AirPods are some of the most popular headphones on the market today. They look great, sound even better, and have the added benefit of being a bit of a fashion statement too.
But they seem to have a major drawback when it comes to volume control.
Many users have noted that the only way to adjust the volume of their AirPods (without reaching for their device) is by using Siri.
This is all well and good – but what if you’re in a situation where talking to Siri isn’t appropriate? What if you’re on a phone call?
Let’s take a look at the options you have when it comes to volume control for AirPods and AirPods Pro.
Table of Contents
Regular AirPods (Not Pro) Volume Controls – Your Options
Using your Device
This is the easiest way to adjust the volume of your AirPods, but it’s not always practical. If you’re exercising, jogging, or trying to listen to music in class or in the office, you may not always want to (or be able to) get your phone out to manually adjust the volume
Using Siri
The next method involves talking to Siri, Apple’s built-in virtual assistant, to ask them to change the volume level for you. First, you must assign Siri to activate when your AirPods are double-tapped. When you hear the Siri chime, you can say “Turn up the volume,” “Turn down the volume,” or “Set volume to 60,” for example.
If you’ve got 2nd or 3rd generation AirPods, or AirPods Pro (more on those later), you can simply say “Hey Siri” to activate Siri without having to touch your AirPods.
While using Siri does allow you to control the volume without having to use your device, it is still not all that convenient – if you’re working somewhere quiet, like a library, or you don’t feel comfortable talking to Siri in public, this option is not great for you.
It’ll also not work when you’re on a call.
Using Apple Watch
Finally, for regular AirPods, the only other viable option for remote volume control of your AirPods is to use the ‘Now Playing’ app on the Apple Watch.
Now, if you do already own an Apple Watch, this is a great means of volume control. You can simply tap the ‘Now Playing’ icon at the top of the Apple Watch screen, then use the dial to adjust the volume.
However, Apple Watches are pretty pricey! And when it comes to regular AirPods (not Pros), using your device, Siri, or an Apple Watch is really all you have in terms of remote volume control.
AirPods Pro Volume Controls
Of course, all the above methods outlining volume control on regular AirPods will also work on AirPods Pro. But there are some slightly more convenient and intuitive controls on the Pros that make life a little easier.
AirPods Pro Built-in Audio Controls
Although Regular AirPods also have built-in audio controls, they lack the significant capability to control the volume. AirPods Pro, however, do not.
To control the volume on your AirPods Pro, without having to use your device, Siri, or an Apple Watch, simply place your thumb on the stem of either AirPod Pro and use your finger to swipe up or down on the touch control.
Final Thoughts
Personally, I think it was a massive oversight by Apple to not include built-in volume control with the AirPods. It is a feature that is commonplace on almost every pair of wireless headphones or earbuds from other manufacturers, and it’s easy to see why. It’s convenient!
Instead, Apple chose to not only neglect this feature but also to remove any user customization options that might allow one to change the assigned features of the touch controls.
Sure, AirPods Pro have the capability, but that is to be expected at that price! Requiring the purchase of an Apple Watch to simply control the volume of your wireless headphones is too much of an ask, in my opinion!
