sodcalculator

10 Tech How-To

How to Set Personalized Spatial Audio on AirPods

Guide 10-29976 · Updated · Step by step

Personalized Spatial Audio tailors the surround-sound effect to the unique shape of your ears, making music, movies, and calls feel more immersive and accurate. This guide walks you through setting it up on iPhone and iPad, and covers what to do if it doesn’t work.

What You’ll Need

  • AirPods Pro (1st or 2nd generation), AirPods Max, or AirPods (3rd generation)
  • iPhone or iPad with iOS/iPadOS 16 or later (for the full setup)
  • Your Apple ID signed in on the device
  • A quiet environment (the setup uses the front camera to scan your ears)

Step-by-Step

  1. Update your device. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any pending updates. Personalized Spatial Audio requires iOS/iPadOS 16 or later.
  2. Connect your AirPods. Put your AirPods in your ears and make sure they are connected to your iPhone or iPad via Bluetooth.
  3. Open Settings. On your iPhone or iPad, tap Settings.
  4. Tap your AirPods name. Near the top of the Settings screen, you’ll see your AirPods listed (e.g., “John’s AirPods Pro”). Tap it.
  5. Scroll down to “Personalized Spatial Audio.” It appears under the “Spatial Audio” section. Tap it.
  6. Tap “Personalize Spatial Audio.” A welcome screen explains what the feature does. Tap Continue.
  7. Position your face. The front camera opens. Hold your iPhone/iPad at arm’s length, with your face centered in the frame. Make sure your ears are visible and not covered by hair or a hat. Tap Start.
  8. Scan your ears. Slowly turn your head to the left and right as instructed, keeping your face in the frame. The camera scans the shape of your ears. Follow the on-screen prompts until the scan is complete.
  9. Review the results. You’ll see a preview of your ear scan. Tap Use This Scan to apply it, or Retake to try again.
  10. Confirm. Tap Done. Your personalized profile is now saved and will be used automatically for Spatial Audio content.

Common Mistakes

  • Skipping the update: If your device is on an older iOS, the option won’t appear at all.
  • Hair or hat covering ears: The camera needs a clear view of both ears. Tie back long hair and remove hats or headphones.
  • Moving too fast: Turning your head too quickly can blur the scan. Move slowly and steadily.
  • Not using the front camera: The setup uses the front (selfie) camera, not the rear camera. Make sure you’re facing the screen.
  • Assuming it’s automatic: After setup, you still need to enable Spatial Audio for content (see Tips).

Tips

  • Enable Spatial Audio for content: After setup, open Control Center (swipe down from the top-right corner on iPhone X or later), press and hold the volume slider, then tap the Spatial Audio icon (a small circle with a dot) and choose Fixed or Head Tracked.
  • Use it with compatible content: Personalized Spatial Audio works best with Dolby Atmos music, supported movies and TV shows, and FaceTime calls with Spatial Audio.
  • Redo the scan if needed: If you change your hairstyle or ear shape (e.g., after weight loss), you can redo the scan anytime from the same Settings menu.
  • Turn off head tracking: If the sound moves too much when you move your head, choose Fixed instead of Head Tracked in Control Center.

Troubleshooting

  • “Personalized Spatial Audio” is missing: Ensure your AirPods are connected and your iOS is 16+. If it still doesn’t appear, forget the AirPods in Bluetooth settings and pair them again.
  • Scan fails repeatedly: Move to a well-lit area, remove glasses or face coverings, and ensure your face is fully visible. If you have a very dark or very bright background, adjust the lighting.
  • No effect after setup: Make sure the content actually supports Spatial Audio. Try a known Dolby Atmos track in Apple Music. Also check that Spatial Audio is enabled in Control Center.
  • Head tracking not working: Go to Settings > Accessibility > AirPods and ensure “Follow iPhone” is on. Also check that the AirPods are properly seated in your ears.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Personalized Spatial Audio work on Android?

No. The setup requires an iPhone or iPad with iOS/iPadOS 16 or later. Once configured, the profile is stored on your Apple device and iCloud, but the feature itself is only available on Apple devices.

Will it work with AirPods (2nd generation)?

No. Only AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd gen), AirPods Max, and AirPods (3rd gen) support Spatial Audio, and only those models support Personalization.

Can I use the same scan on multiple devices?

Yes. If you’re signed into the same Apple ID, the personalized profile syncs across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac (with macOS Ventura or later).

Does it affect battery life?

Using Spatial Audio (especially with head tracking) can slightly reduce battery life, but the personalization itself has no ongoing impact—it’s just a stored profile.

Can I turn it off after setting it up?

Yes. Go to Settings > Your AirPods > Personalized Spatial Audio and tap “Turn Off.” You can also disable Spatial Audio entirely from Control Center.

Why does the scan need my ears?

The shape of your ears affects how sound waves reach your eardrum. The scan creates a personalized filter that makes the virtual surround sound more accurate for you.

Related

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

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →