How to Enable or Disable In-Ear Detection on Apple AirPods Pro 3

Apple AirPods Pro 3 with an iPhone

Welcome to this step-by-step guide on how to manage the In-Ear Detection feature on your new Apple AirPods Pro 3. This feature maximises your listening experience by automatically pausing and resuming your audio based on whether the earbuds are worn. Here's how you can enable or disable this feature on your compatible iPhone device.

Step 1: Connect Your AirPods Pro 3

To begin, make sure your AirPods Pro 3 are connected to your iPhone. Open the lid of the charging case close to your phone, and they should automatically pair if they have been previously set up. You will see a connection notification on your device confirming they are connected successfully.

Connecting AirPods Pro 3 to iPhone

Step 2: Open the Settings App

On your iPhone, navigate to the main "Settings" (settings) app. You can locate the app by looking for its familiar gear-shaped icon, usually found on your home screen or within your app library.

Settings app on iPhone

Step 3: Locate Your AirPods Pro in Settings

Within the "Settings" (settings) menu, you should see your AirPods Pro listed at the top, under your Apple ID and devices. Tap on the AirPods Pro line to access the specific settings available for them.

AirPods settings in iPhone settings

Step 4: Access the Automatic Ear Detection Feature

Scroll down through the AirPods settings page until you find the "Automatic Ear Detection" (automatic ear detection) option. This feature is crucial as it controls whether your music will pause automatically when you remove the earbuds from your ears.

Automatic ear detection setting

Step 5: Enable or Disable In-Ear Detection

To toggle the In-Ear Detection feature, simply tap the slider next to the option. If the slider has an empty background, it means the feature is disabled, and tapping it will enable it, filling the background with colour. Conversely, if the slider has a colourful background, tapping it will disable the feature.

Enable automatic ear detection Disable automatic ear detection

And that's it! You've now learned how to easily customise your AirPods Pro 3 listening experience by managing the In-Ear Detection feature.

Available languages

Table of Contents