Arguably the greatest feat of the AirPods is that they gain new features with every iOS update without the need for any hardware changes: in 2024, they became (rudimentary) hearing aids, and with iOS 26 came live translation. So it’s hardly surprising that the AirPods will also gain new features with iOS 27, for which you won’t need to buy new headphones.
If you’d like, you can try out these features right now with the iOS 27 beta – or you can wait about another month until iOS 27 is released to everyone.
iOS 27: All the new AirPods features
Equaliser
Perhaps it’s because Apple met with a lot of discontent over the new sound profile of the AirPods Pro 3, or perhaps it was simply about time: with iOS 27, Apple is finally giving AirPods an equalizer. Of course, you shouldn’t expect a comprehensive 7-band equalizer like those from other manufacturers, but the three frequency ranges that Apple allows you to adjust are better than nothing.
The equalizer requires the H2 chip and is therefore available on the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4, and AirPods Max 2. You’ll find it under Settings > [Name of your AirPods] > Audio & Routing > Equalizer.
Revised settings
When you go to the AirPods settings to access the equalizer, you may notice a few changes. Whilst this section previously consisted of a more or less random list of functions and settings, Apple has tidied it up properly in iOS 27. The various settings are now logically grouped into subcategories and are therefore much clearer.
Current best price: AirPods Pro 3
Adjustments for Adaptive Mode
While we’re on the subject of settings: With iOS 27, Apple is expanding the AirPods’ noise-cancelling settings. If you use Adaptive Mode, which dynamically adjusts active noise cancellation depending on ambient noise, you can now set it to operate closer to Transparency Mode or to Noise Cancellation.
There’s a new interface for this, both in the ‘Hearing Mode’ section of Settings and in the Control Center. When the middle icon – Adaptive Mode – is selected, a new slider appears between the two outer icons – Transparency Mode on the left and Noise Cancellation on the right – a new slider, which allows you to move the Adaptive Mode icon across several levels and thus adjust its starting point in one direction or the other.
In the Control Center, with your AirPods connected, you need to press and hold the volume indicator for a few seconds and then tap the Listening Mode icon in the bottom left-hand corner to bring up the mode selection. Logically, granular adjustment of Adaptive Mode is only available on AirPods that support Adaptive Mode itself, namely the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4 (ANC), AirPods Max 1, and AirPods Max 2.
Accessibility – Name Recognition
If you use your AirPods as a hearing aid, iOS 27 introduces a new feature: if your AirPods detect that someone is calling your name, you’ll receive a notification to alert you to this. You can enable this feature using a toggle under Settings > Accessibility > Sound & Name Detection (in the ‘Hearing’ section).
Siri AI
As soon as the new Siri AI is available, you’ll be able to speak to the new version just as you do with the old one. This works much better, as Siri AI now also understands natural language.
The downside: At present, Siri AI only understands English. And for regulatory reasons, it currently only runs on Mac and Apple TV within the EU. It is not yet known when Siri AI will also be available on the iPhone and iPad in the EU, as the European Commission refers to Apple as a ‘gatekeeper’ due to its market power.
Current best price: AirPods 4 (ANC)
Fitness data without an Apple Watch
Apple has equipped the AirPods Pro 3 with a heart rate sensor, so you can track your workout data even without an Apple Watch. With iOS 27, Apple also allows you to share heart rate data from the AirPods Pro 3 with compatible fitness equipment, using the underlying ‘GymKit’ framework.
Location tracking with Apple Watch
Another feature exclusive to the AirPods Pro 3 is the ability to locate them precisely, as they are the only AirPods to feature an ultra-wideband (UWB) chip in the charging case, which allows you to pinpoint their location much more accurately when you’re nearby. Previously, you had to use your iPhone for this; from iOS 27 onwards, you can also use a compatible Apple Watch. With the exception of all SE models, this feature is supported by every Apple Watch from the Series 6 onwards.
Current best price: AirPods Max 2
This article was translated from Macwelt via machine translation and edited by Jason Cross.
