the press-and-hold action for AirPods Pro can make your daily tasks more convenient.

For this, you can use the press-and-hold action to change Noise Control modes or to activate Siri.

Take a look at this article for a comprehensive list of all AirPods Pro Controls.

Follow these steps to customize your AirPods Pro controls:

  1. Wear your AirPods and ensure they are connected to your device.
  2. Head to Settings > Bluetooth. Scroll down to the list of devices and tap the More Info (i) button beside your AirPods’ name.
  3. Under Press and Hold AirPods, tap Left. Select either Noise Control or Siri.
  4. Go back and select the option you want for the Right AirPod.
    If you choose Noise Control, you will be prompted to choose two or three noise control modes to switch from when using a long press.

5. Adjust the Volume on AirPods Pro 2

The second-generation AirPods Pro can control the volume by swiping on the stem’s sensor.

To enable this feature, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Settings app on your device and tap on Bluetooth.
  2. Find your AirPods Pro in the list of devices and tap the “i” icon next to them.
  3. Select Accessibility from the options.
  4. Activate the Volume Swipe option.
For added convenience, especially to avoid accidental volume changes, there’s an option to adjust the swipe sensitivity. You can choose between ‘Longer’ and ‘Longest’ time settings for the swipe interval.

Once activated, controlling the volume is intuitive and seamless. While music plays, place your thumb on the stem of either AirPod. Then, gently swipe up with your index finger to increase the volume or swipe down to decrease it.

6. Share Your Audio With Other AirPods

Tap Share Audio.
Tap Share Audio.

The Audio Sharing feature allows two users to connect compatible AirPods or Beats headphones to one device. This lets you listen to the same audio with your friend without having to share your AirPods Pro.

Here’s how to utilize this feature:

  1. Connect your AirPods Pro to your iPhone and iPad, then wear them in both ears.
  2. On your device, tap the Audio Output icon on your lock screen, Control Center, or Now Playing widget.
  3. Tap Share Audio just below the name of your AirPods.
  4. Place your friend’s headphones or device close to your device. Ask them to tap Join on the pop-up that appears to start sharing your audio.

7. Switch Through Different Noise Cancellation Modes

AirPods Pro offers various listening modes to manage ambient noise, including Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and Adaptive. To switch modes, navigate to Settings > Bluetooth, select your AirPods (info icon), and choose from the following options:

  • Noise Cancellation: Activates noise cancellation, effectively blocking most background noises, ideal for loud environments to enhance audio clarity.
  • Transparency: This mode softens background sounds, allowing you to hear them without disrupting your audio. It’s useful in public spaces where you need to stay alert to announcements or your surroundings.
  • Adaptive: Available on iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 with 2nd Gen AirPods Pro, Adaptive Audio blends Transparency and Active Noise Cancellation. It adjusts audio volume based on your surroundings and interactions.
  • Off: Disables noise cancellation features, enabling full awareness of your environment, though it may affect audio quality.
To change modes, long-press the stem of either AirPod until you hear a chime indicating the mode has changed.

8. Mute & Unmute During Calls

The iOS 17 update introduced the ability to quickly mute and unmute yourself when using your AirPods during calls.

You can mute yourself during calls by pressing and holding the touch or force sensor on your AirPod Pro’s stem. Repeat the same action once you’re ready to unmute yourself.

9. Use Your AirPods as Hearing Assistant

The Live Listen feature, introduced in iOS 14, allows you to use the AirPods Pro as hearing aids. This works by turning your iPhone into a microphone that picks up and sends sounds to your AirPods Pro for improved hearing.

Follow these steps to turn on your Live Listen feature:

  1. Head on to Settings > Control Center.
  2. Scroll down and click the plus sign beside the Hearing function.
  3. Pull down your Control Center and click the button with the Hearing icon. This will turn the Live Listen feature on.

    Enabling Live Listen feature
    Enabling Live Listen feature
The AirPods Pro also have a Conversation Boost feature that enhances the volume of the person talking in front of you. You can enable this by going to your iPhone’s Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual > Headphone Accommodations. Once you’ve turned this on, scroll to Transparency Mode and slide the toggle next to Conversation Boost.

10. Know When & Where You Left Your AirPods Pro

Steps on how to know when & where You left your AirPods Pro.
Steps on how to know when & where You left your AirPods Pro.

AirPods Pro have a Notify When Left Behind feature, which alerts you when you fail to bring your AirPods with you when leaving a location.

Here’s how to enable this feature:

  1. Launch the Find My app and go to the Devices tab.
  2. Tap on your AirPods and scroll to Notifications > Notify When Left Behind. Slide the toggle to turn the feature on.
  3. You can also add locations where you don’t need to be notified about leaving your AirPods, such as your home. You can do this by going to Notify Me, Except At, and adding a New Location.
Notify When Left Behind is only available for iPhone 12 and newer, for AirPods 3, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max.

11. Tweak Your Headphone Accommodations to Improve Sound Quality

The Headphone Accommodations feature allows you to customize your AirPods’ sound profile by adjusting certain frequencies and amplifying soft sounds.

Follow these steps to set up Headphone Accommodations on your device:

  1. Navigate to Settings > Accessibility. Under Hearing, look for Audio/Visual.
  2. Then, slide the toggle beside Headphone Accommodations to enable it.

