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AirPods

How to adjust the accessibility settings for AirPods on iPad

by Stacey Butler

With AirPods 3 or later, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max, you can adjust the accessibility settings to suit your mobility or hearing needs. You can change the press speed and how long you press and hold, and with AirPods Pro, even use noise cancellation with one AirPod.

  1. Open Settings, tap Accessibility, and then tap AirPods.
  2. If you have multiple AirPods, select one.
  3. Set any of the following options:
    • Press Speed: Adjust how quickly you must press two or three times before an action occurs.
    • Press and Hold Duration: Adjust the duration required to press and hold on your AirPods.
    • Noise Cancellation with One AirPod: With AirPods Pro, turn on noise cancellation even when you’re using only one of your AirPods.
    • Spatial Audio Head Tracking: When you turn on Follow iPad, Spatial Audio sounds like it’s coming from your iPad instead of following the movement of your head (for supported audio and video content).
    • Tone Volume: Adjust the volume of the sound effects that are played by your AirPods, such as low battery alerts.

With AirPods Pro 2, you can take a hearing test using your iPad. And for perceived mild to moderate hearing loss, the Hearing Aid feature can provide hearing assistance.

See also

Tag: AirPods
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How to use hearing health features in Health on iPad

by Kevin Hollington

You can take a Hearing Test with your AirPods Pro 2 to provide insight into your hearing. Hearing test results (audiograms) depict the results of a pure-tone audiometry test—they display how loud sounds need to be for you to hear them.

The difference between the decibel level you need and a normal level indicates your level of hearing loss. If there’s no difference, your hearing is normal, and if there’s some or a lot of difference, your hearing is impaired. You can review your results in the Health app and export a PDF of your audiogram.

Note: The Hearing Test is available for ages 18 and older. Not available in all countries or regions.

Take a Hearing Test

  1. Go to the Health app on your iPad.
  2. Tap the Browse button and then tap Hearing.
  3. Scroll down to Get More From Health. Tap Take Hearing Test.
  4. Tap Get Started, then follow the onscreen instructions.

The Health app is where you review your Hearing Test results. It can also export a PDF version of your audiogram so you can share it with your hearing healthcare professional.

See also

Tags: AirPods, Health
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How to check your headphone audio levels on iPad

by Chris Smith

While using headphones with iPad, you can check whether the audio level is OK by viewing the Hearing control in Control Center. In the Health app, you can review the history of your headphone listening habits.

If you listen to loud headphone audio for long enough to affect your hearing, iPad automatically sends you a notification that you should turn down the volume. The next time you connect your headphones after that, your volume is automatically set to a lower level, though you can turn it up again. The Headphone Level meter shows your live audio level in decibels, and you can also reduce loud headphone sounds.

Quick tip: In the Health app, tap the Search button, tap Hearing, and then tap Headphone Notifications to review the details of a headphone notification.

Check your headphone levels while you listen

You can view your live headphone levels in Control Center.

  1. Open Control Center.
  2. Tap the Add button at the top left of Control Center and then tap Add a Control.
  3. Scroll down to Hearing Accessibility, then tap Hearing.
  4. Tap the Hearing Devices button.

    The audio level (in decibels) of your headphones is displayed on the Headphone Level meter.

Note: Live Listen (below the Headphone Level meter) turns on or off with a tap. For more, see our article, Use iPad as a remote microphone with Live Listen. Headphone level monitoring and Live Listen typically aren’t used together, since the Headphone Level monitor is intended for listening to audio playback, while Live Listen picks up external sounds with the iPad microphone.

Check your headphone levels over time

  1. Start the Health app on your iPad.
  2. Tap the Browse button and then tap Hearing.
  3. Tap Headphone Audio Levels and then do any of the following:
    • See exposure levels over a period of time: Tap the tabs at the top of the screen. (All levels are measured in decibels.)
    • Learn about the sound level classifications: Tap the Show Information button.
    • Change the time span displayed in the graph: Swipe the graph left or right.
    • Display highlights: Scroll down to Highlights and then tap Show All.

To learn more about your headphone audio levels, tap Show More Data.

Reduce loud headphone sounds

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Sounds, scroll down, and tap Reduce Loud Audio below Headphones.
  3. Turn on Reduce Loud Audio, then drag the slider.

    iPad analyzes your headphone audio and reduces any sound above the level you set.

