Posted on December 28, 2021, 08:39
Did you just get a new set of AirPods for Christmas? If so, we've put together a handy list of tips, tricks, and features you might not know about to get you started with your new headphones.
First off, if you're entirely new to AirPods, we've got you covered with a long list of basic tips on how to use your AirPods.
AirPods basics
6 helpful tips for new AirPods owners
Beyond the basics, here are 6 more helpful tips for your new AirPods: See the article: The best laptop configurations to choose for a small business.
1. Keep your AirPods safe with Find My
Apple's latest AirPods, including the AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro, feature Find My integration, so if they're stolen or misplaced , you can locate them with the Find My app. See also: How to properly test your internet connection and boost your WiFi speed?. AirPods can take advantage of the Find My network, so you can use other people's iPhones, iPads and Macs to find a lost AirPods game, wherever it is, as long as the battery lasts.
Also be sure to enable the “Notify if you forget” option so that you are alerted immediately if you forget your AirPods along the way. To turn it on, open the Find My app, tap your AirPods in the list, and turn on the "Notify if Forgotten" option. These Find My app features also work for AirPods Max.
2. Enable or disable automatic device switching
Apple AirPods have a feature that allows them to automatically connect to the device in use. Related: Ferrari Daytona SP3: All About the Latest in the Icona Series, Powered by an 828-hp V12. So if you're switching from your iPhone to your Mac, the AirPods connection is supposed to switch from one device to another at the same time as you.
Auto-switching can be useful, but in some cases you might not want to enable it if it switches between devices inappropriately. You can manage it by following these steps:
With "Automatically" enabled, your AirPods will connect to your iPhone when it's in use and your AirPods are in your ears. With the "When last connected to this iPhone" option selected, the AirPods will only connect to the last connected device rather than the device currently in use. This feature also works with AirPods 2, AirPods 3, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max.
Related to this article: iPhone 13 Pro vs. Pixel 6 Pro vs. Galaxy S21 Ultra: Testing how slippery these smartphones areNote that you'll need to turn off auto-switching for each device logged into your iCloud account if you're not a fan of the feature and want to turn it off entirely. There is no master switch, Apple takes care of it for each device.
3. Enable announcement notifications
With Siri integration and the latest version of iOS (iOS 15), AirPods are able to announce all your incoming notifications, including messages.
If you turn on both the Announce Notifications option and the Headphones option, Siri will read notifications from apps of your choice when you're wearing AirPods, and give you the option to respond to them. So if you receive a text message, Siri will read it and give you the option to reply to it, all hands-free.
You can select which apps you want to use Announce Notifications with to get important information without Siri reading you a deluge of notifications.
4. Check the battery life of your AirPods
If you want to keep an eye on the battery life of your AirPods, there are several ways to do so. AirPods tell you the battery level when you connect them to a device, or you can use the "Battery" widget on an iPhone or iPad.
Siri is also able to tell you the battery life of your AirPods, and if your AirPods are connected to your Apple Watch, Control Center offers battery life information. To learn more about the different ways to check the battery life of your AirPods, we offer a user guide dedicated to the AirPods battery.
5. Use force sensor to control playback
If you've switched from the original AirPods or AirPods 2 to AirPods 3 or AirPods Pro, or if AirPods are entirely new to you, you may not be be unfamiliar with physical controls.
AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro have a force sensor built into the stem. The force sensor can be used to control media playback with different pressures.
On AirPods Pro, you can customize what the long-press force sensor gesture does, as it can be set to noise control or Siri. The AirPods 3 lack active noise cancellation and are limited to Siri for the long press gesture.
Related to this article:OnePlus 9 at 569 euros during Black Friday 2021 on Amazon6. Make sure Spatial Audio is enabled
Spatial Audio is a feature that provides immersive three-dimensional sound, and it is able to follow iPhone movement with audio and video supported. Spatial audio can be turned on or off using Control Center, and it's available for AirPods 3, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max.
The Off option disables spatial audio entirely, while the Fixed option allows spatial audio to be used, but without the head tracking feature. The Head Tracking option enables full spatial audio functionality with head tracking included.
You can also preview spatial audio by connecting your AirPods to your phone, selecting them in the Bluetooth section of the Settings app, and choosing the "Spatial Audio" option.
Spatial Audio works with the Apple TV app and Apple Music, but many third-party apps also support it, like Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, YouTube, etc. We have a helpful guide that describes many popular third-party apps that support spatial audio.