How to Use AirPods and Get the Most From the Controls

Your model decides which gesture to use

If you're wondering whether to tap or squeeze, we'd check your model first because a double tap can be an assigned shortcut on older AirPods, while a double press skips tracks on later earbuds. That distinction gives you the right action to learn once they're paired.

The controls and menu paths below are for iOS 27, iPadOS 27 or macOS 27 and later. Older iPhones can still pair with compatible AirPods at the minimum software versions listed below.

Pair your earbuds with your iPhone

Use the latest iOS before first-time setup so you get full functionality. Keep your iPhone connected to Wi-Fi or a cellular network while pairing, because Find My features may be unavailable without that connection.

For pairing and use on older software, AirPods 1 need iOS 10.0 or later, AirPods 2 need iOS 12.2 or later, and AirPods 3 need iOS 15.1 or later. Both AirPods 4 models need iOS 18.0 or later. Both AirPods 5 models specify iOS 27.

AirPods Pro 1 need iOS 13.2 or later. For Pro 2, the Lightning version needs iOS 16.0 or later, while the USB-C version needs iOS 17.0 or later. Pro 3 need iOS 26 or later.

If someone else previously used your earbuds, have them remove the AirPods from their Apple Account before you proceed. AirPods and AirPods Pro can be associated with one Apple Account for features such as automatic device switching and Find My.

These charging-case setup steps are for AirPods and AirPods Pro earbuds. They don't apply to AirPods Max.

1. Go to your iPhone's Home Screen so it's visible.
2. Keep your earbuds inside their charging case, open the lid and hold the case next to your iPhone. Look for the setup animation with a Connect button.
3. Tap Connect, follow the on-screen instructions, then tap Done to complete setup.

If you're signed in to iCloud, your AirPods are also set up automatically on supported devices signed in with the same Apple Account. You can follow Apple's iPhone setup steps (opens in a new tab) alongside the prompts.

No setup card on your iPhone?

If the animation doesn't appear, use manual pairing on your iPhone. The action on the case depends on the earbud generation, and a flashing white status light is your cue to move to Bluetooth settings.

1. Put your earbuds in their charging case and open the lid, leaving the AirPods inside.
2. For AirPods 4 or 5, including both versions of each, and AirPods Pro 3, double-tap the front of the case until the status light flashes white. For AirPods 1, 2 or 3 and AirPods Pro 1 or 2, press and hold the setup button on the back until the light flashes white.
3. On your iPhone, open Settings and tap Bluetooth to see the device list.
4. When your AirPods appear in the list, select them to connect.

Make the controls suit you

Wear your AirPods before changing their controls. On your iPhone or iPad, open Settings and tap your AirPods' name near the top. If you don't see the controls, tap Controls & Gestures.

On a Mac, open System Settings and click your AirPods in the sidebar, scrolling down if needed. Click Controls & Gestures if the controls aren't visible, then make your adjustments there.

For AirPods 1 and 2, the double-tap spot is at the top edge of the stem. You can assign each earbud's double tap to play or pause audio, skip to the next track, return to the previous track, or activate Siri.

Choose the shortcut you want for each earbud, so the left and right sides have the actions you prefer. When a call comes in on either of these generations, double-tap to answer.

Keep the controls for your model (opens in a new tab) open while choosing your assignments if you want a reference beside the settings.

Stem presses control music and incoming calls

Use the sensor along the stem on AirPods 3, both AirPods 4 models, both AirPods 5 models and AirPods Pro 1, 2 and 3. These earbuds share the following playback and call-answering controls.

• Press once to play or pause audio. Press again to resume playback.
• Double-press to play the next track.
• Triple-press to play the previous track.
• When a call comes in, press once to answer it.

For volume on AirPods Pro 2 and Pro 3, lightly swipe up or down along the stem. AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case also have volume swipe, using the sensor along each stem. For AirPods 5, match this feature specifically to the Wireless Charging Case version.

Give Siri a press-and-hold shortcut

On AirPods 3, press and hold the stem to activate Siri, then ask your question or make your request. You can use Siri to control apps as well as ask questions.

On AirPods 4, both AirPods 5 versions and AirPods Pro 1, 2 and 3, you can assign Siri to a press-and-hold action on either earbud. Choose that action in your AirPods controls settings, then hold the assigned stem when you want Siri.

Choose that shortcut with listening modes in mind. On earbuds that support mode switching, your press-and-hold assignment determines whether that earbud calls up Siri or changes the listening mode.

AirPods Max put the controls on the right

On AirPods Max 1 and Max 2, reach for the Digital Crown on the right headphone. Press it to play or pause, double-click for the next track, or triple-click for the previous track. Turn the Crown to adjust volume.

For phone and FaceTime calls on either Max model, press the Crown to answer an incoming call or double-click to decline it. During a call, press to mute or unmute, and double-click to end the conversation.

If a second call arrives, press the Crown to answer it and put the first call on hold, or double-click to decline the new call. With two active calls, double-clicking ends the current call and switches to the other one, so save that action for when you're ready to finish the current conversation.

To activate Siri on either Max model, press and hold the Digital Crown, wait for the chime, then speak. The separate listening mode button is also on the right headphone.

Choose how much of the room you hear

Choose Noise Cancellation when you want to block outside sounds. Use Transparency when you want to hear your surroundings, such as the kettle or your dog. On models with Adaptive Audio, that mode automatically adjusts noise control to suit your environment.

For AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, assign listening-mode switching to either earbud's press-and-hold action in the controls settings, then hold that stem to switch modes. This option is for the ANC version of AirPods 4 only, with Noise Cancellation, Transparency and Adaptive Audio available.

Both AirPods 5 versions and AirPods Pro 2 and Pro 3 also let you assign either earbud's press-and-hold action to switch among Noise Cancellation, Transparency and Adaptive Audio. AirPods Pro 1 use the same configured hold action, with a choice of Noise Cancellation and Transparency.

On AirPods Max 1, press the listening mode button to switch between Noise Cancellation and Transparency. On AirPods Max 2, press that button to switch among Noise Cancellation, Transparency and Adaptive Audio.

Answer with a nod on supported models

When you'd prefer to respond without touching the controls or speaking, head gestures work with AirPods 4, AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2. Both Announce Calls and Announce Notifications must be turned on for these responses to Siri.

Nod your head up and down to accept a call or reply to a notification or message. Shake your head side to side to decline the call or dismiss the notification or message.