    Note: If you set up Screen Time for family members, you can prevent them from changing the Reduce Loud Sounds level. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Reduce Loud Sounds, then select Don’t Allow.

Get headphone audio notifications

You can find headphone notifications on the Summary screen of the Health app.

Note: Depending on your country or region, Headphone Notifications may be turned on by default, and in some countries or regions, you may not be able to turn it off. If allowed in your country or region, you can do the following:

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Sound, then scroll down to Headphones.
  3. Turn Headphone Notifications on or off.

You can also set a maximum decibel level in the Settings app to keep your headphone audio at a comfortable level.

For the most accurate headphone audio measurements, use Apple or Beats headphones. With other headphones, the audio can be estimated based on your iPad’s volume.

See also

Tags: AirPods, Health
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How to use AirPods with iPad

by Kevin Hollington

After you pair AirPods (sold separately) with iPad, you can use AirPods to listen to audio playing on iPad, make and answer FaceTime calls, listen and respond to messages, and more. They also pair automatically with your other supported devices signed in to the same Apple Account.

Pair AirPods with your iPad

  1. On iPad, open Settings, tap Bluetooth, and then turn on Bluetooth.
  2. Go to the Home Screen on your iPad.
  3. Do one of the following:

    • AirPods (1, 2, and 3) and AirPods Pro: Open the case with your AirPods inside, then hold it next to your iPad.
    • AirPods Max: Take your AirPods Max out of the Smart Case and then hold AirPods Max next to your iPad.
  4. Follow the onscreen instructions, then tap Done.

    Note: If onscreen instructions for pairing your AirPods Max don’t appear, go to Settings > Bluetooth, then select your AirPods Max. If the status light doesn’t flash white on AirPods Max, press and hold the noise control button until it does.

AirPods pair automatically with all of your supported devices signed in to the same Apple Account, as long as they’re running iPadOS 13, iOS 10, watchOS 3, macOS 10.12, or later.

See also

Tag: AirPods
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How to use headphone audio-level features on iPad

by Tyler Stephen

You can set a maximum decibel level to ensure that headphone audio doesn’t become uncomfortable for you. iPad analyzes your headphone audio and reduces any sound above this level, and you can also check whether the current audio level is OK or loud with a headphone level meter.

AirPods, EarPods, and many other wired and wireless headphones work with Hearing in Control Center, and you can improve the accuracy of audio measurements for third-party Bluetooth headphones.

Reduce loud headphone sounds in Settings

  1. Open Settings, tap Sounds & Haptics, tap Headphone Safety, and then tap Reduce Loud Audio.
  2. Turn on Reduce Loud Sounds, then drag the slider.

Note: Once you’ve set up Screen Time for a family member, you can stop them from changing their Reduce Loud Sounds level. To do that, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Reduce Loud Sounds and select Don’t Allow.

Check your headphone level while you listen

Hearing in Control Center can check the current decibel level of headphones you’re using with iPad. It works with AirPods, EarPods, and many other wired and wireless headphones.

  1. Open Control Center. Then touch and hold in the Control Center area.
  2. Tap Add a Control and tap the Hearing Devices button.

    The audio level (in decibels) of your headphones is displayed on the Headphone Level meter.

Note: Scroll below the Headphone Level meter, and you can turn Live Listen on or off there, too. Read our guide, Use iPad as a remote microphone with Live Listen. You usually won’t use headphone level monitoring and Live Listen at the same time: The Headphone Level monitor is meant for listening to audio playback, and Live Listen is meant for listening to external sounds with the iPad microphone.

Improve the accuracy of audio measurements for third-party Bluetooth headphones

Classify your Bluetooth® devices as headphones, speakers, or other devices.

  1. Open Settings, tap Bluetooth, and then tap the information button next to the name of the device.
  2. Tap Device Type, then choose a classification.

Connecting AirPods, EarPods, or other compatible headphones to your iPad automatically sends the headphone audio levels to iPad. Apple or Beats headphones give the most accurate headphone audio measurements, while audio played through other headphones can be estimated based on your iPad’s volume.

See also

Tag: AirPods
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How to use EarPods with Lightning Connector on iPad

by Emily Long

You can use EarPods with Lightning Connector (sold separately) to listen to music and videos, and make calls on an iPad model with a Lightning port. EarPods feature a microphone, volume buttons, and the center button.

You can use the center button to answer and end calls, control audio and video playback, and use Siri, even when iPad is locked. With it, you can pause, skip forward, skip backward, or fast-forward, and switch to an incoming or on-hold call.

