TheAirPods Max, Apple’s only over-ear headphones with AirPods branding, released in December 2020 after several years of rumors. Even though these headphones are nearlyfour years old, they still offer great features and excellent sound quality.
Available in five colors and built out of aluminum, the AirPods Max feel and look high-end. Don’t worry, they have a $549 price to match. I’ve patiently waited for Apple to release a 2nd generation version of the AirPods Max. However,Amazon had a great 32% off saleon an open-box pair, so I ordered them. To my surprise, they were brand new and even had the option to add AppleCare+.
While using my new headphones, I discovered 6 underused tips and tricks for AirPods Max.
AirPods Max
The AirPods Max offer premium sound quality, active noise cancellation, and a luxurious design for an immersive audio experience.
1Customize the noise control button
Switch noise control modes with ease
The AirPods Max feature three noise control modes:Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and Off. Every person has a preference as to which mode they enjoy using. Many, like myself, prefer switching between two or more modes. By default, you can switch between Noise Cancellation and Transparency by pressing the Noise Control button, the long button on top of the right ear cup.
To customize which noise control options the side button switches between: openSettings> tap your AirPods Max > scroll down toBUTTON CYCLES BETWEEN> tap to select or deselect your choices.
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2Call controls
Answer, end, and mute calls
If you find yourself pulling out your iPhone to answer, end, or muting calls while wearing your AirPods Max, stop it. Stop it now. Phone calls are one of the best uses for any pair of AirPods. To answer a call, press your Digital Crown once and tap it twice to end the call. While on a call, you can press the Digital Crown once to mute and unmute yourself. It’s kind of like magic. The Digital Crown is the circular scrollable button on the right ear cup.
To customize your call control gestures: openSettings> tap your AirPods Max > scroll down toCALL CONTROLS> tapMute & UnmuteorEnd Call> selectPress OnceorPress Twice. The other gesture will revert to the opposite setting automatically.
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3Digital Crown to control audio
Control audio with ease
Did you know that your AirPods Max’s Digital Crown has several secret gestures for controlling audio? If you frequently pull out your iPhone to pause, play, skip, or adjust the volume, this is a tip for you.
The Digital Crown on AirPods Max can do the following:
To swap the scrolling direction for adjusting your volume, openSettings> tap your AirPods Max > scroll down toDigital Crown> selectFrom to Back.
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From toggling on ANC to automatic head detection, these settings are simple yet powerful.
4Personalized Spatial Audio
Personalize your listening experience
Spatial Audiois audio technology that creates a three-dimensional audio environment intended to make sounds appear to come from various directions, like above and below, rather than just side-to-side. When using an iPhone or iPad with Face ID, you can customize your Spatial Audio experience by personalizing it to your head’s movements, making it more realistic.
To set up Personalized Spatial Audio: openSettingson your Face ID device > tap your AirPods Max > scroll down toSPATIAL AUDIO> tapPersonalized Spatial Audio>Personalize Spatial Audio…>Continue>Start Capture> move your head to the left and right as directed > tapDone.
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5Restart your AirPods Max
Troubleshooting 101
A tried-and-true troubleshooting suggestion when facing problems with a device is to restart it. While other AirPods models can’t be restarted, AirPods Max can. Apple recommends attempting torestart your AirPodsshould you be facing any issues.
To restart your AirPods Max, press and hold the noise control button and digital crown simultaneously for 15 seconds. The LED status light located at the button of the right ear cup will flash amber. Once the light turns white, release the buttons. Your AirPods Max have been restarted.
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6Find My Network
Don’t lose your AirPods again
I don’t know about you, butFind Myis one of my favorite Apple-provided services that helps me recover items I forget or misplace. As the owner of a pair of expensive headphones, I recommend ensuring Find My Network is enabled for yourAirPods Max. Turning on Find My Network allows your AirPods Max to appear on a map in your Find My app and iCloud.com/find to show you its last known location. Find My also alerts you when your AirPods Max are left behind at a location. The Find My app allows you to play a sound or have your iPhone direct you to your headphones when nearby.
To enable Find My Network: OpenSettings> tap your AirPods Max > scroll down to Find My Network > ensureFind My Networkis toggled to green.
Which AirPods should you get? Let me help you choose
All the way from the 3rd-gen AirPods to the AirPods Max, there’s a pair of Apple AirPods out there that are the best for you.
