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How to set up and use RTT on Apple Watch

by Abigail Shilets

Real-time text (RTT) is a protocol that transmits audio as you type text. If you have hearing or speech difficulties, Apple Watch with cellular can communicate using RTT when you’re away from your iPhone.

Apple Watch uses built-in Software RTT that you configure in the Apple Watch app, so it requires no additional devices. Text appears on Apple Watch, much like a Messages conversation, and you can send a reply with just a tap.

Important: RTT is not supported by all carriers or in all countries or regions. When making an emergency call in the U.S., Apple Watch sends special characters or tones to alert the operator. The operator’s ability to receive or respond to these tones can vary depending on your location. Apple doesn’t guarantee that the operator can receive or respond to an RTT call.

Turn on RTT

  1. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap My Watch, go to Accessibility, tap RTT, and then turn on RTT.
  3. Tap Relay Number, then enter the phone number to use for relay calls using RTT.
  4. Turn on Send Immediately to send each character as you type. Turn off to complete messages before sending.

Start an RTT call

  1. Go to the Phone app on your Apple Watch.
  2. Tap Contacts and then turn the Digital Crown to scroll.
  3. Tap the contact you want to call and scroll down. Then tap the RTT button.
  4. Scribble a message, tap a reply from the list, or send an emoji.

    Note: Scribble is not available in all languages.

    Text appears on Apple Watch, much like a Messages conversation.

Note: You’re notified when the other person on the call doesn’t have RTT enabled.

Answer an RTT call

  1. When you hear or feel the call notification, raise your wrist to see who’s calling.
  2. Tap the Answer button, scroll down, and then tap the RTT button.
  3. Scribble a message, tap a reply from the list, or send an emoji.

    Note: Scribble is not available in all languages.

Edit default replies

When you make or receive an RTT call on Apple Watch, you can send a reply with just a tap. To create additional replies of your own, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap My Watch, go to Accessibility and tap RTT. Then tap Default Replies.
  3. Tap “Add reply,” enter your reply, then tap Done.

    Tip: Typically, replies end with “GA” for go ahead, which tells the other person that you’re ready for their reply.

To edit or delete existing replies, or change the order of replies, tap Edit in the Default Replies screen.

See also

Tags: accessibility, Phone
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How to recognize sounds using Apple Watch

by Abigail Shilets

Apple Watch can continuously listen for certain sounds—such as a doorbell, siren, or crying baby—and notify you when it recognizes these sounds.

It works on Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, and your iPhone may need to download the available sounds first.

Here’s how to recognize sounds using Apple Watch.

Note: Sound recognition is available on Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. Don’t rely on your Apple Watch to recognize sounds in circumstances where you may be harmed or injured, in high-risk or emergency situations, or for navigation. For more information, see Important safety information for Apple Watch.

Set up Sound Recognition

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Accessibility, tap Sound & Name Recognition, tap Sound Recognition, and turn on Sound Recognition.

    Note: After you turn on Sound Recognition, you may need to wait for your iPhone to download the available sounds to your device.

  3. Tap Sounds and turn on the sounds you want your Apple Watch to recognize.

Turn off Sound Recognition on Apple Watch

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Accessibility, scroll down to Hearing, and tap Sound & Name Recognition.
  3. Tap Sound Recognition. Then turn off Detect using Apple Watch.

See also

Tags: accessibility, Sound Recognition
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How to get started with accessibility features on AirPods

by Moses Johnson

Your AirPods have built-in accessibility features that can improve your listening experience, whether you’re listening to your favorite music or trying to hear a conversation in a crowded room. Some settings apply to all headphones, and others are just for your AirPods.

The Hearing Devices screen in Control Center. From top to bottom, it includes the Headphone Level in decibels, Hearing Assistance, Background Sounds, and Live Listen.

To get started, here are a few ways your AirPods can help:

Play background sounds

Calming background sounds can help you relax or focus, and you can choose from a list of them, like Rain or Ocean, and adjust the volume. For the steps, check out our article, Play background sounds.

Customize Transparency mode

While you’re listening to music, podcasts, and more on AirPods Pro, it’s possible to hear sounds around you with Transparency mode. You can also adjust the ambient noise you hear in it and turn on Conversation Boost to help you pick out conversations from background noise. For more, read our guide, Use and customize Transparency mode.

Hear across the room

With Live Listen, your iPhone or iPad acts as a microphone, sending sound straight to your AirPods, even from across the room. It’s a way to hear a lecture from the back row of the classroom or a conversation in a crowded room. For the steps, see our article, Use Live Listen.

