How to Use All the New AirPods Pro Features in iOS 17

[MacRumors]

iOS 17 is finally here, and so are new features for second-generation AirPods Pro, such as the particularly impressive Adaptive Audio, the ability mute/unmute yourself when on a phone call, and more.

Keep reading to learn what use cases the new noise control features are designed for, and how you can control them in iOS 17 when your iPhone is connected to AirPods Pro 2 with updated firmware. To skip to a specific feature, hit one of the links below.

• How to Check Your AirPods Pro Firmware
• How to Use Adaptive Audio
• How to Use Conversation Awareness
• How to Use Personalized Volume
• How to Use Mute Controls
• Other AirPods Pro Updates

The new features are available on iPhones running iOS 17 when paired with second-generation AirPods Pro updated with the latest firmware. That includes second-generation AirPods Pro with the new USB-C MagSafe Charging Case, as well as second-generation AirPods Pro with the Lightning MagSafe Charging Case.

Check Your AirPods Pro Firmware

Apple does not offer instructions on how to upgrade AirPods software, but firmware is generally installed over-the-air while the ‌‌AirPods‌‌ are connected to an iOS device. Putting the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ in the case, connecting the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ to a power source, and then pairing the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ to an iOS device or Mac should force the update.

You can check your‌ ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌AirPods Pro‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ firmware by connecting them to your iPhone and following these steps:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap [your name]'s AirPods Pro.
3. Scroll down to the "About" section.
4. Look for the Version number 6A301.

If your AirPods Pro are updated with the correct version number (as of September 2023) you're ready to enjoy the new features in iOS 17.

Adaptive Audio

When the second-generation ‌AirPods Pro‌ were introduced, their Adaptive Transparency feature offered a new way to reduce loud environmental noise for more comfortable everyday listening.

Adaptive Audio, or Adaptive Noise Control, takes that approach to the next level by dynamically blending the existing Transparency and Active Noise Cancellation modes together to deliver the best audio experience in the moment. Adaptive Audio tailors the noise control as you move between different environments and interactions.

This way, loud or distracting noises surrounding, such as the sound of a leaf blower, are automatically reduced, while other noises, like the sudden beep of a car horn, will still be audible.

To enable or disable Adaptive Audio on AirPods Pro, connect them to your iPhone and follow one of these series of steps.
Method 1:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap [your name]'s AirPods Pro.
3. Under "Noise Control," tap Adaptive.

Method 2:

1. Bring up the Control Center from your iPhone by swiping down from the upper right corner of the screen (on an ‌iPhone‌ with a Home button, swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
2. Long press on the AirPods Pro volume slider.
3. Tap the Noise Control button.
4. Select Adaptive.

Button Control

You can also switch to Adaptive Audio with a long button press, but first you need to assign it to your AirPods Pro 2 controls, like so:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap [your name]'s AirPods Pro.
3. Under "Press and Hold AirPods," tap Left or Right.
4. Select Noise Control, then check Adaptive. You can also check Noise Cancellation and/or Transparency to switch between these modes using the same button, or check Off to turn off Noise Control using another long press.

Conversation Awareness

Conversation Awareness is able to detect when someone starts talking to you, and will lower the volume of the audio you're listening to a... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: How to Use All the New AirPods Pro Features in iOS 17

 

[abatabia]

Which feature will keep my AirPods Pro 2 case from draining to nothing once a day now, while Apple support telling me that’s normal behavior. This happened, mind you, with them sitting on my shelf, not being used. Never happened with any previous AirPods I ever owned. Can’t say I’m thrilled with this, or the decline in Apple support.

 

[madmin]

They should add a switch for those who just want to listen to music without Siri listening to everything

 

[wdog119]

I used Conversation Awareness for about 10 minutes before turning it off.

It takes about 4-5 seconds to start the audio back up after it has paused it. If it was quicker maybe it would better but I find it too slow.

 

[CaptainBlue]

It's a bit cynical of Apple to deny these features to the first generation AirPods Pro like mine.

 

[jennyp]

What is this "version 6A301"? The Apple Support page says the latest version is 5E135?

 

[Kirkster]

So far this has been the best reason to upgrade to 17…. Loving the features. Still out on the Adaptive, but the Conversational Awareness is great.