EarPods with Lightning Connector.

Apple EarPods; the center button is located on the cord leading to the earpiece for the right ear.

Control audio with your EarPods

  • Pause: Press the center button. Press again to resume playback.
  • Skip forward: Press the center button twice quickly.
  • Skip backward: Press the center button three times quickly.
  • Fast-forward: Press the center button twice quickly and hold.

Manage calls using your EarPods

  • Answer an incoming call: Press the center button.
  • End the current call: Press the center button.
  • Switch to an incoming or on-hold call, and put the current call on hold: Press the center button. Press again to switch back to the first call.

Ask Siri with your EarPods

Press and hold the center button until you hear a beep. Let go, then ask Siri to perform a task or answer your question. See Turn on and activate Siri on iPad.

See also

Tag: AirPods
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How to adjust accessibility audio settings on Apple Watch

by Moses Johnson

Mono Audio lets you hear a combined left+right audio signal out of both audio channels on speakers or headphones connected to your Apple Watch. You can also adjust the left-right balance of your Apple Watch audio, whether stereo or mono.

And you can change AirPods settings to be more accessible, show HomePod transcriptions, and get headphone notifications. You can also make these changes in the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.

Here’s how to change accessibility audio settings on Apple Watch.

Change mono audio and balance settings

Go to the Settings app on your Apple Watch, tap Accessibility, then, under Hearing, do any of the following:

  • Switch from stereo to mono audio: Turn on Mono Audio.
  • Adjust the audio balance: Tap the L or R button below Mono Audio.

You can also go to the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, tap My Watch, tap Accessibility, then turn on Mono Audio and adjust the audio balance.

Change AirPods settings

You can change press speed and press-and-hold duration settings for the AirPods you use with your Apple Watch. You can also turn on noise cancellation on AirPods Pro for when you have one of your AirPods in only one ear.

  1. Start the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
  2. Go to Accessibility, tap AirPods, select your AirPods, and choose settings.

You can also go to the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, tap My Watch, then go to Accessibility > AirPods.

Show HomePod transcriptions

When Apple Watch and HomePod are signed in to the same Apple Account, your watch can show transcriptions for any HomePod announcements.

  1. Start the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
  2. Go to Accessibility, then turn on Show Audio Transcriptions.

Turn on headphone notifications

If you’ve been listening to loud headphone audio long enough to affect your hearing, your Apple Watch can send a notification to help protect it.

  1. Start the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
  2. Go to Accessibility, then turn on Headphone Notifications.

See also

Tags: accessibility, AirPods
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How to connect Apple Watch to Bluetooth headphones or speakers

by Moses Johnson

You can play audio from Apple Watch on Bluetooth headphones or speakers.

Bluetooth headphones and speakers pair with your watch once they’re in discovery mode, as the instructions that came with them describe. You can also monitor and adjust your headphone volume, reduce loud sounds, and view loud headphone audio notifications, and Apple Watch can even cap your headphone audio at a specific decibel level.

Here’s how to connect Apple Watch to Bluetooth headphones or speakers.

Quick tip: AirPods you set up with your iPhone are ready to use with your Apple Watch, too, so press play and listen.

Pair Bluetooth headphones or speakers

Follow the instructions that came with the headphones or speakers to put them in discovery mode. When the Bluetooth device is ready, follow these steps:

  1. Go to the Settings app on Apple Watch. Tap Bluetooth.
  2. Tap the device when it appears.

You can also tap the More Actions button on the play screens of the Audiobooks, Music, Now Playing, and Podcasts apps to open the AirPlay setting.

Monitor and adjust your headphone volume

  1. Press the side button to open Control Center.
  2. While listening to your headphones, tap the Hearing Devices Switch button.

    A meter shows the current headphone volume.

  3. Tap the volume controls below Headphone Volume or tap the slider. Then turn the Digital Crown to adjust.

Reduce loud sounds

Your Apple Watch can cap the volume of your headphone audio at a specific decibel level.

  1. Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
  2. Go to Sounds & Haptics, tap Headphone Safety, and tap Reduce Loud Sounds.
  3. Turn on Reduce Loud Sounds and then set a level.

View loud headphone audio notifications

If loud audio in your headphones goes on long enough that it could affect your hearing, you get a headphone notification, and Apple Watch automatically turns the volume down to a more moderate level to protect your hearing.

