AirPods controls
In addition to controlling audio from the apps you use with your AirPods, you can use controls directly on your AirPods to do things like pause and resume playback, skip tracks, answer calls, and use Siri. You can adjust the controls for AirPods (all generations), AirPods Pro (all generations), or AirPods Max on your device.
On your device, go to Settings , then tap the name of your AirPods near the top of the screen.
AirPods (1st or 2nd generation) controls
![The location to double-tap on AirPods (1st or 2nd generation), at the top edge of the stem.](https://help.apple.com/assets/65F1C66A94AC154A7D0E2E94/65F1C66D12C94DFB570CD201/en_US/a97510a90433fc78bfc91d5f5688c3b3.png)
You can control your AirPods with a double tap at the top of the stem. For example, when you get an incoming call, double-tap to answer. You can also set each of your AirPods to do one of the following with a double tap:
Play and pause audio content.
Play the next track.
Go back to the previous track.
Activate Siri.
AirPods (3rd generation) controls
![The location of the force sensor on AirPods (3rd generation), along the stem of each of your AirPods.](https://help.apple.com/assets/65F1C66A94AC154A7D0E2E94/65F1C66D12C94DFB570CD201/en_US/28f759da904af343288067f28a8906df.png)
With the force sensor on the stem of both AirPods (3rd generation), you can do any of the following:
Play and pause audio: Press the stem. To resume playback, press it again.
Play the next track: Double-press the stem.
Play the previous track: Triple-press the stem.
Answer a call: When you receive a call, press the stem.
Activate Siri: Press and hold the stem, then ask questions, control apps, and more.
AirPods Pro (1st generation) controls
![The location of the force sensor on AirPods Pro (1st generation), along the stem of each of your AirPods.](https://help.apple.com/assets/65F1C66A94AC154A7D0E2E94/65F1C66D12C94DFB570CD201/en_US/fc6029b9449ecf04a599dc2b18dc5eee.png)
With the force sensor on the stem of both AirPods Pro (1st generation), you can do any of the following:
Play and pause audio: Press the stem. To resume playback, press it again.
Play the next track: Double-press the stem.
Play the previous track: Triple-press the stem.
Answer a call: When you receive a call, press the stem.
Switch between Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode: You can set either of your AirPods to perform this action when you press and hold the stem. See Change settings for AirPods Pro.
Activate Siri: You can set either of your AirPods to perform this action when you press and hold the stem. See Set up Siri.
AirPods Pro (2nd generation) controls
![The location of the Touch control on AirPods Pro (2nd generation), along the stem of each of your AirPods.](https://help.apple.com/assets/65F1C66A94AC154A7D0E2E94/65F1C66D12C94DFB570CD201/en_US/4e5cf6b7f486fc0e281c9fcf4e007f0b.png)
With the Touch control on the stem of both AirPods Pro (2nd generation), you can do any of the following:
Play and pause audio: Press the stem. To resume playback, press it again.
Play the next track: Double-press the stem.
Play the previous track: Triple-press the stem.
Answer a call: When you receive a call, press the stem.
Adjust volume: Lightly swipe up or down on the stem.
You can also turn on Personalized Volume to automatically adjust the volume based on listening preferences and your environment. See Use Conversation Awareness, Personalized Volume, and Loud Sound Reduction with AirPods Pro (2nd generation).
Switch between Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and Adaptive Audio noise control modes: You can set either of your AirPods to perform this action when you press and hold the stem. See Change what the force sensor or Touch control does.
Activate Siri: You can set either of your AirPods to perform this action when you press and hold the stem. See Set up Siri.
AirPods Max controls
![The right headphone on AirPods Max, showing the Digital Crown on the top left of the headphone and the noise control button on the top right.](https://help.apple.com/assets/65F1C66A94AC154A7D0E2E94/65F1C66D12C94DFB570CD201/en_US/39fc078f0952e79f797233c5dce5b2e3.png)
You can use the Digital Crown and the noise control button—located on the right headphone—to control audio, phone calls, FaceTime calls, and to activate Siri.
Control audio content
You can use the Digital Crown and noise control button to do any of the following:
Play and pause audio content: Press the Digital Crown. To resume playback, press it again.
Play the next track: Double-click the Digital Crown.
Play the previous track: Triple-click the Digital Crown.
Adjust the volume: Turn the Digital Crown.
Switch between Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode: Press the noise control button. See Change settings for AirPods Max.
Control phone and FaceTime calls
When you receive a call, use the Digital Crown to do any of the following:
Answer a call: Press the Digital Crown.
Decline an incoming call: Double-click the Digital Crown.
Answer a second incoming call and put the first call on hold: Press the Digital Crown.
Switch between two active calls: Double-click the Digital Crown to end the current call and switch to the other call.
Decline a second incoming call: Press and hold the Digital Crown.
Send the call to your phone: Double-click the Digital Crown.
Activate Siri
Activate Siri: Press and hold the Digital Crown, wait for a chime, then ask questions, control apps, and more.