4 Simple Ways to Pause Audio with AirPods or AirPods Pro

Quickly pause and resume your media with your Apple AirPods

With your AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, you can easily pause your music or audio without needing to tap your connected device. By default, most generations of AirPods will let you pause music by simply pressing the stem or Touch control. If not, you can quickly adjust this function in your iPhone or iPad's Bluetooth settings. This wikiHow will show you how to pause songs using your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation Apple AirPods or AirPods Pro.

Things You Should Know

  • On AirPods Pro, press the Force Sensor on the stem of an AirPod to pause a song.
  • For AirPods 1st or 2nd generation, change your settings to pause after double-tapping.
  • To change your settings, wear your AirPods and go to "Settings" → "Bluetooth" → "AirPods". Tap "left" or "right", then select the action.
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Removing an AirPod

  1. Image titled Pause Airpods Step 1
    1
    Wear your AirPods or AirPods Pro. You'll need them synced to your device and active.
  2. Image titled Pause Airpods Step 2
    2
    Open the Settings
    iPhone Settings App Icon
    app.     This is the grey cog icon.
    • On newer versions of iOS, you can directly click your AirPods underneath your Apple ID.
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  3. Image titled Pause Airpods Step 3
    3
    Toggle on
    iPhone Switch On Icon
    "Automatic Ear Detection".     If this is already enabled, skip to the next step.
  4. Image titled Pause Airpods Step 4
    4
    Play media. You can use a music streaming service such as Apple Music, Spotify, or even watch a video on YouTube. This will work for most medias that contain audio and enable pausing.
  5. Image titled Pause Airpods Step 5
    5
    Take out your AirPod. By removing one or both AirPods from your ear, audio will automatically pause.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Using Touch Control (AirPods Pro)

  1. Image titled Pause Airpods Step 6
    1
    Wear your AirPods Pro. There will be a built-in Force Sensor in the stem of the AirPods.[1]
    • Make sure your AirPods are connected to your device and fully charged.
    • By default, you'll be able to play and pause without changing any settings.
  2. Image titled Pause Airpods Step 7
    2
    Play media. You can use a music streaming service such as Apple Music, Spotify, or watch a video on YouTube. This will work for most medias that contain audio and enable pausing.
  3. Image titled Pause Airpods Step 8
    3
    Press the Touch control. This is found in the stem of the AirPods. You can use the left or right sensor.
    • Your AirPods Pro will pause your audio.
    • To resume playback, press the Touch control again.
    • To adjust the volume, place your thumb on the stem of the AirPod. Swipe your index finger up on the Touch control to raise the volume or down to lower the volume.
  4. Image titled Pause Airpods Step 9
    4
    Press and hold the Touch control to use Siri. You can use Siri to control your music. You must have Siri set up and active to use this method.[2]
    • Say, "Hey Siri, pause this song." Siri will pause the track.
    • You can also ask Siri to skip songs, repeat, and turn up the volume.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Using Double-Tap (1st & 2nd Generation)

  1. Image titled Pause Airpods Step 10
    1
    Wear your AirPods. There will be a built-in Force Sensor in the stem of the AirPods.
    • Make sure your AirPods are paired to your device and fully charged.
    • For 1st and 2nd Generation AirPods, double-tapping the Force Sensor will skip songs. To pause, you'll need to change your settings.
  2. Image titled Pause Airpods Step 11
    2
    Open the Settings
    iPhone Settings App Icon
    app.     This is the grey cog icon.
    • Make sure your AirPods are paired to your device and fully charged.
    • On newer versions of iOS, you can directly click your AirPods underneath your Apple ID.
  3. Image titled Pause Airpods Step 12
    3
    Tap Bluetooth. This can be found underneath Wi-Fi.
  4. Image titled Pause Airpods Step 13
    4
    Tap i next to your AirPods name. Your AirPods should be listened underneath My Devices.
  5. Image titled Pause Airpods Step 14
    5
    Tap Left or Right. Select the AirPod you want to customize.
    • This will be underneath Double-Tap on Airpod.
    • A new page will open.
    • If your AirPods are not connected, you won't see the options to change your settings.
  6. Image titled Pause Airpods Step 15
    6
    Tap Play/Pause. A blue check mark will appear next to the option.
    • You can also select Siri, Next Track, Previous Track, or Off.
    • Your AirPods will be ready to pause using double-tap.
  7. Image titled Pause Airpods Step 16
    7
    Play media. You can use a music streaming service such as Apple Music, listen to a podcast on Spotify, or a video on YouTube. This will work for most medias that contain audio and enable pausing.
  8. Image titled Pause Airpods Step 17
    8
    Double-tap the AirPod. Use the AirPod you customized in the previous steps.
    • Your AirPod will pause the song.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Using the Digital Crown (AirPods Max)

  1. Image titled Pause Airpods Step 18
    1
    Wear your AirPods Max. Make sure your AirPods Max headset is paired to your device and fully charged.[3]
  2. Image titled Pause Airpods Step 19
    2
    Play a song. You can use a music streaming service such as Apple Music, Spotify, or even YouTube.
  3. Image titled Pause Airpods Step 20
    3
    Press the Digital Crown. This is the circular button at the top of the left ear.
    • Your AirPods Max will pause your audio. To resume playback, press again.
    • To skip a song, press the Digital Crown twice. To skip back, press the Digital Crown three times.
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References

  1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212203
  2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208279
  3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211883

About This Article

Rain Kengly
Written by:
Rain Kengly
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Rain Kengly. Rain Kengly is a wikiHow Technology Writer. As a storytelling enthusiast with a penchant for technology, they hope to create long-lasting connections with readers from all around the globe. Rain graduated from San Francisco State University with a BA in Cinema. This article has been viewed 3,983 times.
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Co-authors: 3
Updated: February 28, 2023
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Categories: Featured Articles | Headphones
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