 

[Eurisko2]

I loved the mute feature, but the hang up feature on my Airpod 3's, just doesn't work. I can answer, I can mute, I can unmute. Holding the button down does nothing for some reason. It's on the latest firmware, but for the life of me, I can't hang up on a call now.

 

[The Game 161]

awareness is rather great in the right setting

 

[Shirasaki]

Basically all of those features create unpredictable behavior and negatively affect hearing experience, rather than an easy “on” or “off”. Apple has no way to know what matters the most at any given moment regardless. Trying to outsmart the complexity of the real world is just pointless.

 

[tobybrut]

Does the mute feature work if on a web call, such as Skype or even in a chat such as Discord? It’s not as useful if it’s only for phone calls.

 

[Adamhwi]

Shame they nerfed the Active Cancellation mode. Subjectively, it feels 50% less effective than prior to the update :/

 

[fwmireault]

It's a bit cynical of Apple to deny these features to the first generation AirPods Pro like mine.

They have a different chip, different chips allow different possibilities. It's very possible that the APP1 lacks the appropriate hardware to reliably run those features

 

[fwmireault]

Basically all of those features create unpredictable behavior and negatively affect hearing experience, rather than an easy “on” or “off”. Apple has no way to know what matters the most at any given moment regardless. Trying to outsmart the complexity of the real world is just pointless.

Transparency mode and Active noise cancellation are still an option. If Adaptative audio doesn't work for you, just don't use it. I tried it over the weekend and I quite like it. I'm all for providing options and letting customers making their own choices.

 

[gorkt]

I have tried their method of updating the fireware, unpaired and repaired, and still on 5E135.

 

[AgeOfSpiracles]

What is this "version 6A301"? The Apple Support page says the latest version is 5E135?

You're looking at an old doc, published back in May 2023. Here's the current one:

About firmware updates for AirPods - Apple Support

Learn about changes and features included in the firmware updates for your AirPods.

support.apple.com

 

[applebro]

Which feature will keep my AirPods Pro 2 case from draining to nothing once a day now, while Apple support telling me that’s normal behavior. This happened, mind you, with them sitting on my shelf, not being used. Never happened with any previous AirPods I ever owned. Can’t say I’m thrilled with this, or the decline in Apple support.

Mine does the same thing. It’s ridiculous

 

[abatabia]

Mine does the same thing. It’s ridiculous

Really?? Every day? That’s nuts.

 

[jennyp]

You're looking at an old doc, published back in May 2023. Here's the current one:

About firmware updates for AirPods - Apple Support

Learn about changes and features included in the firmware updates for your AirPods.

support.apple.com

Oh right, I see. So the latest should be 6A301. Well they're still not updating for me. I even unpaired and re-paired the AirPods.

 

[matrix07]

I have tried their method of updating the fireware, unpaired and repaired, and still on 5E135.

I haven’t done anything and my AirPods Pro 2 is already at the new firmware. I’m shocked. 😳

 

[JippaLippa]

I'll be testing adaptive noise control today.I'll see if it'll offer a good compromise between the raw output and the extremely isolated ANC

 

[Bremse]

We have a gal at work who’s name is Siri. She hates Apple. Pretty much any meeting she’s in, random iPhones and Apple Watches will answer when someone isn’t careful when addressing her (don’t say „hey“, just say „Siri“). Im sure she can’t wait for iOS 17 to be installed on everybody’s phones where „hey“ isn’t required anymore.

 

[jennyp]

You're looking at an old doc, published back in May 2023. Here's the current one:

About firmware updates for AirPods - Apple Support

Learn about changes and features included in the firmware updates for your AirPods.

support.apple.com

That link I had, by the way, was from iPhone (iOS 17): Settings > Bluetooth > My Devices > [my AirPods] > [info] > Version > "Firmware details available at support.apple.com". Foolishly trusting Apple's advice there..

 

[Ho Tai]

Here's the description of Conversation Awareness from Settings:

This matches what I have read about someone's experience.

Here's what the article says: "Conversation Awareness is able to detect when someone starts talking to you, and will lower the volume of the audio you're listening to and cut down on background noise accordingly." This is apparently wrong.

 

[jennyp]

You're looking at an old doc, published back in May 2023. Here's the current one:

About firmware updates for AirPods - Apple Support

Learn about changes and features included in the firmware updates for your AirPods.

support.apple.com

Oh hang on, in your link it says, "When used with iOS 17 and macOS Sonoma..." Is this Sonoma only? 🫢