    Select Audio/Visual then toggle on Headphone Accommodations.
    Select Audio/Visual then toggle on Headphone Accommodations.
  3. Choose to apply your custom audio settings to your Phone (for calls) and/or for Media.
  4. Customize your audio settings by tapping on Custom Audio Setup to select the type of sound that works best for you.
    You can select Use Audiogram to customize your audio settings using your data from the Health App.

    Select Custom Audio Setup.
    Select Custom Audio Setup.

12. Make the Most Out of Siri

Using Siri takes hands-free operations to the next level, as all you need to do is to say “Hey Siri” followed by a command such as “play BTS on Spotify.”

You can also set Siri to announce whoever is calling or to read out the messages you receive. Additionally, you can tell Siri your reply and send it immediately, all without picking up your device. These features are especially handy when you’re busy and unable to take out your phone.

To turn on these settings, do the following:

  • Announce calls: Head over to Settings > Phone. Tap Announce Calls and choose which setting you prefer.
  • Read out notifications: Go to Settings > Notifications. Under Siri, select Announce Notifications and slide the toggle to enable this feature.
Check out our guide on Siri’s Announce Messages feature for more info.

13. Change Your AirPod Pro Tips to Memory Foam

Changing your AirPods Pro’s silicone tips to memory foam can improve their comfortability and overall fit. The memory foam tips can conform to your ears’ shape, thus forming a better seal and reducing the chances of the AirPods falling out when you’re active and sweaty.

To replace your silicone tips, you can invest in store-bought memory foam tips made for AirPods. Alternatively, you can DIY and insert memory foam underneath the original silicone tips.

Here’s how:

  1. Remove the AirPods Pro silicone tip by raising the flap and pulling it out of the speakers.

    Remove the AirPods Pro silicone tip.
    Remove the AirPods Pro silicone tip.
  2. Stick the paper clip inside the foam tips until the tip is halfway through the clip, as seen in the picture below.

    Paper clip inside the foam tips.
    Paper clip inside the foam tips.
  3. Thread the silicone tips inside the hole left by the paper clip until the tip is halfway through.

    Hooking silicone tip with paper clip.
    Hooking silicone tip with paper clip.
  4. Pull up the paper clip while widening the top opening of the foam tips until the silicone tip’s flap makes it through.

    Pulling AirPods silicone tip through memory foam
    Pulling AirPods silicone tip through memory foam
  5. Put the AirPods Pro silicone flap over the foam tips and put the tips back onto the earbuds.

    Silicone flap over the memory foam.
    Silicone flap over the memory foam.

14. Use Your AirPods for Your In-Flight Entertainment

Using your AirPods Pro to watch movies or listen to music using the plane’s in-flight entertainment system allows you to avoid using the poor-quality headphones airlines usually provide.

However, in-flight entertainment systems don’t typically have Bluetooth audio support. Therefore, you’ll need an adapter to connect your AirPods to your in-flight entertainment, such as the Twelve South AirFly Pro.

Close look at the Twelve South AirFly Pro. (From: Amazon)
Close look at the Twelve South AirFly Pro. (From: Amazon)

Here’s how to set up and use the AirFly:

  1. Turn the AirFly on.
  2. Press and hold the main button to enter pairing mode. Then, long-press your AirPods’ setup button for it to enter pairing mode.
    Turn off Bluetooth for your Apple device to prevent your AirPods from automatically connecting to them.
  3. Once the AirFly and AirPods are paired, plug the AirFly into the audio jack of your in-flight entertainment system.
  4. Wear your AirPods, and you’re ready to go!

15. Prolong Your AirPods’ Lifespan by Regular Cleaning

Cleaning your AirPods and case helps prevent dirt build-up that can muffle sound, cause charging and connection problems, or lead to ear infections.

To clean your AirPods Pro, you’ll need:

  • Cotton swab
  • Dry lint-free cloth
  • Soft toothbrush
  • Isopropyl alcohol (preferably 70%)

Gently wipe AirPods Pro with a soft, lint-free cloth, slightly dampened with water, avoiding moisture in openings. Detach the ear tips, then use a dry cotton swab for the speaker meshes. Grab your detached tips, rinse them, let them dry completely, and reattach them for a thorough clean.

Check out these in-depth articles for a complete guide on cleaning your AirPods Pro.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I use Spy mode on AirPods?

If you want to spy and eavesdrop on other people’s conversations, you’ll need the Live Listen feature.

This allows you to use your phone as a mic, which feeds the input to your AirPods. With this, you can leave your phone elsewhere and listen to others without them knowing.

Is there a hack to make AirPods Pro louder?

If you’re already at max volume and still want to make your AirPods Pro louder, you can clean your AirPods to remove debris that may be muffling the sound. If this doesn’t work, you can try resetting your AirPods, updating their firmware, or using third-party volume-boosting apps like Boom3D.

If these hacks don’t work, try this comprehensive list of tips to make your AirPods louder.

Are the AirPods Pro waterproof?

Unfortunately, your AirPods are not waterproof. This means you can’t use them while swimming or showering, and you can’t submerge them in water.

Nonetheless, the AirPods Pro have an IPX4 rating. This means they are sweat- and water-resistant and can withstand light rain and splashes of water.

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