How to Change Volume on AirPods, AirPods 2, AirPods 3 & AirPods Pro (iOS 15 Update)

* 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 nonintuitive. It's not easy for everyone to figure out how to adjust the volume on AirPods when there are no buttons and no dials! 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

Jump To:

• Overview of AirPods Volume Control
• Original AirPods & AirPods 2 Volume Control
• Volume Control for AirPods 3 & Airpods Pro
• Turn AirPods Volume Up & Down with an iOS Device
• Change AirPods Volume Settings with Your Apple Watch
• Turn AirPods Volume Up or Down from Your Mac

Overview of AirPods Volume Control

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. If you'd like to learn more, we've also 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.

AirPods, AirPods 2, AirPods 3 & 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, AirPods third generation, and AirPods Pro. If you're not sure what model of AirPods you have, you can learn how to identify your AirPods. 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 & AirPods 2 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. Make sure your AirPods are connected to your device before attempting to adjust the settings.

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.
   
   
5. Choose Siri from the list of possible functions. 
   
   

Double-tap AirPods & AirPods 2 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, "Turn up the volume." Or, "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 3 & AirPods Pro Volume Control with Siri

With AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro, you cannot customize a double-tap command to summon Siri as you do with the original and 2nd-generation AirPods. This is because the AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro come with a Force Sensor on the stem, and all Siri command options are already configured. You still have the ability to summon Siri with voice only, by saying "Hey Siri" and requesting the volume be raised or lowered. But if you want to adjust the volume without saying "Hey Siri" you can do so by following the steps below: 

1. Press and hold the Force Sensor to activate Siri. 
   
   
2. Say something like, "Raise the volume" or "Lower the volume by 40 percent."

For all models of AirPods covered in this article, you can only adjust the volume through Siri or with your device playing the audio. So if you're looking to adjust AirPods, AirPods 2, AirPods 3, and AirPods Pro volume control without Siri, read on to learn how to adjust the volume with the device playing the audio. 

AirPods Volume Control with Hey Siri

One of the convenient features added to AirPods beginning with the second generation is the ability to summon Siri with voice only (instead of using the double-tap shown above). If you have a pair of second- or third-generation AirPods or AirPods Pro and would like to raise or lower the volume, you can now do so without tapping or squeezing 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 Adjust Volume on 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. The steps below work for all models covered in this article, including AirPods, AirPods 2, AirPods 3, and AirPods Pro: 

1. If your iPhone is unlocked, open the Control Center by swiping down from the top right corner of the display.
   
   
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 3 & 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 (All Models)

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.
   
   

Now that you've got your volume where you want it, if you're having trouble with your microphone, you can see our troubleshooting tips for the AirPods mic.