Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Quick video showing you how to use the Apple Airpod Pro 2 3 and 4 stem sensor to adjust volume, play or pause songs, to receive or end phone calls.
AirPods Pro 2 3 and 4 Controls
Press Once
Play or pause music
Answer a phone call
Mute or unmute your microphone during a call
Press Twice
Skip to the next song
End the current call
Press Three Times
Go back to the previous song
Press and Hold
Switch between:
Active Noise Cancellation
Transparency Mode
Adaptive Audio (if enabled)
Or activate Siri if you've assigned the press-and-hold action to Siri.
Swipe Up or Down (Volume Control)

This is one of the biggest upgrades on the AirPods Pro 2.

To adjust the volume:

Wear your AirPods Pro 2.
Place your finger on the flat stem.
Lightly swipe upward to increase the volume.
Lightly swipe downward to decrease the volume.

Unlike the other controls, you don't press—you simply glide your finger along the stem.

AirPods Max Controls

AirPods Max do not use swiping gestures. Instead, they use the Digital Crown and the Noise Control button.

Digital Crown
Press once: Play or pause
Double-press: Next track
Triple-press: Previous track
Turn the crown: Raise or lower the volume
Press and hold: Activate Siri
Noise Control Button

Press the button once to switch between:

Active Noise Cancellation
Transparency Mode
Adaptive Audio (on supported models)
Tip

Many new AirPods Pro users try to tap the stem like older AirPods. That won't work well. Instead:

Pinch (press) the stem for playback controls.
Slide your finger up or down the stem for volume.
You'll feel and hear a subtle click when you press the force sensor, confirming the command was recognized. #airpodspro

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