How to Tap AirPods: Unleashing the Power of Your Wireless Earbuds

So, you’ve got a pair of AirPods and you’re ready to join the wireless revolution. Fantastic! But beyond the effortless pairing and crystal-clear audio lies a world of hidden functionality activated by – you guessed it – tapping. But how exactly do you tap your AirPods to unlock these features? The answer, while simple in principle, has nuance depending on your AirPods model and preferred settings. You tap them on the outer surface of the AirPod, near the top of the stem, or on the force sensor of the AirPod.

The standard actions are simple – double-tap or triple-tap on either AirPod. What those taps do, however, is entirely customizable. So let’s dive into the specifics, explore those customizations, and answer some frequently asked questions to make you an AirPod tapping master!

Understanding AirPod Tapping: The Basics

The key to mastering AirPod tapping lies in understanding that the action is triggered by a physical tap on the AirPod itself. This is different from earlier Bluetooth headphones that relied on physical buttons. With AirPods, the touch-sensitive area detects your tap, and the AirPod translates that into a specific command.

Where to Tap:

• AirPods (1st & 2nd Generation): Tap the upper portion of the outer surface of either AirPod. It’s not a specific button, but rather a zone sensitive to touch.
• AirPods (3rd Generation) & AirPods Pro/Max: These models use a force sensor located on the stem. Squeeze the stem to trigger actions. This simulates a tap, but feels different.

What Actions Can Be Triggered?

By default, tapping your AirPods allows you to control your audio playback, answer and end calls, and activate Siri. Specifically:

• Play/Pause: A single squeeze on AirPods 3 or AirPod Pro, and Double-tap on AirPods Gen 1 and 2.
• Skip to the Next Track: Squeeze Twice on AirPods 3 and AirPod Pro, and Double-tap on AirPods Gen 1 and 2.
• Go Back to the Previous Track: Squeeze Three times on AirPods 3 and AirPod Pro, and Double-tap on AirPods Gen 1 and 2.
• Answer/End a Call: Squeeze Once on AirPods 3 and AirPod Pro, and Double-tap on AirPods Gen 1 and 2.
• Activate Siri: This might require customization, as it is not the default action for AirPods Gen 3 and Pro.

Customizing Your AirPod Tapping Actions

The real power of AirPod tapping comes from the ability to customize what each tap does. This is done through the Bluetooth settings on your paired iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

How to Customize AirPod Tapping Actions:

1. Connect your AirPods to your iPhone, iPad or Mac. Make sure they are in your ears.
2. Open the Settings app.
3. Go to Bluetooth.
4. Find your AirPods in the list of connected devices.
5. Tap the “i” icon (or the three dots next to the device).
6. Customize the “Press and hold AirPods” setting: This section allows you to choose what each AirPod does when tapped (or squeezed for AirPods 3 and Pro). You can set different actions for the left and right AirPod.

Available Customization Options:

• Siri: Activate Apple’s voice assistant.
• Play/Pause: Start or stop audio playback.
• Next Track: Skip to the next song or audio file.
• Previous Track: Return to the previous song or audio file.
• Off: Disable tapping functionality for that AirPod.
• Noise Control: Cycle through Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, or Off.

Example Customization:

You could set the left AirPod to activate Siri with a double-tap, while the right AirPod controls play/pause. This allows you to access both functions quickly and easily without having to pull out your phone.

Troubleshooting AirPod Tapping Issues

Sometimes, your AirPods might not respond to your taps as expected. Here are some common troubleshooting steps:

• Ensure your AirPods are properly connected: Disconnect and reconnect them to your device.
• Clean your AirPods: Dirt or debris can interfere with the touch sensors. Use a soft, dry cloth.
• Check your settings: Double-check that your desired actions are assigned to the taps in the Bluetooth settings.
• Restart your device: A simple restart can often resolve software glitches.
• Update your device’s software: Make sure your iPhone, iPad, or Mac is running the latest version of its operating system.
• Reset your AirPods: As a last resort, you can reset your AirPods to their factory settings. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the charging case until the status light flashes amber, then white.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 12 frequently asked questions to provide additional valuable information for our readers.

FAQ 1: Why aren’t my AirPods responding to taps?

Several factors could be at play. First, ensure they are properly connected and charged. Low battery can sometimes affect touch sensitivity. Second, clean the surface of your AirPods as dirt or earwax can interfere. Finally, verify your custom tap settings in the Bluetooth menu to ensure actions are correctly assigned. If all else fails, try resetting your AirPods.

FAQ 2: Can I customize tap actions for both the left and right AirPod separately?

Absolutely! This is one of the great features of AirPods. In the Bluetooth settings for your AirPods, you can configure different actions for each earbud, allowing for a personalized control scheme.

FAQ 3: How do I know if I’m tapping my AirPod correctly?

With AirPods 1st and 2nd generation, you want to tap the outer surface of the AirPod. With AirPods 3rd generation and Pro, you want to squeeze the stem. A successful tap will trigger the assigned action – playing/pausing music, activating Siri, etc. If nothing happens, try tapping a slightly different area or applying more pressure (though not excessively).

FAQ 4: What’s the difference between single, double, and triple taps?

The number of taps can be assigned to different actions, but is limited to double tap and triple tap. This allows for additional control options without requiring physical buttons. But on Airpods 3rd Generation and Pro the force sensors responds to single, double, and triple squeezes.

FAQ 5: Can I control volume using AirPod taps?

Unfortunately, native volume control via tapping isn’t directly supported by AirPods. You’ll need to use Siri (“Hey Siri, turn up the volume”), adjust the volume on your connected device, or use the volume controls on AirPods Max, if you have them.

FAQ 6: Does the tapping functionality work with all devices?

AirPod tapping functionality primarily works with Apple devices (iPhones, iPads, Macs). While you can connect AirPods to Android devices, customization options and full functionality might be limited.

FAQ 7: Can I use AirPod taps underwater?

AirPods are not designed for underwater use, and their water resistance is limited to sweat and light splashes. Tapping underwater won’t work reliably and could potentially damage the device.

FAQ 8: How do I turn off tap controls completely?

If you find yourself accidentally triggering actions, you can disable tap functionality by going to the Bluetooth settings for your AirPods and setting the tap action for each AirPod to “Off.”

FAQ 9: Why is my Siri activation inconsistent when tapping my AirPods?

Inconsistent Siri activation can stem from several sources. Ensure your AirPods are properly connected and charged. A weak Bluetooth connection or low battery can affect Siri’s responsiveness. Also, make sure you’re tapping the correct area of the AirPod.

FAQ 10: Can I change the sensitivity of the AirPod taps?

Unfortunately, Apple does not offer a setting to directly adjust the sensitivity of the AirPod taps. However, ensuring your AirPods are clean and dry can help improve their responsiveness.

FAQ 11: My AirPod taps work sometimes, but not other times. What’s going on?

This intermittent behavior can be frustrating! It’s often linked to connectivity issues, low battery, or interference. Try moving closer to your connected device, restarting your device, and ensuring your AirPods are fully charged.

FAQ 12: What do I do if resetting my AirPods doesn’t fix the tapping issues?

If resetting doesn’t resolve the problem, it’s possible there’s a hardware issue with your AirPods. In this case, contacting Apple Support or visiting an Apple Store for assistance is recommended. They can diagnose the problem and determine if a repair or replacement is necessary.