Adjust AirPods control settings

You can adjust the settings for the button, force sensor, or force sensor with volume swipe on your AirPods to make them easier for you to use, such as how long you need to hold the force sensor before an action occurs. See Change force sensor, force sensor with volume swipe, or button settings.

Change accessibility settings

Once AirPods are set up, you can adjust accessibility settings. Headphone accommodations, for example, apply to all headphones, while others, like Transparency, are just for your AirPods.

Choose any of these features:

Tag: accessibility
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How to change force sensor, force sensor with volume swipe, or button settings for AirPods

by Stacey Butler

You can change how the controls on your AirPods respond to suit your motor needs. On your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, or Apple Watch, you can adjust the button, force sensor, or force sensor with volume swipe settings for AirPods 3, 4, or 5, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max.

When an action requires multiple presses, you can adjust how quickly you must press. You can also adjust how long you need to hold before an action occurs. And on models with the force sensor with volume swipe, like AirPods Pro 3, Volume Swipe can be adjusted or turned off.

Change force sensor or button settings using iPhone or iPad

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Tap Accessibility, then tap AirPods.
  3. Set any of the following options:

    • Press Speed: When an action requires multiple presses of the buttons, force sensor, or force sensor with volume swipe, adjust how quickly you must press before the action occurs.
    • Press and Hold Duration: Adjust how long you must press and hold the buttons, force sensor, or force sensor with volume swipe before an action occurs.
    • Volume Control for AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Pro 3: If you don’t want to control the volume by swiping up or down on the stem, turn off Volume Swipe.

      You can also adjust the length of the swipe by tapping an option below Volume Swipe.

Change force sensor or button settings using Mac

  1. Open the System Settings app on your Mac.
  2. Click Accessibility in the sidebar. Click Audio (you may need to scroll down).
  3. Set any of the following options:
    • Press speed: When an action requires pressing the buttons or force sensor multiple times, adjust how quickly you must press before the action occurs.
    • Press and hold duration: Adjust the duration required to press and hold the buttons or force sensor on your AirPods before an action occurs.
    • Volume Control for AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Pro 3: If you don’t want to control the volume by swiping up or down on the stem, turn off Volume Control.

Change force sensor or button settings using Apple Watch

  1. Wear your AirPods, and make sure they’re connected to your Apple Watch.
  2. Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
  3. Tap Accessibility, tap AirPods, and then choose settings.

Change force sensor or button settings using your Apple TV device

  1. Wear your AirPods, and make sure they’re connected to your Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD.
  2. Open the Settings app on your Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD.
  3. Select Accessibility, select AirPods, and select your AirPods from the list. Adjust any of the following:
    • Press Speed: When an action requires multiple presses of the buttons, force sensor, or force sensor with volume swipe, adjust how quickly you must press before the action occurs.
    • Press and Hold Duration: Adjust how long you must press and hold the buttons, force sensor, or force sensor with volume swipe before an action occurs.

You can also change the accessibility settings for your AirPods so they suit your hearing needs. Check out our article, Set headphone accommodations for AirPods, for the steps.

See also

Tags: accessibility, Controls & Gestures
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How to use Live Listen with AirPods

by Kevin Hollington

You can amplify sound with Live Listen, which works through your iPhone or iPad. With your device placed near what you want to hear, you listen through your AirPods.

It can help you hear better in some situations, for example, when you’re having a conversation in a noisy environment. Live Listen lives in Control Center on your iPhone or iPad, and it works with iOS 27, iPadOS 27, or later.

Here’s how to start Live Listen with your AirPods.

  1. Wear your AirPods, and make sure they’re connected to your device.
  2. Open Control Center on your iPhone or iPad, tap the Hearing Devices button, and then tap Live Listen.

    If you don’t see the Hearing Devices button, add it to Control Center. Open Control Center, touch and hold the screen, tap Add a Control, then tap Hearing.

  3. Position your device near the sound source.

This guide is for iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, tvOS 27, watchOS 27, or later.

See also

Tag: accessibility
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How to set headphone accommodations for AirPods

by Stacey Butler

When you use supported AirPods with iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can change the accessibility settings for your AirPods to suit your hearing needs. Headphone accommodations amplify soft sounds and adjust certain frequencies, so music, movies, phone calls, and podcasts sound more crisp and clear.

You can choose Balanced Tone, Vocal Range, or Brightness, pick Slight, Moderate, or Strong amplification of soft sounds, and apply these audio settings to phone calls, media, or both.

Here’s how to set up headphone accommodations for your AirPods.

