4 Simple Ways to Pause Audio with AirPods or AirPods Pro

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Quickly pause and resume your media with your Apple AirPods

Co-authored by Rain Kengly Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: July 19, 2024

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Removing an AirPod

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Using Touch Control (AirPods Pro)

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Using Double-Tap (1st & 2nd Generation)

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Using the Digital Crown (AirPods Max)

With your AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, you can easily pause your music or audio without needing to tap your connected device. By default, most generations of AirPods will let you pause music by simply pressing the stem or Touch control. If not, you can quickly adjust this function in your iPhone or iPad's Bluetooth settings. This wikiHow will show you how to pause songs using your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation Apple AirPods or AirPods Pro.

Things You Should Know

On AirPods Pro, press the Force Sensor on the stem of an AirPod to pause a song.
For AirPods 1st or 2nd generation, change your settings to pause after double-tapping.
To change your settings, wear your AirPods and go to "Settings" → "Bluetooth" → "AirPods". Tap "left" or "right", then select the action.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Removing an AirPod

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You'll need them synced to your device and active.
2
Open the Settings
app. This is the grey cog icon.
- On newer versions of iOS, you can directly click your AirPods underneath your Apple ID.
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If this is already enabled, skip to the next step.
You can use a music streaming service such as Apple Music, Spotify, or even watch a video on YouTube. This will work for most medias that contain audio and enable pausing.
By removing one or both AirPods from your ear, audio will automatically pause.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Using Touch Control (AirPods Pro)

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1
Wear your AirPods Pro. There will be a built-in Force Sensor in the stem of the AirPods.^{[1]
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- Make sure your AirPods are connected to your device and fully charged.
- By default, you'll be able to play and pause without changing any settings.
You can use a music streaming service such as Apple Music, Spotify, or watch a video on YouTube. This will work for most medias that contain audio and enable pausing.
3
Press the Touch control. This is found in the stem of the AirPods. You can use the left or right sensor.
- Your AirPods Pro will pause your audio.
- To resume playback, press the Touch control again.
- To adjust the volume, place your thumb on the stem of the AirPod. Swipe your index finger up on the Touch control to raise the volume or down to lower the volume.
4
Press and hold the Touch control to use Siri. You can use Siri to control your music. You must have Siri set up and active to use this method.^{[2]
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- Say, "Hey Siri, pause this song." Siri will pause the track.
- You can also ask Siri to skip songs, repeat, and turn up the volume.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Using Double-Tap (1st & 2nd Generation)

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1
Wear your AirPods. There will be a built-in Force Sensor in the stem of the AirPods.
- Make sure your AirPods are paired to your device and fully charged.
- For 1st and 2nd Generation AirPods, double-tapping the Force Sensor will skip songs. To pause, you'll need to change your settings.
2
Open the Settings
app. This is the grey cog icon.
- Make sure your AirPods are paired to your device and fully charged.
- On newer versions of iOS, you can directly click your AirPods underneath your Apple ID.
This can be found underneath Wi-Fi.
Your AirPods should be listened underneath My Devices.
5
Tap Left or Right. Select the AirPod you want to customize.
- This will be underneath Double-Tap on Airpod.
- A new page will open.
- If your AirPods are not connected, you won't see the options to change your settings.
6
Tap Play/Pause. A blue check mark will appear next to the option.
- You can also select Siri, Next Track, Previous Track, or Off.
- Your AirPods will be ready to pause using double-tap.
You can use a music streaming service such as Apple Music, listen to a podcast on Spotify, or a video on YouTube. This will work for most medias that contain audio and enable pausing.
8
Double-tap the AirPod. Use the AirPod you customized in the previous steps.
- Your AirPod will pause the song.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using the Digital Crown (AirPods Max)

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Make sure your AirPods Max headset is paired to your device and fully charged.^{[3]
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You can use a music streaming service such as Apple Music, Spotify, or even YouTube.
3
Press the Digital Crown. This is the circular button at the top of the left ear.
- Your AirPods Max will pause your audio. To resume playback, press again.
- To skip a song, press the Digital Crown twice. To skip back, press the Digital Crown three times.