This article explains how to set up AirPods Pro by connecting them to your devices and adjusting their settings to get the best sound. Instructions cover AirPods Pro setup only. There are separate instructions for setting up standard AirPods.

What to Know

  • To turn on Bluetooth on your iPhone or iPad tap Settings > Bluetooth > tap the switch.Open the AirPods Pro case with the AirPods inside. Hold them near the device, tap Connect.Go to Settings > Bluetooth and tap the i by your AirPods Pro. Tap Ear Tip Fit Test to see how your AirPods Pro fit.

How to Set up AirPods Pro with iPhone and iPad

With their small size and powerful noise cancellation, AirPods Pro are the perfect on-the-go companion for the iPhone or iPad. Here’s how to set up AirPods Pro with those devices:

  • Turn on Bluetooth on your iPhone or iPad by going to Settings > Bluetooth.
  • Open the AirPods Pro case with the AirPods inside. Hold them close to your device.
  • Tap Connect on your iPhone or iPad screen. You’ll see instructions explaining the AirPods Pro’s features, buttons, and how to control them.
  • Tap Use Siri to use Siri commands while wearing AirPods Pro.
  • Siri can automatically read text messages to you through the AirPods Pro when you get them. Enable this function by tapping Announce Messages with Siri. Tap Not Now to skip this feature.
  • Your AirPods Pro are set up and ready to use. The current battery status of the AirPods Pro and the case are displayed on the screen. Tap Done to start using them.

Use the Ear Tip Fit Test for the Best AirPods Pro Sound

One of the best features of the AirPods Pro is active noise cancellation, which removes ambient background noise and improves your audio experience. To get the best noise cancellation, the AirPods Pro must fit snugly in your ears. The AirPods Pro software includes the Ear Tip Fit Test to check the fit of your AirPods in your ears. Here’s how to use it to get the best sound from your AirPods Pro:

Turn on Bluetooth on your iPhone or iPad by going to Settings > Bluetooth.

Open the AirPods Pro case with the AirPods inside. Hold them close to your device.

Tap Connect on your iPhone or iPad screen. You’ll see instructions explaining the AirPods Pro’s features, buttons, and how to control them.

Tap Use Siri to use Siri commands while wearing AirPods Pro.

Siri can automatically read text messages to you through the AirPods Pro when you get them. Enable this function by tapping Announce Messages with Siri. Tap Not Now to skip this feature.

Your AirPods Pro are set up and ready to use. The current battery status of the AirPods Pro and the case are displayed on the screen. Tap Done to start using them.

Your AirPods Pro are automatically added to all devices signed into your iCloud account.

  • Connect your AirPods Pro to an iPhone or iPad using the steps above
  • Tap Settings > Bluetooth.
  • Tap the i to the right of the AirPods Pro.
  • Tap Ear Tip Fit Test.
  • Tap Continue.
  • Tap Play. Sounds play in the AirPods Pro, and the software determines the quality of the fit.
  • If everything is good, the test reports a good seal. If the fit could be better, it tells you to adjust the AirPods Pro or change the ear tip. The AirPods Pro come with a number of different-size tips; pull the current tip off, and snap the new one on.

AirPods Pro Options: Noise Cancellation & Transparency

AirPods Pro offer two types of noise cancellation: true noise cancellation and transparency. Noise cancellation is just what it sounds like: ambient noise is removed from what you hear in the AirPods for a clear, quiet experience.

Connect your AirPods Pro to an iPhone or iPad using the steps above

Tap Settings > Bluetooth.

Tap the i to the right of the AirPods Pro.

Tap Ear Tip Fit Test.

Tap Continue.

Tap Play. Sounds play in the AirPods Pro, and the software determines the quality of the fit.

If everything is good, the test reports a good seal. If the fit could be better, it tells you to adjust the AirPods Pro or change the ear tip. The AirPods Pro come with a number of different-size tips; pull the current tip off, and snap the new one on.

The downside of noise cancellation is that you can’t hear people walking close to you, eating while wearing noise-cancelling earbuds can sound strange, and you won’t be able to hear important ambient sounds like traffic. That’s where transparency comes in.

When you use AirPods Pro in transparency mode, you get the benefits of noise cancellation while also hearing important voices and ambient sounds.

There are three ways to toggle between noise cancellation and transparency:

  • Click and hold the button on either earbud. A chime plays to let you know you’ve switched modes.Open Control Center on your paired device, long-press the volume slider, and make your selection.In Settings > Bluetooth > AirPods Pro, make your selection in the Noise Control section.

How to Change AirPods Pro Settings

There are a few other settings you can use to customize your AirPods Pro:

  • Go to Settings > Bluetooth > AirPods Pro.
  • To change the name of your AirPods Pro, tap Name, then tap x, and then add a new name. The name isn’t seen too often; you’ll mostly see it when finding lost AirPods.
  • You can set each AirPod Pro to respond differently when you press and hold its button. Tap Left or Right and then choose either Siri or Noise Control. If you choose Noise Control, you can choose which modes are toggled on and off.
  • If Automatic Ear Detection is enabled, audio will be sent directly to the AirPods Pro whenever they detect that they’re in your ears.
  • Use the Microphone setting to choose whether only one AirPod will have its microphone enabled or both.

Go to Settings > Bluetooth > AirPods Pro.

To change the name of your AirPods Pro, tap Name, then tap x, and then add a new name. The name isn’t seen too often; you’ll mostly see it when finding lost AirPods.

You can set each AirPod Pro to respond differently when you press and hold its button. Tap Left or Right and then choose either Siri or Noise Control. If you choose Noise Control, you can choose which modes are toggled on and off.

If Automatic Ear Detection is enabled, audio will be sent directly to the AirPods Pro whenever they detect that they’re in your ears.

Use the Microphone setting to choose whether only one AirPod will have its microphone enabled or both.

Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day