9 vital AirPods tips for beginners

If you're looking to buy wireless AirPods, now is the best time to do so. With numerous lines and a wide range of prices, it's easier than ever to find the right model.

In addition, according to SSPDaily, AirPods charging has already switched to USB-C, which makes them even more attractive. As for Apple's headphone control system, it is as simplified as possible. Still, newcomers who pick up AirPods for the first time may have difficulties and questions about their functionality.

Don't worry, here are 9 tips and tricks to help you figure it all out.

Customize the touch controls

All of the latest AirPods are equipped with controls that allow you to activate modes by pressing the earbuds while they are in your ears. The most common example is pressing to activate Siri (otherwise, she'll be listening to you all the time and draining your battery).

Touch controls work differently on different types of AirPods and AirPods Pro, but Apple has optimized the experience so that it is almost identical in the latest AirPods Pro and AirPods 3 models. When you wear AirPods, you can go to Settings on your Apple device (e.g., iPhone) and select them at the top of the menu to open the settings.

There are a lot of changes you can make here, but first of all, you need to pay attention to the Press and Hold section for AirPods Pro. This shows the different commands that can be activated.

The options for AirPods 3 are more limited, but you still have the Call Control feature that you can customize and the Microphone option that allows you to adjust the pressure on your AirPods. Play around to learn the controls and find what works for you.

If you have difficulty clicking, don't forget to go to the accessibility settings if your AirPods have them. Here you can adjust the long press speed and other important features.

Make sure Find My network is turned on

The AirPod settings don't just allow you to customize the controls. Another section you should visit (especially if you're not sure if it's working) is Find My network. It must be enabled.

When you first enable Find My, you'll probably have to sign in to your Apple account and answer a few questions. After that, you can use the app to locate your AirPods.

This step is especially important because no other Apple device is as easy to lose as these little earbuds. Find My allows you to locate your AirPods and their cases, including a map of the last detected location. If they have enough battery power left, they can beep to help you find them.

Open the case to check battery life

Open the case to check the battery life

Bring AirPods to the Apple device they are already synced with and flip open the charging case to activate them. A window will appear on the screen showing the battery life of the charging case and each of the earbuds.

Use this trick to quickly check if the case needs to be recharged or if one of the earbuds is not responding due to lack of power. Sometimes one of the earbuds won't charge if its place in the case is dirty or not aligned correctly. A quick check like this will help identify these issues, and you'll know what to do next.

Work on spatial sound

In the latest generation of AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro, the headphones support Spatial Audio. It's an Apple term that refers to the use of additional audio data in music or movie files delivered with Dolby Atmos to give the sound more ambience, depth, and even the feeling that it's coming from a certain direction, depending on how you move your head.

But there's a catch: if you want to get accurate results, you need to personalize Spatial Audio. In the Settings section, you can select Personalized Spatial Audio and then start the process.

You'll need an iPhone to take pictures of your ears, and it's best to do it with the help of another person to get it right. However, after Apple completes the process, the spatial audio will be more accurate and less "hollow" in sound quality, which is important for frequent users.

Note: You will need the latest generation iPhone and iOS 16 to perform this trick.

Use AirPods with your Android devices

You can use AirPods with your Android phone, but you'll have to accept some built-in limitations. First, you need to synchronize your AirPods the old-fashioned way: Find the small button on the back and hold it down until the white light flashes. This will turn on Bluetooth sync mode, and you'll be able to browse your Android's Bluetooth list and find your AirPods. Once synchronized, the phone will recognize them, but a second operation may be required after the update system.

Keep in mind that the basic AirPods sound works fine on an Android device and almost all other Bluetooth devices (this also includes devices like the Switch or a smart speaker). But Apple features won't work on anything other than Apple devices.

Connect to wireless charging

Most AirPod cases are compatible with wireless charging. Apple added this support after the release of the AirPods Gen 1, so all AirPods from the last few years should be compatible.

Find a Qi-enabled charging pad and place your charging case on it. You may have to give it a little push to get the charging indicator to turn on, but with proper placement, charging is guaranteed.

Turn off automatic ear detection

Automatic ear detection allows AirPods to detect whether you have the earbuds in your ears or have taken them out (or they have fallen out). So they can play/pause whatever you're listening to. However, this method of detection is not for everyone. If you have a habit of taking out the headphones often, but you don't want the sound to stop, it's better to disable this feature.

To do this: go to Apple's Settings, activate AirPods, and select them to go to their menu. Scroll down the page and find the "Automatic Ear Detection" section. There is a main toggle switch to disable this feature.

Choose what Siri notifies you about

When Siri is in your ear, it can pause your music and tell you important news. This may seem a little annoying, but when set up correctly, it's a great feature. Go to Apple Preferences, Notifications, and Announce Notifications to select the apps you want Siri to notify you from. You can also find the same Notifications menu in the Siri & Search menu, if you prefer.

Feel free to turn off all notifications except those you really want to receive. There are a lot of options here, so customize them as you use your AirPods to see what works for you.

Remember to clean the charging case periodically

Over time, dirt can accumulate in the charger case, which interferes with the charging process. Therefore, every few months, take a cotton swab and wipe the inside thoroughly to remove dirt.

More stubborn internal stains can be cleaned with alcohol. If you use water or any cleaning agents, leave the case open for several hours to allow it to dry thoroughly.