Table of Contents
Introduction
Apple’s AirPods are wireless Bluetooth headphones that allow you to make and receive phone calls hands-free. This provides convenience and flexibility when you need to call someone but don’t have hands available to hold your phone.
In this guide, I’ll walk through everything you need to know about making and receiving calls with AirPods, including the different models and how to set them up.
AirPods Models
There are a few different AirPods models to choose from:
- AirPods 1st and 2nd generation – The original AirPods released in 2016 and second generation model released in 2019. These require you to double tap the AirPods to activate Siri and make calls.
- AirPods Pro 1st and 2nd generation – Added active noise cancellation and transparency mode. You press and hold the force sensor on the stem to activate Siri.
- AirPods 3rd generation – Redesigned shape more similar to AirPods Pro, with force sensor for activating Siri.
- AirPods Max – Over-ear wireless headphones with additional features like spatial audio. You press and hold the digital crown to activate Siri.
The way you make calls differs slightly between models, but setup is largely the same.
Setting Up Your AirPods for Phone Calls
To start using your AirPods for calls, follow these steps:
- Charge your AirPods case and AirPods to ensure they don’t run out of battery during calls
- Turn on Bluetooth on your iPhone
- Open the AirPods case near your iPhone
- An AirPods connection popup will appear on your iPhone – tap Connect
- Place both AirPods in your ears
- Play audio on your iPhone and ensure you hear it through the AirPods – this confirms setup is complete
Your AirPods will now automatically connect to your iPhone whenever you open the case near it from now on.
Making a Call with AirPods
Once set up, making a hands-free call is very convenient with AirPods.
On all models except AirPods Max:
- Activate Siri by double tapping an AirPod, or press and hold the force sensor (on AirPods Pro and 3rd gen)
- Say your voice command to Siri e.g. “Call Mom”
- Siri will make the call through your iPhone using your AirPods
On AirPods Max:
- Press and hold the digital crown to activate Siri
- Make your voice request e.g. “Call Sarah mobile”
You can now have a phone conversation hands-free using your AirPods.
Receiving Calls with AirPods
When receiving an incoming call, you’ll hear a ringtone through your AirPods. Here is how to answer:
AirPods 1st and 2nd generation
- Double tap an AirPod to answer the call
AirPods Pro and 3rd generation
- Press the force sensor to answer
AirPods Max
- Press the digital crown to answer
Once answered, you can have your phone conversation through the AirPods as normal.
To end a call, perform the answer gesture again e.g. double tap or press force sensor.
Advanced Features
Here are some extra handy features when using AirPods for phone calls:
Announce calls – Have Siri read out details of who is calling you. Turn this on in Settings > Siri & Search.
Decline calls – Double press the force sensor on AirPods Pro/3rd gen or double click the digital crown on AirPods Max to send a call directly to voicemail.
Answer second call – If a second call comes in, press the force sensor/digital crown to put the first call on hold and answer the new call.
Change volume – You can turn the digital crown on AirPods Max to change call volume. On other models use your iPhone volume buttons as normal.
Mute call – On a call, you can press the force sensor or digital crown once to mute yourself. Press again to unmute.
Conclusion
Hopefully this guide has provided everything you need to know to start making and taking calls completely hands-free with your AirPods.
It takes some practice to get used to gestures, but once mastered, AirPods provide an incredibly convenient way to handle calls while staying productive.
Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions!
