How to Make AirPods Sound Better on iOS 14

If your AirPods sound a bit flat or you want to get more bass and clarity, iOS 14 includes a few hidden audio settings that can noticeably improve the sound. This guide walks you through the exact steps to adjust the audio balance, enable headphone accommodations, and tune the EQ to your liking. You’ll need your AirPods (any generation) connected to an iPhone or iPad running iOS 14 or later.

What You’ll Need

AirPods (any generation, including AirPods Pro and AirPods Max)
An iPhone or iPad with iOS 14 or later
Your AirPods connected via Bluetooth

Step-by-Step

Make sure your AirPods are connected. Put them in your ears and confirm they’re connected to your iPhone or iPad (you’ll see the AirPods icon in the status bar or in Control Center).
Open Settings. On your iPhone or iPad, tap the Settings app (the gear icon).
Go to Accessibility. Scroll down and tap Accessibility.
Tap Audio/Visual. Under the “Hearing” section, tap Audio/Visual.
Enable Headphone Accommodations. Tap Headphone Accommodations and toggle it on.
Choose a Tuning. You’ll see options: Balanced, Vocal, and Brightness. For most music, Balanced is a good starting point. If you want more clarity in vocals, pick Vocal. For more treble, pick Brightness.
Adjust the Level. Use the slider to set the amplification level. A moderate level (around 50-70%) is usually best to avoid distortion. You can test with a song playing.
Set the Phone Tuning (optional). If you want the same settings for phone calls, toggle on Phone under “Tuning”. This applies the same accommodation to calls.
Check the Media Tuning. Make sure Media is on (it’s on by default). This applies the settings to music, podcasts, and videos.
Go back to Settings. Now tap the back arrow (<) in the top left corner until you're back to the main Settings page.
Tap Music. Scroll down and tap Music.
Tap EQ. Under the “Playback” section, tap EQ.
Choose a preset. Pick a preset that suits your music. For more bass, choose Bass Booster or Late Night. For a balanced sound, try Rock or Pop. You can also try Treble Booster for more clarity.
Test and adjust. Play a song you know well and listen. Go back and change the EQ or Headphone Accommodations settings if needed.

Common Mistakes

Not enabling Headphone Accommodations. Just adjusting the EQ alone won’t give you the same boost in clarity and loudness. Make sure you’ve turned on Headphone Accommodations and selected a tuning.
Setting the Level too high. Turning the amplification level to 100% can cause distortion and damage your hearing. Keep it moderate.
Forgetting to apply settings to Media. If you only change the EQ, it won’t affect the Headphone Accommodations. Both need to be set.
Using EQ with Headphone Accommodations. The EQ and Headphone Accommodations work together, but using both with extreme settings can cause clipping. Start with one and add the other slowly.
Not updating to iOS 14. These features are only available on iOS 14 or later. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check.

Tips

Use the “Late Night” EQ for low volume. If you listen at low volumes, the Late Night preset boosts quiet sounds, making everything clearer.
Try “Bass Booster” for hip-hop or EDM. It adds a noticeable low-end punch.
Customize your own EQ. iOS doesn’t let you create a custom EQ, but you can use the “Rock” preset as a base and tweak the Headphone Accommodations level.
Reset all settings if you mess up. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings. This won’t erase your data, but it will reset all your preferences.
Use the “Vocal” tuning for podcasts. It makes voices sound clearer and more present.

Troubleshooting

If you don’t hear a difference, check these things:

Make sure your AirPods are connected. If they’re not connected, the settings won’t apply. Check the Bluetooth connection in Control Center.
Restart your iPhone. Sometimes a simple restart fixes audio glitches.
Check the volume. The Headphone Accommodations only work when the volume is at a certain level. Try turning the volume up to 50% or more.
Check if the settings are off. Go back to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual and confirm Headphone Accommodations is on and the Media toggle is on.
Try different songs. Some songs are mixed differently. Test with a song you know has good bass and treble.
Reset your AirPods. If nothing works, forget your AirPods in Bluetooth settings, put them back in the case, hold the button on the back for 15 seconds until the light flashes amber and then white, and reconnect them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will these settings work on all AirPods?

Yes, Headphone Accommodations works with all AirPods generations, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. The EQ works with all of them too.

Can I use these settings with Android?

No, these settings are only available on iOS 14 or later. Android doesn’t have the same built-in audio accommodations.

Will this damage my hearing?

If you set the Level too high, it can be loud and potentially damaging. Keep the level moderate and don’t listen at high volumes for long periods.

Why does my AirPods Pro sound different?

AirPods Pro have active noise cancellation and transparency modes, which can affect the sound. The Headphone Accommodations still work, but you might notice a difference when switching between modes.

Can I use a custom EQ?

iOS 14 doesn’t let you create a custom EQ curve. You can only choose from the presets in the Music app. However, you can combine a preset with the Headphone Accommodations tuning to get a more personalized sound.

Will these settings affect phone calls?

Yes, if you enable the “Phone” toggle in Headphone Accommodations, the tuning will apply to phone calls. Otherwise, it only affects media.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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