In the meantime, there are a bunch of lesser-known AirPods Pro 2 features you can try right now. I’ve been using the AirPods Pro 2 since launch, both the original model and the “new” version with USB-C charging that arrived alongside the iPhone 15.
The best part? Some of these tips will work with earlier versions of AirPods and even AirPods Max headphones. Just make sure you’ve updated to the latest version of iOS 17.
Watch this: Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
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Customize audio with Headphone Accommodations
Want to change the default sound profile on your AirPods? If you use Apple Music, you can start by adjusting the equalizer by going to Settings > Music > EQ. Other streaming apps like Spotify have their own equalizer tool you can customize to your liking.
Apple’s Headphone Accommodations options also let you tune your audio even more. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual > Headphone Accommodations. Now, you can choose between balanced tone, vocals or brightness, or boost soft sounds using the slider tool.
Connecting another pair of AirPods Pro 2 to an iPhone to share audio.
Screenshot by Lexy Savvides/CNET
Siri can describe pictures received in Messages
I’ve recently discovered Siri can describe photos received in the Messages app when I’m wearing AirPods Pro 2 and my phone is locked. For example, I was waiting for a bus one day, and Siri announced that my best friend sent a photo of a brown dog lying on a black and white checkered floor. I pulled out my phone to check, and Siri was spot on.
I haven’t found the magic trick that makes Siri do this with every single photo, but so far it’s worked on images of people and pets that are centered in the frame with a clear background. I’ve reached out to Apple for more information on this feature and will update this story with more detail.
To try to replicate this yourself, make sure “announce notifications” is turned on by going to Settings > Notifications > Announce Notifications, and that the Headphones option is also turned on. Scroll down further on this page to make sure the Messages app is turned on. Now, just get a friend to send you a photo — SMS and iMessages have both worked for me — to see if it works!
Unlock more AirPods settings with the Shortcuts app
The Shortcuts app on iPhone is a powerful tool for getting even more out of your AirPods. One of my favorite Shortcuts is having the AirPods automatically switch to my favorite settings every time they connect to my iPhone: noise canceling mode at 40% volume.
First, make sure your AirPods are in your ears and connected to your iPhone. Open the Shortcuts app > Plus icon > Add action. Here you’ll want to search for “set noise control mode” then tap the gray box that says “route.” Select the name of your AirPods from this menu, then choose your mode (in this example, that’s noise canceling.)
Next, you’ll want to add another action. In the “Search for apps and actions” bar, type “Set volume” and select it. Now, change the volume to 40% (or whatever volume you want). Give your Shortcut a snappy name, and tap Done.
