In iOS17, Apple added the ability to mute and unmute conversations through the surface of the AirPods and Airpod Pros. For anyone that travels a great deal for business or is often on work calls in noisy environments, this will be a game changer.
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Testing of AirPod mute function
Since Apple’s September 17th, 2023 release of iOS 17, I’ve been testing the Mute Unmute function (as well as a number new features) on my AirPod Pros (Generation 1). I’ve tested this feature on a variety of work phone and Microsoft Teams calls at home, in the office, and while traveling for business. I’m not just testing these functions in a laboratory or made up environment, these are real business interactions that I’m evaluating the technology.
What changed to enable AirPod mute
While Apple should have rolled this functionality out years ago, it released it as pat of iOS 17. As a part of that update, it released updated Airpod firmware (the software that runs on a device). The Airpod firmware update is backward compatible with earlier generation AirPods and AirPod Pros. To access the mute / unmute feature, you’ll need AirPod firmware 6A300 (or later).
How to enable AirPod mute functionality
You need the latest version of either iOS or MacOS in order to get the newest AirPod functionality (6A300 or later) to your headphones. Stepwise, this means that you need to update your Apple device to iOS 17 (for iPhone / iPad) or MacOS Sonoma (on Macbook or other Apple computers).
Once you’ve updated your core device, the next time you connect your AirPods it should push the new firmware to them. After the Airpods firmware has been updated to 6A300 (or later), you’ll be able to access mute and unmute.
The default setting for mute unmute is to double click the stem or pad of your Airpods. I found this a bit annoying because it’s prone to only getting one click (which drops / ends calls). I would highly recommend changing the settings so that a single click mutes / unmutes and a double click ends the call.
How do I change the settings for Airpod mute unmute?
First bring your Airpod case close to your device and open it (so that the device recognizes it). To change your Airpod settings, go to Settings >> Airpods (should be at the top w/ a gray Airpods logo) >> Call Controls menu.
At the Call Control menu, you can configure your Airpod behaviors to you preferences. I’m a huge fan of changing the mute / unmute to a single click (and moving end call to a double click) to prevent from accidently dropping calls.
iOS mute unmute review
As someone that is constantly on work calls on my Airpod Pros, I’m absolutely in love with the mute unmute functionality. Prior to this firmware update, I used either the app mute functionality or the default iOS calls screen to toggle between mute and unmute while on calls. Between loud kids in the background, travel noise, or other unwanted background chaos, I always want to shield coworkers and customers from these distractions. Some of this is also my history as an Army officer (never wanting to be the guy with a ‘hot mic’ on a radio).
Now with the Airpod mute unmute, I can toggle this functionality without having to navigate to the app or fish the phone out of my pocket. I think this will be a great upgrade for consultants or other business travelers who are on the move.
During testing, I did discover that the default double click to access mute unmute is a bit problematic and can lead to dropped calls. To fix this, navigate to the Call Control menu in the Airpods settings and change it to single click for mute and double click for end call.
What apps does the AirPod mute unmute work with?
So far, the AirPod mute functionality works with:
- iPhone phone calls
- FaceTime
- Microsoft Teams calls
- Zoom calls
- Skype calls
- WhatsApp Calls
- Google Hangouts calls
I’ll keep updating this list as I test additional apps for Mute Unmute functionality.
Which Airpod models can access the Mute Unmute feature?
The Mute or Unmute feature will work on the first- and second-gen AirPods Pro, as well as the third-gen AirPods and the AirPods Max. If you’re thinking about upgrading from a different set of headphones or an older generation of Airpods. Now is a great time and you can start taking advantage of the USB-C charging cases.
Airpod Pro Alternatives
There are many airpod-type headphones on the market, but one low-cost, Bluetooth, over-the-ear headphones that we recommend are the Phonicgrid SE7. We wrote an in-depth review of these <$50 headphones.
