AirPods Finally Get Custom EQ in Apple's iOS 27 Overhaul
Apple is bringing a custom equalizer and a redesigned settings screen to AirPods this fall with iOS 27. Here is what changes.
Key Takeaways
- Custom 3-band EQ lands this fall on AirPods Max 2, Pro 3, and AirPods 4, but only on H2-chip models.
- iOS 27 reorganizes the AirPods settings screen into shorter, icon-led menus inside the Settings app.
- AirPods Pro 3 gains expanded GymKit support, syncing heart rate with cardio machines from major brands.
Apple used its Worldwide Developers Conference to give AirPods two long-requested upgrades inside iOS 27. The headliner is a customizable equalizer, finally answering a gap reviewers have flagged for years.
According to CNET, the custom EQ is coming to AirPods Max 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods 4. It arrives with the public release of iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 this fall.
CNET reports that users can adjust a 3-band equalizer for low, mid, and high directly from AirPods Settings. An interactive preview shows the audio changes as you tune the sound profile.
Apple says you can seamlessly switch back and forth to the default AirPods sound tuning, per CNET. That flexibility matters for listeners who still trust Apple's Adaptive EQ in everyday use.
The 3-band layout is narrower than rival options on the market today. CNET notes Sony's WH-1000XM6 and WF-1000XM6 offer a 10-band equalizer for finer control.
CNET reports the custom EQ appears limited to AirPods powered by Apple's H2 chip. Earlier models like the AirPods Pro 2 are not expected to receive the feature.
It remains unclear whether Beats' Powerbeats Pro 2, which also use the H2 chip, will qualify. CNET says Apple has not confirmed support for that model yet.
The second change targets how AirPods settings look and feel inside the Settings app. 9to5Mac reports iOS 27 beta 1 fully revamps that screen with proper organization and new menus.
According to 9to5Mac, AirPods settings still sit at the top of the iPhone Settings app. They appear only when your AirPods are actively connected, matching prior behavior.
9to5Mac says the previous mess of loosely organized toggles is now condensed into clearer menus. Icons accompany each menu, making options easier to identify at a glance.
The main AirPods settings screen is now far shorter than before, per 9to5Mac. There is still no dedicated AirPods app in this beta, which some users want.
Apple also confirmed expanded GymKit support for AirPods Pro 3 owners, according to CNET. Users can pair their iPhone with treadmills, ellipticals, indoor bikes, and stair steppers with a tap.
CNET reports that AirPods Pro 3 users can sync heart rate data through iPhone during workouts. Apple lists Johnson, Life Fitness, Precor, Schwinn, Technogym, and Woodway among supported equipment makers.
About the author
The Mixstackrr Team is a group of writers and editors with more than 10 years of combined experience in SEO and consumer tech. We test devices, dig through settings, and turn everyday tech problems into clear, step-by-step guides anyone can follow.
