AirPods, AirPods 2, & AirPods Pro Settings: How to Turn Volume Up & Down in iOS 15

* This post is part of iPhone Life's Tip of the Day newsletter. Sign Up. *

Is your AirPods' volume low? AirPods Pro and AirPods volume control can be a bit unintuitive. It's not easy for everyone to figure out how to adjust the volume on AirPods when there are no buttons and no dials! AirPods controls are hidden in Siri commands, AirPod tap controls (some call them AirPods touch controls), and AirPods gestures. There are two Airpods volume control options for increasing and decreasing the volume on your AirPods: One involves using Siri commands to turn your AirPods up or down. The other method allows people to use their iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac to adjust volume on AirPods and AirPods Pro. We've already written about how to change AirPod settings, what to do if your AirPods mic isn't working, and even a full guide of AirPods instructions. If you've been wondering how to work AirPods and AirPods Pro volume control, read on to learn how to make your AirPods louder or lower the volume. 

Related: How to Use AirPods, AirPods 2 & AirPods Pro: A Guide to Charging, Pairing, Setting Up & More

How Do AirPods' Volume Controls Work? What's in This Article:

• Original AirPods Volume Control
• Volume Control for Second-Generation AirPods and Airpods Pro
• Turn AirPods & Second-Generation AirPods' Volume Up & Down with an iOS Device
• Change AirPods or AirPod 2 Volume Settings with Your Apple Watch
• Turn AirPods, Second-Generation AirPods, or Airpods Pro Volume Up or Down from Your Mac

AirPods, AirPods 2, & AirPods Pro Settings: How to Turn Up Volume on AirPods & How to Turn Down Volume on AirPods

Here's how to control AirPods volume (every generation), including AirPods, AirPods second generation, and AirPods Pro. You'll learn how to turn volume up on AirPods and down on AirPods with and without Siri. Here are the AirPod tricks you need to learn to control your volume easily. For more great AirPod tricks, check out our free Tip of the Day. 

How to Use AirPods' Volume Control with Siri

To turn the volume up or down on your AirPods, you'll need to adjust your settings so that one of your AirPods is able to summon Siri.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad
2. Tap Bluetooth.
3. Find your AirPods in the list of paired devices, and tap on the info icon to the right.
4. Under Double-Tap On AirPod, tap either Right or Left and choose Siri from the list of possible functions. 

Double-tap AirPods to Use Siri Volume Controls

Once you've customized your settings, you can double-tap AirPods, whichever you've designated, to summon Siri. Here's where to tap on AirPods to summon Siri:

1. Double-tap the AirPod in the position indicated in the image below.
2. Say, "Hey Siri, turn up the volume." Or, "Hey Siri, turn down the volume."
   
   

You can also raise or lower the AirPods' volume by telling Siri a specific percentage you'd like to increase or decrease the volume. For example, you might say, "Siri, lower the volume to 20 percent." After a little experimentation, you'll figure out which volume levels are most comfortable for you.

AirPods 2 Volume Control & AirPods Pro Volume Control with Siri

One of the convenient, new features added to AirPods second generation and AirPods Pro is the ability to summon Siri with voice only. If you have a pair of second-generation AirPods or AirPods Pro and would like to raise or lower the volume, you can now do so without tapping your earbuds.

1. Just say, "Hey Siri, raise the volume" or "Hey Siri, turn down the volume". 
2. You can also ask Siri to raise or lower the volume by percentage by saying, for example, "Hey Siri, raise the volume to 50 percent."

AirPods Settings on the iPhone, iPad & iPod touch: How to Turn Adjust Volume on AirPods & Second-Generation AirPods

If you're in a quiet place and don't want to be disruptive by talking to Siri, you can adjust your AirPods' volume from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. 

1. If your iPhone is unlocked, open the Control Center by swiping down from the top right corner of the display on iPhone X, XS, and XR.
2. Swipe up from the bottom of the display on iPhone 8 and earlier iPhones.
   
   
    
3. Now raise or lower the AirPods' volume by dragging the volume slider up or down.
   
   
    
4. If your iPhone is on the Lock screen, or in the Notification Center, you can raise or lower the AirPods' volume by dragging the volume slider right or left.
   
   ​ 

AirPod Controls on the Apple Watch: How to Make Your AirPods, AirPods 2 & AirPods Pro Louder & Lower Volume

If you are listening to music on the iPhone that is paired with your Apple Watch or listening to music directly from your Apple Watch, it's also possible to change the AirPods' volume on your watch. 

1. From the Home screen, tap the Now Playing icon to go to the Now Playing screen.
   
   
    
2. Once this screen appears, you'll see a small volume icon, and when you turn the Digital Crown, a green volume indicator will appear.
   
   
   

How to Make AirPods Louder & How to Lower Volume on AirPods from a Mac   

If you're using AirPods connected to your Mac, you can change the volume by using the volume keys on your keyboard or by clicking the volume icon in the Menu Bar and clicking and dragging the volume slider up or down.

If there is no volume button in your Menu Bar, you can enable it in System Preferences.

1. Click the Apple on your computer's Menu Bar, then click System Preferences.
   
   
    
2. Click Sound.
   
   
    
3. Click Output, then click the AirPods your Mac is connected within the list that appears.
4. At the bottom of this window, below the volume bar, click the box next to Show volume in menu bar.