Since their launch in 2016, Apple's AirPods have become wildly popular and are an oft-gifted item. In 2019, Apple released AirPods Pro, and this year the company debuted a pair of over-ear headphones called AirPods Max, offering more choice for consumers this holiday season.
If you received AirPods, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max as a gift, make sure to take a look through all of the how tos in this guide, because there are plenty of tips and tricks worth knowing.
Basic Features
- How to Set Up and Connect Your New AirPods 2 or AirPods Pro
- How to Charge AirPods, AirPods 2, and AirPods Pro
- How to Change the Name of Your AirPods, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max
- How to Use Just One AirPod or AirPod Pro
- How to Clean Your AirPods or AirPods Pro
- How to Find Your AirPods or AirPods Pro Serial Number and Check Your Firmware
- How to Update Your AirPods or AirPods Pro
- How to Answer a Phone Call on AirPods and AirPods Pro
- How to Wirelessly Charge Your AirPods or AirPods Pro
Must-Know Tutorials
- How to Use the 'Hey Siri' Command With AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro
- How to Turn Off Automatic Ear Detection on Your AirPods
- What Does the Light on the AirPods Case Mean?
- How to Pair AirPods to Your Apple Watch
- How to Unpair Your AirPods From iPhone, Apple TV, Apple Watch, or Mac
- How to Have AirPods Announce Your Calls
Connectivity With iPhone, Apple Watch, and Mac
- How to Switch Devices When Using AirPods
- How to Check AirPods Battery Life on iPhone and Apple Watch
- How to Use AirPods With Your Mac and Customize Controls
Tips and Tricks
- How to Use Just One AirPod
- How to Set AirPods Microphone to Just One AirPod
- How to Share One Pair of AirPods With a Friend
- You Can Tap Your Ear to Activate Your AirPods
- How to Get Siri to Announce Incoming Messages Over AirPods
Troubleshooting
- How to Reset AirPods, AirPods 2, and AirPods Pro
- Lose an AirPod? What You Can Do
- How to Troubleshoot Problems with AirPods
- Only One AirPod Working? Here's How to Fix the Problem
- How Long Do AirPods and AirPods Pro Last?
Just for the AirPods Pro
- How to Control the Noise Cancellation Feature on AirPods Pro
- How to Customize the Force Sensor Gesture Functions on AirPods Pro
- How to Perform an Ear Tip Fit Test on AirPods Pro
- How to Control the Transparency Feature on AirPods Pro
- How to Buy Replacement AirPods Pro Ear Tips
Just for the AirPods Max
- How to Set Up and Connect Your New AirPods Max
- How to Customize the Noise Control Button on AirPods Max
- How to Disable Automatic Head Detection on AirPods Max
- How to Reverse the Digital Crown Volume Controls on AirPods Max
- How to Turn Off AirPods Max
AirPods Guides
- AirPods: Our Complete Guide to Apple's Wireless Earphones
- Powerbeats Pro vs. AirPods 2
- AirPods vs. AirPods Pro: Features Compared
- AirPods Pro vs Powerbeats Pro
Videos
More Info
Know a super useful iPhone tip that other MacRumors readers might not be aware of? Make sure to share it in the comments below.
For more info on Apple's latest iPhones, and the iOS 14 operating system, make sure to check out our detailed roundups: AirPods 2, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max.
Related Forum: AirPods
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Top Rated Comments
82 months ago
Come on people, aren't things getting a bit out of hand when earphones have such complexity? Oh for the good old days when all you had to do to hear music was plug earphones into a jack.
82 months ago
Well, this isn’t on Apple really. It’s just Macrumors making article bait as they expect a lot of new AirPod-owners because of the season. It is really not a hassle for most users (bar if you’re unlucky, get a dud and actually have to troubleshoot something). You open the package, the phone/pad offers to automatically pair them to your account, and you’re set.
Come on people, aren't things getting a bit out of hand when earphones have such complexity? Oh for the good old days when all you had to do to hear music was plug earphones into a jack.
82 months ago
AirPods are literally easier to use than corded headphones because you don’t have to spend any time untangling wires and staying tethered to your device.
Come on people, aren't things getting a bit out of hand when earphones have such complexity? Oh for the good old days when all you had to do to hear music was plug earphones into a jack.
“The good old days” are never actually that good in comparison. It’s only people living in the past who say that.
82 months ago
Seriously, what complexity?
Call me old fashioned, but that one advantage does not outweigh all the complexity involved with using these devices. And wireless headphones have existed for a long time and don't involve all the complexity that EarPods have.
How are EarPods complex? AirPods aren't complex either...the opposite actually.
81 months ago
No I don’t notice that at all with the sonys.
It seems I’m picky too, as I'm annoyed by the hiss on the AirPods Pro. Tell me, do you Sonys hiss at all when noise cancelling is turned on? I’m still toying with getting a refund on my APPs...
81 months ago
I really don't understand the difficulties people are having. The experience is easy and seamless. o_O
I don’t actively update firmware, so that’s out...if it does update, it updates automatically. Not complicated.
Recharging? What is absurd or difficult about it? The fact it’s another step?
Learning gestures? I mean, I have no words if that is complex or too much to handle. There are no gestures on EarPods, so is that a positive? You don’t have to use them on AirPods. It’s another option. If you don’t want to learn simple gestures, control your music from the device like you do with wired headphones.
No wires, noise cancellation, complete portability, on device controls, are all new benefits that more than outweigh the dumb headphones that jut play music.
Literally the only drawback is you have to recharge them, but the case holds so much charge it’s like a once per week task, if that.
Complexity isn’t the argument. This isn‘t complex or absurd. You get several tangible benefits in a simple to use package And is why wearables are growing like crazy. It’s better.
