AirPods Controls Guide

AirPods Controls

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AirPods are Apple’s wireless headphones. They offer incredible sound quality and easily pair with all Apple devices, such as iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

What most people don’t know are the unique ways AirPods controls work without having to use your phone.

In this guide, we will show you how you can customize the controls on your AirPods to give you the best experience when using these headphones to listen to your favorite music and more!

What Features Support AirPods Customizable Double-Tap Controls?

Before we show you how easy it is to customize your AirPods controls we wanted to show you the features that you can use these controls within to help you get the most from both your Apple device and AirPods.

When you customize your AirPods double-tap shortcut you can choose from the below options on both the left and right AirPods:

  • Play/Pause the track you select or are listening to
  • Skip to the next track
  • Go back to the previous track
  • Access and activate Siri

If you don’t want to use the double-tap shortcut on your AirPods, or if you find you are accidentally triggering it often then you can choose to disable this shortcut entirely.

The double-tap shortcut is very popular with active people who can use this function when running or engaging in other types of exercise.

1

How To Customize Your AirPods Controls

Below we outline how you can customize the double-tap control feature on your Apple AirPods. Your AirPods will need to be connected to your device to adjust and set the controls.

You can choose different settings for both the left and right AirPods. Check out the steps below!

Step

1

Settings App

Open the Settings App on your device.

Step

2

Bluetooth

Select Bluetooth from the Settings menu.

Step

3

My Devices

At the bottom of the Bluetooth screen you will see My Devices and you will find your AirPods listed here.

Step

4

Click

Click on your AirPods to connect if they are not already connected to your device.

Step

5

Information Symbol

Tap the information symbol, i with a circle around it, to the right of your AirPods name to open up the settings page for your AirPods.

Step

6

Tap Left

Tap Left under Double Tap on AirPods, select from the available double-tap shortcuts to set one for your left AirPods. Click the back arrow once you have selected a choice.

Step

7

Tap On Right

Repeat the above step but tap on Right to select a shortcut for your right AirPods. You can choose the same feature again or you can choose a different shortcut.

Step

8

New Settings Will Be Active

Your new settings will be active immediately and you can begin to enjoy using your AirPods with your new customized functionality.

2

How To Disable Your AirPods Controls

Some people find the double-tap shortcut frustrating and choose to disable this feature.

Here we show you how to do this if you find yourself experiencing frustration as a result of your customized double-tap shortcut controls.

Step

1

Settings App

Open the Settings App on your iPhone.

Step

2

Bluetooth

Click into Bluetooth from the settings menu.

Step

3

My Devices

At the bottom of the Bluetooth screen you will see My Devices and you will find your AirPods listed here.

Step

4

Information Symbol

Tap the information symbol, i with a circle around it, to the right of your AirPods name to open up the settings page for your AirPods.

Step

5

Tap Left

Tap Left under Double Tap on AirPods, select Off to turn off the double-tap shortcut on the left AirPods. Click the back arrow once you have selected a choice.

Step

6

Tap Right

Repeat the above step but tap on Right to disable the shortcut for your right AirPods. You can choose to disable functions from only one or both AirPods.

Step

7

Double-Tap

The double-tap shortcuts will instantly be deactivated and so you will not trigger anything when you accidentally brush against your AirPods.

Final Thoughts

Being able to customize your AirPods can help to make your music and podcast listening experiences even more personable as you will have full control over what sounds are pouring in from your AirPods, even if your iPhone is not in reach. 

We hope this guide has helped you and that you will enjoy using this fantastic feature on Apple Airpods

Andrew is one of three co-founders of BGFG, the parent company of PC Guide. A keen gamer and PC enthusiast, Andrew dabbles in a bit of writing sometimes - when he gets the chance to!