Apple AirPods Pro 2: Exploring Lesser-Known Features
Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 are still considered some of the best wireless earbuds on the market. With the introduction of new features in iOS 17, such as Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, and Personalized Volume, these earbuds have continued to impress users even a year and a half after their initial release. The upcoming Apple Worldwide Developers Conference on June 10 may bring even more exciting features for the AirPods Pro 2.
Hidden Control Center options
The Control Center provides quick access to various AirPods settings. By pressing and holding the volume slider on your iPhone, additional options like noise control mode, conversational awareness, and spatial audio toggles can be accessed. To further customize the Control Center, you can add the Hearing option through your iPhone’s Settings > Control Center. Then, go to Settings > Accessibility > Hearing Control Center and enable options like Background Sounds and Live Listen. This allows you to control these settings directly from the Control Center.
Live Listen
Live Listen allows you to amplify sounds picked up by your iPhone’s microphone and stream them directly to your AirPods, regardless of the AirPods model you have. Though primarily designed as an accessibility feature, Live Listen can be used for activities like creating an audio-only baby monitor or enhancing your hearing. To enable Live Listen, access the Hearing tab in the Control Center, and then select Live Listen.
Customize audio with Headphone Accommodations
If you want to personalize the audio on your AirPods, head over to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual > Headphone Accommodations. In this menu, you can adjust the equalizer settings for Apple Music and other streaming apps to create a sound profile you prefer. Additionally, you can further fine-tune audio by choosing from options like balanced tone, vocals, brightness, or boosting soft sounds using the slider tool.
Personalized spatial audio
Utilizing your iPhone’s TrueDepth camera, you can optimize spatial audio based on the shape of your ears. To access this feature, go to Settings > AirPods > Personalized Spatial Audio and follow the on-screen instructions. By mapping your ears as you turn your head, your AirPods will deliver a personalized and immersive audio experience. Make sure to turn on spatial audio from the Control Center and try it out with supported movies and music.
Share audio with a friend
Sharing audio with a friend has never been easier. Open the Control Center, tap the AirPods icon located in the top right corner of the music playback section, and select Share Audio. To connect another pair of AirPods or Beats, simply open the case and press and hold the pairing button. Follow the on-screen prompts to connect the second pair of earbuds to your phone, and you and your friend can enjoy the same audio simultaneously.
Siri can describe pictures received in Messages
With AirPods Pro 2 and your phone locked, Siri can now describe photos received in the Messages app. This feature is particularly useful when you’re on the go and want to know what images your friends or family have sent you. To enable this feature, access Settings > Notifications > Announce Notifications, and ensure the Headphones option is turned on. You can then test this feature by having a friend send you a photo via SMS or iMessage and see if Siri accurately describes it.
Unlock more AirPods settings with the Shortcuts app
The Shortcuts app opens up a world of possibilities for enhancing your AirPods experience. One useful Shortcuts feature is the automatic adjustment of settings every time your AirPods connect to your iPhone. For example, you can configure your AirPods to automatically activate noise-canceling mode at 40% volume. Create this Shortcut by opening the Shortcuts app, adding actions to set the desired noise control mode and volume, and saving it. For even greater convenience, you can set up the Shortcut to run automatically each time your AirPods connect to your iPhone by utilizing the Automations tab and Bluetooth settings.
These are just a fraction of the incredible AirPods Pro 2 features you can explore today. From hidden Control Center options to Siri-assisted photo descriptions, Apple continues to deliver an exceptional user experience. Stay tuned for more updates and information about AirPods Pro 2, their differences from AirPods 3, and upcoming iOS 18 features at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June.
