Whether you're using the standard AirPods, AirPods Pro, or the massive over-the-ear AirPods Max, Apple's AirPods are excellent audio companions. Even if you're not using a model with noise cancellation, they still keep you immersed in your favorite soundtrack.
At least, they do until an ultra-loud notification leaves your ears ringing. On the other hand, you might find yourself missing notifications because they sound too quiet. Either way, it's easy to adjust the notification volume on your AirPods until you've got them exactly where you want them. You can also adjust Siri's volume on your AirPods.
Are Notifications Too Loud on Your AirPods?
AirPods support two types of audible alerts. You've got your regular notifications for texts, emails, calls, etc.—produced by your iPhone and simply routed to the earbuds. In addition, distinct sound effects play if the AirPods battery is low, when you press and hold the stem, connect or disconnect the earbuds, cycle through Transparency modes, and more. These are produced by your AirPods to indicate various device states.
The low-battery alert typically comes out of nowhere and can be particularly loud and pretty jarring. So, how do you turn down the volume of AirPods sound effects without changing the global notification volume?
Adjusting the AirPods volume in the Control Center only affects the media you're listening to. Likewise, changing the regular ringtone and alert volume in the iPhone's Sounds & Haptics menu has no bearing on the volume of these local AirPods status tones.
Thankfully, it's possible to change the volume of sound effects played by AirPods, including the low-battery warning; you just have to look in the right place.
How to Adjust the Volume of Notifications Coming to Your AirPods
Keep in mind that you can only make system notifications for calls, texts, and emails louder or quieter in your AirPods by adjusting the master volume of your iPhone. To do so, drag the slider in Settings > Sounds & Haptics under the Ringtone and Alerts heading left or right.
CloseOf course, you can adjust the master volume with the physical volume buttons on your iPhone, assuming you haven't toggled off Change with Buttons in the same menu.
How to Adjust the Tone Volume of AirPods Sound Effects
Apple lets you adjust the volume of AirPods' mode changes (like noise cancellation on or off) and other status sounds in the accessibility settings, which is separate from the master volume for system notifications.
With the AirPods in your ears, navigate to Settings > Accessibility > AirPods. Once here, scroll down until you see a volume slider under the Tone Volume section. While the name is somewhat confusing, this slider controls the tone volume of the AirPods status sounds.
CloseThe process is different on watchOS and tvOS in that it looks different, though you'll find the volume slider in the same menu. With your AirPods worn and connected to your Apple Watch or Apple TV, go to Settings > Accessibility > AirPods on the device and adjust Tone Volume.
Be sure you're wearing your AirPods while connected to your device, or else you might not see the required setting. If necessary, play some music to wake your AirPods from sleep.
The steps are somewhat different for Macs running macOS Ventura and later. With your AirPods worn and connected to the computer, go to System Settings > Accessibility and click Audio under the Hearing section. You can now drag the Tone volume slider under the AirPods section.
Again, the Tone Volume setting is separate from the master volume for notifications in the Sounds & Haptics menu. There is no need to worry about changing the AirPods status tone volume affecting your notification volume anywhere else, and vice versa.
How to Adjust the Siri Volume on Your AirPods
Even if notifications and status tones sound fine on your AirPods, you may find Siri too loud or quiet. Fortunately, adjusting Siri's volume on your AirPods is easy. With your AirPods connected to your iPhone, say, "Hey Siri" or double-tap either AirPod (1st generation) to trigger Siri. Then, say, "Speak Louder" or "Speak Lower."
There should be a noticeable change in the volume of Siri's voice, but note that there's one disadvantage. This method also changes Siri's volume on any other Bluetooth device. It doesn't affect Siri's volume on your iPhone, though, but you can press the iPhone's volume buttons while Siri is speaking to adjust that.
AirPods Aren't as Customizable as They Seem
Apple's AirPods still aren't as customizable as one would want them to be. To Apple's defense, it has added software features and settings to the earbuds with regular updates. The inability to change the notification volume just for AirPods is one of the missing features Apple should address.
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