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How to Change Songs on AirPods Pro: A Pro’s Guide

Changing songs on your AirPods Pro is a breeze once you know the secret sauce. The primary method revolves around leveraging the force sensor located on the stem of each AirPod. Simply squeeze the stem to control your music. A single squeeze will pause or play. A double squeeze skips forward to the next song, while a triple squeeze takes you back to the previous track. Mastering this simple technique is the key to hands-free music control!

Mastering Music Control on Your AirPods Pro

The beauty of AirPods Pro lies in their seamless integration with your Apple ecosystem. Beyond just listening, they offer intuitive controls that put you in command of your audio experience. Let’s dive deep into how to wield that power.

Understanding the Force Sensor

The force sensor is the unsung hero of the AirPods Pro. It’s not a touch-sensitive surface like you might find on a smartphone screen. Instead, it registers physical pressure. This means you need to actually squeeze the stem, not just tap it. This deliberate action minimizes accidental presses, preventing unwanted pauses or song skips during a workout or commute.

Default Music Control Gestures

As we’ve touched on, the default controls are elegantly simple:

Single squeeze: Pause/Play
Double squeeze: Skip to the next song
Triple squeeze: Return to the previous song

These are the bread and butter of AirPods Pro music control. Practice these until they become second nature. You’ll be surprised how quickly you adapt.

Customizing Your Controls

Here’s where things get interesting. Apple allows you to customize the force sensor controls to suit your preferences. You can’t completely redefine the gestures, but you can change what they do for each ear individually concerning Siri activation.

To customize:

Connect your AirPods Pro to your iPhone or iPad.
Go to Settings > Bluetooth.
Find your AirPods Pro in the list of devices.
Tap the “i” icon next to your AirPods Pro name.
Under “Press and Hold AirPods”, you can choose what happens when you press and hold the left or right AirPod stem. Options include Siri or Noise Control (Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, or Off).

While you can’t directly change the double or triple squeeze functions for music control (they’re locked to skipping forward and backward), redirecting long press functionality to Siri can unlock additional voice-controlled options for managing your music.

Utilizing Siri for Advanced Control

Speaking of Siri, she’s your virtual DJ. With Siri enabled, you can use voice commands to control your music in ways the force sensor can’t. Try these commands:

“Hey Siri, skip this song.”
“Hey Siri, play the next song.”
“Hey Siri, play [song title].”
“Hey Siri, play [artist].”
“Hey Siri, turn up the volume.”
“Hey Siri, lower the volume.”

Siri provides granular control, allowing you to select specific songs, albums, or playlists, and even adjust the volume without touching your AirPods or iPhone.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. If your AirPods Pro aren’t responding to your squeezes, here are some common culprits and solutions:

AirPods are not properly connected: Make sure your AirPods are connected to your device via Bluetooth.
Force sensor is dirty: Clean the stem of your AirPods Pro with a soft, dry cloth. Dirt and grime can interfere with the sensor’s ability to detect pressure.
Software glitch: Restart your iPhone or iPad. This often resolves minor software glitches that can affect AirPods Pro functionality.
Low battery: Make sure your AirPods Pro have enough battery charge. Low battery can sometimes cause erratic behavior.
Outdated firmware: Ensure your AirPods Pro have the latest firmware. Updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements. Your AirPods typically update automatically when connected to your iPhone or iPad. To check, go to Settings > General > About > AirPods.

Beyond the Basics: Tips and Tricks

Customize for Comfort: Experiment with different ear tip sizes to find the perfect fit. A snug fit not only improves sound quality but also ensures that the force sensor is positioned correctly for accurate control.
Practice Makes Perfect: The force sensor requires a bit of practice to master. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get it right away. Keep practicing, and you’ll soon be controlling your music like a pro.
Stay Updated: Keep your iPhone or iPad and AirPods Pro software updated. Apple regularly releases updates that improve performance and add new features.

Mastering these techniques unlocks the full potential of your AirPods Pro, transforming them from simple earbuds into a powerful and convenient music control system. Enjoy your hands-free listening experience!

AirPods Pro: Frequently Asked Questions

Here are 12 frequently asked questions (FAQs) to further enhance your understanding of managing music playback on your AirPods Pro:

1. Can I control the volume directly on my AirPods Pro?

No, the default force sensor controls on the AirPods Pro do not include volume control. You’ll need to either use Siri (“Hey Siri, turn up the volume”) or adjust the volume directly on your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or other connected device.

2. Can I customize the double or triple squeeze gestures for something other than skipping tracks?

Unfortunately, no. Apple does not allow you to reassign the double or triple squeeze gestures to any other functions besides skipping forward and backward, respectively. The only customization option pertains to the long press and hold function.

3. How do I activate Siri on my AirPods Pro?

You can activate Siri by either saying “Hey Siri” (if you have “Hey Siri” enabled on your iPhone) or by pressing and holding the force sensor on one of your AirPods Pro stems, provided you have configured one of the AirPods to trigger Siri within the Bluetooth settings.

4. Why aren’t my AirPods Pro responding to the force sensor?

Several factors can contribute to this. First, ensure your AirPods are properly connected to your device. Next, clean the stem of the AirPods with a soft, dry cloth. A low battery or a software glitch can also cause issues. Finally, check that your AirPods Pro are running the latest firmware.

5. Can I use my AirPods Pro to control music on non-Apple devices, like an Android phone?

Yes, you can connect your AirPods Pro to Android devices via Bluetooth, and the single squeeze (pause/play), double squeeze (skip forward), and triple squeeze (skip backward) gestures will generally work. However, Siri integration and some advanced features may not be available.

6. Is there a way to lock the controls on my AirPods Pro to prevent accidental presses?

Unfortunately, there is no built-in feature to lock the controls on AirPods Pro. The best way to avoid accidental presses is to be mindful of how you’re handling them.

7. My AirPods Pro are skipping songs randomly. What could be the problem?

This could be due to a loose connection, a software glitch, or interference from other Bluetooth devices. Try disconnecting and reconnecting your AirPods, restarting your device, and moving away from potential sources of interference.

8. Can I use only one AirPod Pro and still control music playback?

Yes, you can use either the left or right AirPod Pro independently and still control music playback using the force sensor.

9. How do I update the firmware on my AirPods Pro?

AirPods Pro firmware updates typically happen automatically when the AirPods are connected to your iPhone or iPad, are charging, and are within Bluetooth range. You can check your firmware version in Settings > General > About > AirPods. There is no manual way to force an update, but ensuring you meet the above conditions increases the likelihood of an update occurring.

10. Can I use the force sensor to answer phone calls?

Yes. A single squeeze will answer an incoming call, and another single squeeze will end the call. A double squeeze will reject the call.

11. Does the case of the AirPods Pro have any controls for music playback?

No. The AirPods Pro charging case does not have any buttons or controls for managing music playback. All controls are located on the AirPods Pro themselves.

12. Are there any third-party apps that can enhance the control options for AirPods Pro?

While there aren’t many apps specifically designed to enhance force sensor control, some apps offer custom EQ settings and other audio enhancements that can improve your overall listening experience with AirPods Pro. Explore the App Store for audio customization apps that suit your needs.