Get ready for a complete overhaul of your Apple audio experience.
Apple’s upcoming iOS 18 is set to bring a suite of impressive audio-centric updates, especially for AirPods. From gaming to accessibility, these updates promise to transform how we interact with sound on our Apple devices.
Here are the nine most exciting audio-related features and upgrades coming with iOS 18.
1. Voice Isolation on AirPods Pro
Making calls in noisy environments is about to become much easier. Voice Isolation, which iPhone, Mac, and iPad users may already use, is finally coming to AirPods Pro (2nd generation).
This smart feature uses advanced audio technology to separate your voice from background noise. During calls, the AirPods Pro microphones will focus on your voice and quiet other sounds like wind or people talking.
The result? Crystal-clear audio quality for calls, regardless of your surroundings.
So, whether you’re in a bustling café or braving the elements outdoors, your voice will come through loud and clear.
2. Personalized Spatial Audio for Gaming
Gamers using AirPods (3rd generation), AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max will experience a new level of immersion in iOS 18. This is all thanks to the new Personalized Spatial Audio for gaming, which extends the immersive 3D audio capabilities we’ve come to love in music and movies to the gaming realm.
To do so, it uses dynamic head tracking to create a more realistic soundscape, placing you at the middle of the game’s audio environment.
3. Game Mode
Speaking of gaming, iOS 18 introduces ‘Game Mode‘, which makes your iPhone work better for gaming, including making audio respond faster.
By minimizing background activities, Game Mode maintains high frame rates to avoid lags in games. It also reduces audio latency with AirPods, so sound effects and music are perfectly timed with on-screen actions.
Plus, it supports 16-bit, 48kHz audio for AirPods Pro both for the game audio and voice chat.
4. Smart Song Transitions
The Music app already has a Crossfade feature. But, iOS 18 is set to make it better. The upcoming update will add Smart Song Transitions, which can make songs go from one to another more smoothly.
What sets Smart Song Transitions apart is the level of customization it offers. Users can set how long the crossfade lasts, from one to twelve seconds, allowing for a tailored listening experience.
Whether you prefer a quick switch between tracks or a gradual blend, this feature has you covered.
5. Head Gestures
In a move that feels straight out of a sci-fi movie, iOS 18 will introduce new head gestures for AirPods Pro. With this, users can nod up and down or shake left and right to do things like answer or reject calls.
This feature also works with Siri, so users can handle notifications and interact with messages without talking. It’s a feature that could prove particularly useful in situations where you need to stay quiet or when your hands are occupied.
6. HDMI Passthrough for Dolby Atmos
The new HDMI Passthrough for Dolby Atmos enhances audio output when connecting your Mac or iPhone to external devices.
Basically, it makes sure that the full Dolby Atmos audio is decoded and output as intended by the creators, while also sending the video signal to a connected TV.
7. Granular Adaptive Audio Control
AirPods Pro users will gain more control over their listening experience with the new Granular Adaptive Audio Control in iOS 18.
Currently, Adaptive Audio is an all-or-nothing setting. But, the new update introduces a “Customize Adaptive Audio” menu, allowing users to fine-tune the level of noise control.
This means you can adjust how much outside sound you want to let in or block out, making your audio experience more personal.
8. Music Haptics
Apple is working on making its devices more accessible and one of its moves is iOS 18’s introduction of Music Haptics.
This accessibility feature is designed to help deaf or hard-of-hearing users experience music through tactile feedback. Meaning, it opens up a new way to enjoy music, even for those who can’t hear well.
When turned on, the iPhone’s Taptic Engine makes taps, textures, and refined vibrations that match the music.
Apple is also releasing an API for developers to add Music Haptics in their own apps. This could lead to more inclusive music apps and tools, broadening the ways in which people can interact with and enjoy music.
9. Hearing Aid Mode
Aside from haptics, iOS 18 will also introduce a new Hearing Aid Mode for AirPods Pro, to make them more accessible. This mode transforms your AirPods Pro into a device that can help people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Hearing Aid Mode builds on the existing Conversation Boost feature, which makes people talking directly in front of you louder and clearer. But the new mode does even more.
The new feature offers better sound processing and more customization options.
With this, users can expect better sound amplification, less noise, and frequency adjustments tailored to their specific hearing needs. So, conversations are easier to follow, and ambient sounds are easier to hear.