How to Turn Off Headphone Safety

Co-authored by Ken Colburn and Ellie Salyers

Last Updated: May 16, 2022

Do you want to turn off Headphone Safety on an iPhone or Apple Watch? This feature is intended to reduce possible hearing damage caused by high volume exposure in headphones. However, it does this by automatically reducing the volume and sending a notification if you’ve exceeded the decibel limit. If you want to prevent this from happening, follow our wikiHow article on how to easily turn off Headphone Safety.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Turning Off Headphone Safety on iPhone

1
Update your iPhone (if necessary). If you don't have iOS 14 or above, you should first update your iPhone.
2
Open Settings. The app is gray with a gear icon inside.

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3
Tap on Sounds & Haptics. This is next to a pink icon with a volume symbol inside.
4
Tap on Headphone Safety. This is located near the top of the page.
5
Toggle off Headphone Notifications. This means you will no longer receive a notification for exceeding the decibel limit within the span of 7 days. ^{[1]
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6
Toggle off Reduce Loud Sounds. This means that your volume will no longer automatically lower if it’s over the decibel limit.
- Alternatively, you can keep this setting on and, rather, raise the decibel limit. Simply move the slider to the right - you should see the decibel level increase.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Turning Off Headphone Safety on Apple Watch

1
Update your Apple Watch (if necessary). If you don't have watchOS 7.4 or above, you should first update your Apple Watch.
2
Open Settings. The app is gray with a gear icon inside.
3
Scroll down and tap on Accessibility. It is next to a blue circular icon with a person shape inside.
4
Scroll down and tap on Headphone Notifications. Now toggle off the Headphone Notifications button. This means you will no longer receive a notification for exceeding the decibel limit within the span of 7 days.
5
Return to the main settings menu. Tap the back arrow in the top left corner until you return to the main page of Settings.
6
Scroll down and tap on Sounds & Haptics. This is next to a pink icon with a volume symbol inside.
7
Scroll down and tap on Headphone Safety. This is located near the middle of the page.
8
Toggle off Reduce Loud Sounds. This means that your volume will no longer automatically lower if it’s over the decibel limit.