Set headphone accommodations on iPhone or iPad

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Tap Accessibility and tap Audio & Visual. Tap Headphone Accommodations.
  3. Turn on Headphone Accommodations.
  4. Tap Customize Audio. Then follow the onscreen instructions, or manually set any of the following:
    • Audio Tuning: Choose Balanced Tone, Vocal Range, or Brightness.
    • Level: Choose Slight, Moderate, or Strong amplification of soft sounds.
    • Phone: Apply these audio settings to phone calls.
    • Media: Apply these audio settings to media playback.
    • Transparency mode on AirPods Pro: Turn on Custom Transparency Mode and adjust the amplification, balance, and tone to help you hear what’s happening around you. See Use and customize Transparency mode.
  5. To preview your audio settings, tap Play Sample.

Set headphone accommodations on Mac

  1. Start the System Settings app on your Mac.
  2. Click Accessibility in the sidebar.
  3. Click Audio and turn on Headphone Accommodations. (You may need to scroll down.)

    Note: To use Headphone Accommodations, you need to turn off Hearing Aid and Media Assist in AirPods settings. See Use hearing health features with AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods Pro 3.

  4. Click Customize Audio and then follow the onscreen instructions. Or manually set any of the following:

    • Audio tuning: Choose Balanced Tone, Vocal Range, or Brightness.
    • Optimization: Adjust the slider to choose Slight, Moderate, or Strong amplification of soft sounds.
    • Phone: Apply these audio settings to phone calls.
    • Media: Apply these audio settings to media playback.
    • Transparency mode on AirPods Pro: Turn on Transparency Mode and adjust the amplification, balance, tone, and more to help you hear what’s happening around you. See Use and customize Transparency mode.
  5. To preview your audio settings, click Play Sample.

See also

Tag: accessibility
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How to play the same sound in both of your AirPods

by Chris Smith

With supported AirPods, you can use Mono Audio, rather than stereo sound, to play the same content in both ears. It works when you use your AirPods with iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch, and on a Mac, it’s called “Play stereo audio as mono.” You can’t use Spatial Audio and head tracking with Mono Audio, though.

  • iPhone or iPad: Go to the Settings app, then tap Accessibility. Tap Audio & Visual, then turn on Mono Audio.
  • Apple Watch: Go to the Settings app, tap Accessibility, then turn on Mono Audio below Hearing.
  • Mac: Go to the System Settings app, then click Accessibility in the sidebar. Click Audio, then turn on “Play stereo audio as mono.”

Note: Spatial Audio and head tracking aren’t available when you use Mono Audio.

See also

Tag: accessibility
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How to adjust the volume of sound effects for AirPods

by Moses Johnson

Your AirPods play sound effects at certain moments, such as when you put them in your ears or receive low battery alerts. On AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case, AirPods Pro 2, or AirPods Pro 3, the force sensor with volume swipe plays one, too.

You can adjust how loud they are from any of your devices.

  1. Wear your AirPods, and make sure they’re connected to your device.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • iPhone or iPad: Go to the Settings app, then tap Accessibility. Tap AirPods.
    • Mac: Go to the System Settings app and click Accessibility in the sidebar. Click Audio.
    • Apple Watch: Go to the Settings app and tap Accessibility. Tap AirPods and select your AirPods.
    • Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD: Go to the Settings app, then select Accessibility. Select AirPods, then select your AirPods.
  3. Adjust Tone Volume.

Your AirPods also have accessibility settings you can change to suit your hearing needs. For details, see our guide, Set headphone accommodations.

See also

Tag: accessibility
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How to play background sounds on AirPods

by Tyler Stephen

When you use supported AirPods with iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can play calming background sounds, such as ocean or rain, to mask unwanted environmental noise. They’re there to help minimize distractions, so you can focus or rest.

You choose the sound and the volume. You can even stop the sounds with a timer.

The Hearing Devices screen in Control Center. From top to bottom, it includes the Headphone Level in decibels, Hearing Assistance, Background Sounds, and Live Listen.

  1. Wear your AirPods, and make sure they’re connected to your device.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • iPhone or iPad: Go to the Settings app, then tap Accessibility. Tap Audio & Visual and tap Background Sounds. Turn on Background Sounds.
    • Mac: Go to the System Settings app, then click Accessibility in the sidebar. Click Audio, then turn on Background Sounds.
  3. Set any of the following:
    • Sound: Choose a sound; the audio file is downloaded to your device.
    • Volume: Drag the slider.
    • Use When Media Is Playing: Adjust the volume of the background sound when your device is playing music or other media.
    • Equalizer: Turn this setting on or off. Choose your options.
    • Stop Sounds with a Timer: Turn this setting on or off. Choose your options.
    • Turn off background sounds when your Mac is not in use (Mac only): Turn this setting on or off.

Quick tip: Hearing in Control Center is a fast way to turn background sounds on or off and adjust the volume from your iPhone or iPad. To add it, open Control Center, touch and hold the screen, and tap Add a Control at the bottom. Then tap Hearing.

