Master AirPods Controls and Gestures: All Models

There is no better alternative to AirPods if you are investing in the Apple ecosystem as you can easily switch between multiple devices. When you take your AirPods out of their case, they automatically connect to the nearest Apple device. Luckily, the controls are also consistent and help improve the experience.

Now, if you’ve just unboxed a new pair of AirPods or are upgrading to a newer generation, you’ll need to learn what actions the gestures perform. This article will look at the default gestures and their subsequent actions on all AirPods available for purchase.

• AirPods controls – 1st and 2nd generation
• Control your sound with AirPods Pro 1st and 2nd generation. and AirPods 3rd generation.
• Controlling AirPods Max

AirPods controls – 1st and 2nd generation

The first and second generation AirPods are not much different. The W1 chip in the first generation of AirPods is to be commended for its hassle-free experience. The main upgrade of the second generation AirPods is the H1 chip. Physically, however, both of these products are identical and contain the same hardware gestures.

double tap

Because you can set different actions for each AirPod individually, you get more control over your AirPods. Double tap is the only touch gesture supported on original AirPods and second generation.

Here are all the features you can double-tap on first and second generation AirPods.

• Play or pause media
• Skip to next track
• Repeat previous track
• Activate Siri

Control your sound with AirPods Pro 1st and 2nd generation. and AirPods 3rd generation.

In terms of appearance, the third generation of AirPods resembles the first and second generation AirPods Pro.

In fact, at first glance, the only physical factor that separates the Pro earphones from the 3rd generation is the silicone earbud. (Same in-ear design as AirPods Pro provides active noise cancellation)

While there are other internal hardware changes, the products on the outside have an indistinguishable foot that houses a force sensor or touch controls (AirPods Pro 2).

These sensors include pressing, squeezing, or touch functions. And that’s all you can do with it.

Single press/squeeze

• Play or pause media or answer a call

double tap

• Skip to next track

triple press

• Repeat previous track

Press and hold the rod

• For 3rd generation AirPods: Press and hold the stem (force sensor) to activate Siri.
• For AirPods Pro 1st and 2nd generation – here you can perform more than one action, press and hold the force sensor (1st generation) and touch control (2nd generation),
  • Activate Siri
  • Switch between active noise cancellation, transparency mode, or turn it off

Increase or decrease the volume with touch controls on AirPods Pro 2.

Released in September 2022, the second generation of AirPods Pro is the most recent addition to Apple’s AirPods lineup. There are several differences between them.

However, what matters to us in this article is the touch controls added to the stem of the second generation AirPods Pro. Here’s what these touch controls offer,

1. Swipe up: to increase the volume
2. Swipe down: to decrease the volume

Yes, the touch controls allow you to adjust the volume. This feature is available on several other TWS, and I’m glad that Apple has finally implemented it on AirPods. This will help improve the phone-free experience provided by AirPods.

Controlling AirPods Max

AirPods Max are the best AirPods from Apple. Exceptional active noise cancellation, transparency, and more are some of the features AirPods Max are applauded for.

They feature an Apple Watch-like digital crown and a dedicated noise control button. Read on to find out what these buttons do.

Press the digital crown once

• Play or pause media
• Answer calls
• Answering a second incoming call When you are on a call and receive another higher priority call, the active call will be put on hold.

Double tap the Digital Crown

• Skip to next track
• Reject an incoming call
• Switch between two active calls
• Send a Call to Your iPhone This is very useful when you may need to take off your AirPods Max and continue the call on your iPhone.

Triple tap on the digital crown

• Repeat previous track

Press and hold the Digital Crown

• Reject second incoming call
• Activate Siri. You will hear a beep, indicating that you can start a conversation with Siri.

Rotate the digital crown

The Digital Crown on Apple Watch rotates; Although its main function is navigation, it can also,

• Adjust the volume

Press the noise control button

• Switch between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode

Finally you know everything!

These are all the gesture controls available in the AirPods lineup. Again, you can tweak these settings to your liking. To do this, refer to our article on how to change AirPods settings on iPhone or iPad.

If you have any other questions regarding gesture control, or would like to point out any gestures we may have missed, please leave them in the comments below.