Open Settings and Find Your AirPods
To change any AirPod setting, start by opening the Settings app on your iPhone. Tap the gear icon on your home screen or in your app library. Once Settings opens, look for Bluetooth near the top of the menu and tap it.
In the Bluetooth menu, you will see a list of connected devices. Find your AirPods in that list — they will show a blue dot next to the name if they are currently connected. Tap the information icon (the small circle with an "i" inside it) next to your AirPods name. This opens the detailed settings page where you can change most features.
Key Takeaways
- Open Settings, tap Bluetooth, find your AirPods, and tap the information icon next to their name to reach the settings menu.
- You can change what happens when you double-tap an AirPod, adjust microphone settings, and control which device they connect to first.
- Noise control settings (Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, or Off) are found in Control Center, not in the Bluetooth settings menu.
- If you cannot find your AirPods in the Bluetooth list, make sure they are charged and within range of your iPhone.
- Some settings like volume and playback are controlled through the Music or Podcasts app, not through AirPod settings.
Change What Double-Tapping Does
One of the most useful settings is what happens when you double-tap one of your AirPods. On the AirPods settings page, scroll down until you see Double-Tap to Play/Pause or similar wording depending on your AirPod model. Tap the option next to the left or right AirPod to change it.
Your choices usually include Play/Pause, Next Track, Previous Track, Siri, or Off. If you choose Siri, double-tapping will set up your voice assistant. If you choose Off, that AirPod will not respond to double-taps at all. Make your choice and the setting saves when ready — you do not need to confirm or restart anything.
Adjust Microphone and Automatic Ear Detection
Scroll further down the AirPods settings page to find Microphone. This controls which AirPod picks up your voice during calls. Your options are usually Left, Right, or Automatic. Automatic means your iPhone will use whichever AirPod is in your ear, or switch between them if you move one out. If you always wear one AirPod, set it to that specific side so the microphone does not switch unexpectedly.
On the same page, look for Automatic Ear Detection. When this is on, your AirPods pause music when you remove them and resume when you put them back in. Turn it off if you find it pauses too often or if you want music to keep playing while you are wearing only one AirPod. This setting also affects whether Siri activates when you double-tap.
Set Which Device Connects First
If you own multiple Apple devices — an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch — you can control which one your AirPods connect to first. On the AirPods settings page, look for Connect to This iPhone or a similar option. Tap it and choose from options like "Automatically with the device I'm using most" or "This iPhone only."
The automatic option is useful if you switch between devices throughout the day — your AirPods will connect to whichever device you are actively using. If you choose "This iPhone only," your AirPods will not automatically switch to your iPad or Mac, even if you open an app there. You can still manually reconnect them through Bluetooth on another device if needed.
Control Noise Settings Through Control Center
Noise control — Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, or Off — is not found in the Bluetooth settings menu. Instead, open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of your screen (or up from the bottom on older iPhones). Look for the volume slider or sound icon.
Press and hold the volume icon to expand the audio menu. You will see your AirPods listed with a noise control button below them. Tap the button to cycle through Active Noise Cancellation (blocks outside sound), Transparency (lets outside sound in), or Off. Active Noise Cancellation works best for steady sounds like airplane engines or traffic. Transparency is useful when you need to hear conversations or traffic while wearing your AirPods.
Rename Your AirPods and Check Battery
At the top of the AirPods settings page, you will see the name of your AirPods — usually "Marcus's AirPods" or similar. Tap the name to change it to something more specific, like "AirPods Pro" or "Left Earbud Only." This is useful if you own multiple pairs and want to tell them apart in your Bluetooth list.
On the same settings page, you can also see the battery percentage of each AirPod and the charging case. If your AirPods are not holding a charge, this is where you will notice it. Battery percentage updates when your AirPods are connected to your iPhone, so if you see "Unknown," disconnect and reconnect them to refresh the reading.
Reset Your AirPods if Settings Do Not Stick
If you change a setting and it does not seem to take effect, or if your AirPods are behaving strangely, you may need to reset them. On the AirPods settings page, tap Forget This Device at the bottom. This removes your AirPods from your iPhone's memory.
After forgetting them, place your AirPods in their charging case and close the lid. Wait about 15 seconds, then open the lid. Hold the setup button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds until the light inside flashes white. Your AirPods are now in pairing mode. Go back to Bluetooth settings, and your AirPods will appear as a new device ready to pair. Once you pair them again, your settings will reset to factory defaults, and you can reconfigure them from scratch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I find the information icon next to my AirPods in Bluetooth settings?
Make sure your AirPods are charged and within range of your iPhone. If they are off or the battery is completely dead, they will not appear in the Bluetooth list. If they appear but without an information icon, try forgetting the device and pairing them again.
Can I change the volume of just one AirPod?
No — volume is controlled through your iPhone's main volume slider or through the app you are using (Music, Podcasts, etc.). Both AirPods will always play at the same volume. If one AirPod sounds quieter, it may have a dirty speaker mesh or a battery issue.
What does Transparency mode do?
Transparency mode uses the microphones in your AirPods to pick up outside sound and play it through the speakers so you can hear conversations, traffic, or announcements while listening to music or calls. It is useful in situations where you need awareness of your surroundings.
Will changing settings on my iPhone affect my AirPods on other devices?
No — each device stores its own settings for your AirPods. If you change the double-tap action on your iPhone, that setting only applies when your AirPods are connected to your iPhone. Your iPad or Mac will have separate settings you can configure independently.
How do I turn off automatic switching between devices?
Go to AirPods settings on your iPhone, scroll to the connection options, and choose "This iPhone only" instead of "Automatically with the device I'm using most." This prevents your AirPods from switching to your iPad or Mac when you open an app there.