This guide is for iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, tvOS 27, watchOS 27, or later.

See also

Tag: accessibility
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How to customize Transparency mode for AirPods

by Moses Johnson

With AirPods Pro in Transparency mode, you can listen to audio and still hear the world around you. You can customize Transparency mode by adjusting amplification, balance, and tone, or reduce the amount of ambient noise you hear.

There are other headphone accommodation features, too. Own Voice Amplification adjusts the amplification of your own speech, and Conversation Boost helps you focus on the person talking in front of you. You can also turn off Loud Sound Reduction for Transparency mode and Adaptive Audio.

Customize Transparency mode

While you listen to audio on AirPods Pro, Transparency mode keeps the world around you audible, and you can customize Transparency mode by adjusting amplification, balance, and tone.

  1. Wear your AirPods, and make sure they’re connected to your device.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • iPhone or iPad: Go to the Settings app, then tap Accessibility. Tap Audio & Visual, tap Headphone Accommodations, and make sure Headphone Accommodations is turned on. Turn on Transparency and tap Customize Transparency. Then drag the Amplification, Transparency Balance, and Tone sliders.
    • Mac: Go to the System Settings app. Click Accessibility in the sidebar. Click Audio, and make sure Headphone Accommodations is turned on. (You may need to scroll down.) Turn on Transparency Mode. Drag the Amplification, Balance, and Tone sliders.

Reduce the amount of ambient noise you hear in Transparency mode

You can cut down the ambient noise you hear in Transparency mode, as long as your AirPods Pro are connected to your device.

  1. Wear your AirPods, and make sure they’re connected to your device.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • iPhone or iPad: Go to the Settings app and then tap Accessibility. Tap Audio & Visual, tap Headphone Accommodations, and make sure Headphone Accommodations is turned on. Turn on Transparency, tap Customize Transparency, and drag the Ambient Noise Reduction slider.
    • Mac: Go to the System Settings app and click Accessibility in the sidebar. Click Audio and make sure Headphone Accommodations is turned on. Turn on Transparency Mode and drag the Ambient Noise Reduction slider.

Adjust Own Voice Amplification

Once your AirPods Pro are connected to your device, Own Voice Amplification can adjust the amplification of your own speech.

  1. Wear your AirPods, and make sure they’re connected to your device.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • iPhone or iPad: Go to the Settings app and tap Accessibility. Tap Audio & Visual, tap Headphone Accommodations, and make sure Headphone Accommodations is turned on. Turn on Transparency, tap Customize Transparency, and then drag the Own Voice Amplification slider.
    • Mac: Go to the System Settings app. Click Accessibility in the sidebar. Click Audio and make sure Headphone Accommodations is turned on. Turn on Transparency Mode. Drag the Own Voice Amplification slider.

Use Conversation Boost

In a face-to-face conversation, Conversation Boost makes it easier to hear by focusing on the person talking in front of you. It’s available when your AirPods Pro are connected to your device.

  1. Wear your AirPods, and make sure they’re connected to your device.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • iPhone or iPad: Go to the Settings app and tap Accessibility. Tap Audio & Visual, tap Headphone Accommodations, and make sure Headphone Accommodations is turned on. Turn on Transparency, tap Customize Transparency, and then turn on Conversation Boost.
    • Mac: Go to the System Settings app and click Accessibility in the sidebar. Click Audio and make sure Headphone Accommodations is turned on. Turn on Transparency Mode and turn on Conversation Boost.

Turn off Loud Sound Reduction for Transparency mode and Adaptive Audio

You can choose to turn off Loud Sound Reduction on your AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, or AirPods Max 2. Loud Sound Reduction reduces exposure to loud environmental noise when you use Transparency mode and Adaptive Audio. The Hearing Protection feature for AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods Pro 3 is off when Loud Sound Reduction is turned off for Transparency mode and Adaptive Audio. For more information on Hearing Protection, see Use hearing health features with AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods Pro 3.

  1. Wear your AirPods, and make sure they’re connected to your device.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • iPhone or iPad: Go to the Settings app, then tap Accessibility. Tap AirPods, then tap Turn Off Loud Sound Reduction.
    • Mac: Go to the System Settings app and then click Accessibility in the sidebar. Click Audio and then click Turn Off next to Loud Sound Reduction.

During a conversation, Conversation Awareness can automatically lower the volume of your media and enhance voices in front of you on AirPods Max 2, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), or AirPods 5. To turn it on, check out our article, Use Personalized Volume or Conversation Awareness.

This guide is for iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, tvOS 27, watchOS 27, or later.

See also

Tags: accessibility, Listening Modes
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