We'll show you how to change your AirPod settings to stop the Automatic Ear Detection feature.
Want to remove your AirPods from your ears without the audio pausing or the device disconnecting? A simple settings toggle makes it all possible! Dancing through your kitchen, you quickly remove an AirPod as your housemate walks by saying something. Realizing the audio has now paused, you remove the other AirPod only to find your device has now disconnected.
Why Do My AirPods Keep Disconnecting?
This AirPod feature is called automatic ear detection, which causes your music to pause when you take out one Airpod and to disconnect from Bluetooth when you remove both.
Related: How to Use the Accessibility Menu to Customize Your AirPods Settings
While this sensing feature can help save battery, it can also be frustrating! To avoid this (and keep your music playing at all costs), all you need to do is switch this feature off. We'll show you how, and to learn more about managing your AirPod controls, consider signing up for our free Tip of the Day.
How to Turn Off Automatic Ear Detection
- Open your Settings app, and tap Bluetooth.
![Tap Bluetooth in the settings app.]()
- Tap the blue “i” icon next to your airpods.
![Tap the blue "i" next to your Bluetooth device.]()
- Toggle the switch for Automatic Ear Detection to Off.
![Turn off automatic ear detection.]()
With this simple settings update, you can now freely remove one or both airpods without disrupting your music, video chats, and conference calls. (Pro tip from a marathon podcast fiend: When battery life is low, this is also a great way to remove and charge one AirPod while continuing to play audio through the other.)