To view details about headphone notifications, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
  2. Go to Sounds & Haptics and tap Headphone Safety. Tap Last 6 Months below Headphone Notifications.

You can also open the Health app on your iPhone, tap the Search button, tap Hearing, tap Headphone Notifications, then tap a notification.

See also

Tags: AirPods, Bluetooth
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How to use EarPods with iPhone

by Chris Smith

You can use EarPods (sold separately) to listen to music and videos and to make calls on iPhone. EarPods feature a microphone, volume buttons, and the center button.

The center button does most of the work. You use the center button to answer and end calls, control audio and video playback, and use Siri, even when iPhone is locked. With it, you can also pause, skip forward, skip backward, or fast-forward, and manage calls using your EarPods.

Apple EarPods; the center button is located on the cord leading to the earpiece for the right ear.

Control audio with your EarPods

  • Pause: Press the center button. Press again to resume playback.
  • Skip forward: Press the center button twice quickly.
  • Skip backward: Press the center button three times quickly.
  • Fast-forward: Press the center button twice quickly and hold.

Manage calls using your EarPods

  • Answer an incoming call: Press the center button.
  • End the current call: Press the center button.
  • Switch to an incoming or on-hold call, and put the current call on hold: Press the center button. Press again to switch back to the first call.

Ask Siri with your EarPods

Press and hold the center button until you hear a beep. Let go, then ask Siri to perform a task or answer your question.

Tag: AirPods
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How to check your headphone audio levels on iPhone

by Emily Long

While using headphones with iPhone, you can check the audio level by viewing the Hearing control in Control Center. In the Health app, you can review the history of your headphone listening habits.

If you listen to loud headphone audio long enough to affect your hearing, iPhone automatically sends you a notification that you should turn down the volume. The next time you plug in your headphones or connect them using Bluetooth®, your volume is automatically set to a lower level, though you can turn it up again if you choose.

Here’s how to check your headphone audio levels on iPhone.

Quick tip: You can review the details of any headphone notification in Health. Tap Browse at the bottom right, tap Hearing, and then tap Headphone Notifications.

Check your headphone levels while you listen

Control Center is where you can view your live headphone levels.

  1. Open Control Center.
  2. Tap the Add button at the top left of Control Center and then tap Add a Control.
  3. Scroll down to Hearing Accessibility, then tap Hearing.
  4. Tap the Hearing Devices button in Control Center.

The Headphone Level meter displays your headphones’ audio level in decibels.

Note: Tap Live Listen (below the Headphone Level meter) to turn it on or off. Typically, you won’t use it at the same time as headphone level monitoring, since the Headphone Level monitor is for listening to audio playback, while Live Listen is for listening to external sounds with the iPhone microphone.

Check your headphone levels over time

  1. Start the Health app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Browse and then tap Hearing.
  3. Tap Headphone Audio Levels and then do any of the following:
    • See exposure levels over a period of time: Tap the tabs at the top of the screen. (All levels are measured in decibels.)
    • Learn about the sound level classifications: Tap the Show Information button.
    • Change the time span displayed in the graph: Swipe the graph left or right.
    • Display highlights: Scroll down to Highlights and then tap Show All.

To learn more about your headphone audio levels, tap Show More Data.

Reduce loud headphone sounds

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Sounds & Haptics, scroll down, and then tap Headphone Safety.
  3. Turn on Reduce Loud Audio, then drag the slider.

By analyzing your headphone audio, iPhone reduces any sound above the level you set.

The Headphone Safety screen, showing the number of headphone notifications sent in the last 6 months, the Reduce Loud Audio option, a slider for changing the maximum decibel level, and the selected decibel limit of 85 decibels.

Note: You can prevent family members from changing the Reduce Loud Sounds level if you’ve set up Screen Time for them. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Reduce Loud Sounds, and select Don’t Allow.

Get headphone audio notifications

Headphone notifications appear on the Summary screen of the Health app.

Note: Depending on your country or region, Headphone Notifications may be turned on by default, and in some countries or regions, you may not be able to turn it off. If allowed in your country or region, you can do the following:

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Sounds & Haptics, then tap Headphone Safety.
  3. Turn Headphone Notifications on or off.

The Settings app can also set a maximum decibel level to keep your headphone audio at a comfortable level.

With Apple or Beats headphones, headphone audio measurements are most accurate. For other headphones, the audio played through them can be estimated based on your iPhone’s volume.

Tag: AirPods
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