Where to find AirPod settings and what you can actually change
AirPod settings live in three places depending on what you want to adjust: the Bluetooth menu for basic connection controls, the Settings app for audio and Siri options, and the AirPods case itself for a few physical buttons. Most people find what they need in Settings > Bluetooth, but some features — like microphone selection and automatic ear detection — are buried deeper in the audio settings menu. The specific location changes slightly between iPhone, Mac, and Apple Watch, and some settings only appear on certain devices.
You do not need to use Apple's Configurator app or any third-party tool. Everything a typical user needs is built into the operating system and takes less than a minute to reach once you know where to look.
Key Takeaways
- Open Settings > Bluetooth on your iPhone, find your AirPods in the list, and tap the info icon to see name, microphone, and automatic ear detection options.
- Double-tap or long-press the force sensor on the stem to change what action triggers — pause, next track, Siri, or noise control — and this setting syncs across all your Apple devices.
- Mac users reach AirPod settings through System Settings > Bluetooth, then the Options button next to the AirPods name.
- Battery percentage, connection status, and firmware version appear in the same Bluetooth menu, so you can check if your AirPods need charging or an update without opening a separate app.
Changing settings on iPhone and iPad
Open the Settings app and go to Bluetooth. Find your AirPods in the list of connected devices and tap the small info icon (a circle with an "i") to the right of the name. This screen shows the current battery level of each earbud and the case, the device name, and a row of buttons for microphone selection and automatic ear detection.
The microphone menu lets you choose which earbud picks up your voice during calls — Left, Right, or Automatic (the default, which switches based on which earbud is in your ear). Automatic ear detection turns off audio when you remove an earbud and resumes when you put it back in; toggle this off if you find it annoying or if you often take one earbud out but keep the other in.
To change what happens when you double-tap or long-press the force sensor on the stem, stay in the same info screen and scroll down to find the control options. You can assign Siri, pause/play, next track, previous track, or noise control to either a double-tap or a long-press. This setting syncs across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch, so you only need to set it once.
Adjusting settings on Mac
Go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions) and click Bluetooth in the sidebar. Find your AirPods in the list and click the Options button next to the name. The menu that appears is nearly identical to the iPhone version: microphone selection, automatic ear detection, and stem controls all appear here.
If you do not see an Options button, your AirPods may not be fully connected to your Mac. Disconnect them from Bluetooth and reconnect by holding the setup button on the case until the light flashes white, then select them from the Bluetooth menu on your Mac.
Controlling settings from Apple Watch
Apple Watch does not have a dedicated AirPod settings screen. Instead, open the Watch app on your paired iPhone, go to Bluetooth, find your AirPods, and tap the info icon. The same microphone and ear detection options appear here, and any changes you make sync to your watch immediately.
If you want to switch between audio sources on your watch — for example, to use the watch speaker instead of AirPods — swipe up from the bottom of the watch face to open Control Center, long-press the audio card, and select a different output. This does not change the AirPod settings themselves, only which device is currently playing sound.
Renaming your AirPods and checking battery status
To rename your AirPods, go to Settings > Bluetooth on iPhone, tap the info icon next to your AirPods, and tap the current name at the top of the screen. Type a new name and tap Done. The new name appears on all your Apple devices within a few seconds.
Battery percentage for each earbud and the case shows in the same Bluetooth info screen. If an earbud is not showing a percentage, it may not be in the case or may have lost connection. Place it back in the case for a few seconds and check again. You can also see battery status by adding the AirPods battery widget to your iPhone home screen: long-press an empty area, tap the plus icon, search for Batteries, and add the widget.
Updating AirPod firmware
AirPods update automatically when they are in the case, connected to power, and near a connected Apple device. You do not need to do anything — the update happens in the background. To check what firmware version you have, go to Settings > Bluetooth on iPhone, tap the info icon next to your AirPods, and scroll to the bottom. The firmware version appears under "About."
If you suspect an update is stuck, place your AirPods in the case, close the lid, wait 15 minutes, then open the case and check the info screen again. If the version number has not changed, try disconnecting and reconnecting the AirPods to Bluetooth.
Fixing settings that are not showing up
If you cannot see the info icon next to your AirPods in Bluetooth settings, or if certain options like microphone selection are missing, your AirPods may not be fully paired. Forget the device and re-pair: go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the info icon, scroll down, and tap "Forget This Device." Then hold the setup button on the AirPod case until the light flashes white and select them again from the Bluetooth menu.
Some settings only appear on certain AirPod models. For example, noise control options are only available on AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, not on standard AirPods or AirPods (3rd generation). If you are looking for a feature that does not appear, check Apple's support page for your specific model to confirm it is supported.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change AirPod settings without an iPhone?
You can adjust some settings on Mac through System Settings > Bluetooth, but you cannot change settings on Apple Watch without first pairing an iPhone. If you own a Mac but no iPhone, you can still connect and use AirPods, but the settings menu will be limited to microphone and ear detection options.
What does the force sensor do by default?
By default, a double-tap pauses or plays audio, and a long-press activates Siri. You can change both actions in the AirPod info screen under Bluetooth settings. The changes sync across all your devices, so you only need to set it once.
Why did my AirPod settings disappear after I updated iOS?
Settings occasionally reset after a major iOS update. If this happens, go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the info icon next to your AirPods, and reconfigure your preferences. If the info icon does not appear, forget the device and re-pair by holding the setup button on the case until the light flashes white.
Can I have different settings on different devices?
No. Stem controls, microphone selection, and automatic ear detection all sync across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. If you change a setting on one device, it updates on all others within seconds. The only exception is which device is currently playing audio — that is a per-device choice made in Control Center or the audio menu.