How to customize AirPods Pro 2 touch controls

The AirPods Pro 2 are the latest addition to Apple’s impressive lineup of true wireless earbuds and headphones. And with upgraded amplifiers and drivers for better sound, enhanced active noise-cancellation features, and the addition of some bud-based volume controls, the AirPods Pro 2 are Apple’s best buddies – read our full review for proof of that.

For years, AirPods have been controlled by a tap or long press on the outside of each bud (on models like the AirPods 2) or by tapping or squeezing the AirPod sticks (for the first and Second generation AirPods Pro). But did you know that you can actually customize how these taps and presses work?

If you own a set of AirPods Pro 2, we’ve put together this guide to teach you how to personalize the various touch controls on your AirPods Pro. Many of these customizations also apply to the original AirPods Pro, so read on if it’s you instead.

How to customize long press commands

From the factory, both AirPods are configured for the same long-press commands: noise canceling control. By default, every AirPod toggles between active noise-cancellation (ANC), transparency mode, and off (no noise-cancellation at all) by pressing and holding the stem for just a moment or two.

But what if you want one of the AirPods to do something different with a long press? Good there is an alternative, and her name is Siri. Here’s how to map voice assistant to a long press and further customize your noise-cancelling controls.

Step 1: If your iPhone is running iOS 16, accessing your AirPods Pro 2 dashboard is a very simple process. To get started, all you have to do is wear your AirPods or place them in the MagSafe charging case with the case open.

This will ensure that your AirPods are actually connected to your iPhone.

Step 2: Grab your iPhone and open the settings apartment Then select the AirPods Pro dashboard tab.

The tab is just below your Apple ID information at the top of the screen. If your AirPods don’t show up, they might be disconnected from your iPhone.

You can also access your AirPods Pro dashboard by opening it settingstap Bluetoothand press the More info Icon (a blue emblem with the letter “i” in the middle).

Step 3: On the AirPods Pro dashboard, you should see a category called Press and hold AirPods. By default, both left and right AirPods are set noise level control.

To change either or both of these bud commands, tap either the left or right AirPod tab. For this example, let’s start with the left AirPod.

Step 4: At the top of the next page, you can choose whether you want a long press on the left AirPod to activate your noise control settings or activate Siri.

By default, there should also be a Noise Control menu under the Noise Control/Siri options. If you change the long press of the left AirPod to Siri, this submenu will disappear.

Step 5: After making your changes, you can either tap The back button to return to the AirPods Pro dashboard, or you can close the whole settings App by swiping up from the bottom left corner of the screen and then swiping over settings App up and away.

But wait! We have another long press tip for you.

Step 6: Did you know that you can customize the different noise-cancelling settings your AirPods cycle through? To do this, let’s first select the correct AirPod from the dashboard.

Step 7: On the next screen, make sure the correct AirPod is set noise level control.

You should then see a Noise Control submenu under Noise Control/Siri. By default, your AirPods should have this noise cancellation and transparency checked, with Out of as a third untested option.

You can customize exactly which Noise Control modes your right long press toggles between by toggling on/off any of these three options. You must have at least two modes activated, but you can also activate all three.

Step 8: Once you’ve adjusted your Noise Control settings, go ahead and close the settings app, and if you’re not already wearing them, put your AirPods in your ears and long-press each stem to make sure your adjustments are done correctly.

How to set the print speed/duration of press and hold

The main way you control yours AirPods Pro 2 (and first-gen AirPods Pro) has single, double, and triple taps on the bud stems to do things like play/pause music, answer and end phone calls, and skip forward and backward while listening to music. And as mentioned, you can also use long press commands to toggle between Noise Control modes and/or Siri.

From the factory, both Press Speed ​​and Press and Hold Duration are set defaultbut you can easily adjust the speed and duration of both your regular Stem Taps and your long press.

Step 1: Go to the AirPods Pro dashboard, scroll down and select Accessibility.

Step 2: Under the Press speed You can change the submenu default Setting to either Slower or The slowest. If you find you want a little extra time to tap your stems, you can choose one of these settings, put in your AirPods, and try out the new speed.

Step 3: To customize the duration of the long press, choose either one shorter or shortest of the Press and hold Submenu (located just below the Press speed Blackboard).

How to adjust the sound volume of your AirPods Pro

When you single, double, or triple tap your stems, or trigger a long press for noise cancellation or Siri, your AirPods will emit a series of different clicks (for taps) and tones (for long presses) to let you know that the AirPods are successfully completing your various commands carry out.

And like all AirPods Pro customizable settings, you can adjust how quiet or loud those sounds are.

Step 1: On the AirPods Pro dashboard, scroll down and select Accessibility. Then scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page until you see a sound volume Attitude.

Step 2: Drag the slider with the volume bar left or right to either decrease or increase the volume for the sounds on your AirPods. Once you’ve adjusted as much as you like, tap or long-press the AirPods to see if you like the new volume.

How to adjust the volume control speed

While most of these customizations actually apply to both AirPods Pro generations, this next one is only available for the AirPods Pro 2 as the original model doesn’t have an option to increase/decrease the volume of the buds themselves.

To avoid accidental volume adjustments with AirPods Pro 2, you can customize how long to wait between volume movements.

Step 1: Open the AirPods Pro dashboard, then select Accessibility.

Step 2: Scroll to the bottom of the page to find it volume control Blackboard. you can choose between default, Longerand The longest.

As with all of the other customizations we’ve covered, choose one of these settings and test them out.

How to adjust additional AirPods Pro audio settings

Aside from tap, long press, and volume control adjustments, you can also customize some additional AirPods Pro audio settings, including background noise, Phone Noise Cancellation, Headphone Notificationsand more.

To do this, open the AirPods Pro dashboard and select Accessibilitythen scroll down and select Audio accessibility settings. You will then be taken to the Audio/Visual page where you can make further adjustments to your AirPods Pro listening experience.

For more fun and helpful things you can do, check out our post on AirPods Pro 2 tips and tricks you should know.

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