These are the first settings I change when I get new AirPods

As an audio product reviewer, I get to test out a lot of new earbuds and headphones. When each new model of AirPods comes out, such as the AirPods 4, there are a few settings I tweak to save myself time and stress in the future. From stopping Siri from reading every single notification out loud to ensuring you never lose an earbud, make sure you know about these features to save yourself from future headaches.

Disable Announce Notifications

Apple’s Announce Notifications feature is helpful in theory—Siri reads your messages and alerts out loud while you’re wearing AirPods—but it can get pretty annoying, especially if you get more than a couple notifications per day. If I’m listening to music or on a call, the last thing I want is Siri suddenly butting in with a random notification. During the AirPods setup process, make sure to tap “customize” when the option for Announce Calls & Notifications pops up. If your AirPods have already been set up, you can adjust these settings here:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Go to Notifications > Announce Notifications.
3. Toggle off Headphones.

Now, Siri won’t interrupt your music or podcasts with every incoming message. If you like this feature but find it overwhelming, you can also customize it so only certain apps or contacts announce notifications.

Personalize Spatial Audio

If you want the best spatial audio experience, you need to use the personalized spatial audio feature to adjust the settings to the shape of your head and ears. Apple uses your iPhone’s front-facing camera to map your ear shape, adjusting the sound for a more immersive experience.

Here’s how to set it up:

1. Open Settings and go to Bluetooth.
2. Tap the “i” next to your AirPods.
3. Select Personalized Spatial Audio and follow the on-screen steps.

Depending on the shape of your ears, you might notice a significant improvement in the spatial audio effect after the personalization process.

Set a Volume Limit

Listening at high volumes for too long can lead to noise-induced hearing loss. To set a safe volume limit:

1. Open Settings > Sounds & Haptics.
2. Tap Headphone Safety.
3. Toggle on Reduce Loud Audio and adjust the decibel limit (85dB is a safe choice for a few hours of listening).

I’ve found this setting also ensures I don’t accidentally blast my ears when switching between different devices or apps with varying volume levels.

Enable Conversation Awareness

One of my favorite features on the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 is Conversation Awareness, which automatically lowers media volume and activates transparency mode when you start speaking. This is super helpful for having a quick conversation with someone without having to pause your music or take out your earbuds.

To enable it:

1. Go to Settings > Bluetooth.
2. Tap the “i” next to your AirPods Pro.
3. Toggle on Conversation Awareness.

You can also activate Conversation Awareness directly from the Control Center on your iOS device.

Turn on Optimized Battery Charging

AirPods aren’t built to last more than a few years, but there is one very important setting to help you preserve those delicate batteries. Optimized Battery Charging slows charging past 80% when your AirPods are plugged in for long periods. This reduces battery aging over time, since lithium-ion batteries degrade faster when constantly charged to 100%.

To turn this on:

1. Open Settings > Bluetooth.
2. Tap the i next to your AirPods.
3. Toggle on Optimized Battery Charging.

With Optimized Battery Charging enabled, you can rest easy knowing your expensive earbud investment will last a few years worth of use.

Enable Find My for AirPods

Losing AirPods is way too easy, so I always make sure Find My is enabled from day one. This allows me to track my AirPods’ location, play a sound to find them, and even get alerts if I leave them behind.

To enable Find My AirPods:

1. Open Find My on your iPhone.
2. Tap Devices, select your AirPods, and ensure Find My Network is on.

Customizing these AirPods settings right away makes a huge difference in usability, sound quality, and convenience. Whether it’s turning off annoying notifications, tweaking Spatial Audio, or protecting your hearing with a volume limit, these quick adjustments help me get the most out of my AirPods. If your AirPods are still causing you trouble, make sure to check out our detailed guide on how to fix every problem with AirPods.

What settings do you change first when you get new AirPods? Let me know in the comments!