How to Control Volume on AirPods Without Touching Your iPhone

The fastest way to change AirPods volume

You can adjust AirPods volume three ways: ask Siri, use your iPhone or Mac, or swipe on the stem (on AirPods Pro and AirPods Max). The quickest method depends on which AirPods you own and what your hands are doing. If you're wearing them, Siri is fastest — say "Hey Siri, volume up" or "volume down". If your phone is in your hand, use the physical volume buttons on the side of your device. If you have AirPods Pro or AirPods Max, you can swipe the stem without touching anything else.

AirPods 2 and the original AirPods don't have touch controls for volume, so Siri or your device's buttons are your only options. The volume you set applies to whatever is playing — music, calls, podcasts, videos — and stays at that level until you change it again.

Key Takeaways

Say "Hey Siri, volume up" or "volume down" to adjust AirPods volume hands-free from anywhere.
Use your iPhone or Mac's physical volume buttons on the side of the device to change volume without speaking.
AirPods Pro and AirPods Max let you swipe up or down on the stem to control volume directly.
AirPods 2 and the original AirPods have no physical volume controls and require Siri or your device's buttons.
Volume adjustments affect all audio playing through your AirPods until you change it again.

Using Siri to control volume

Siri is the simplest method if your hands are full or your phone is out of reach. Say "Hey Siri" followed by "volume up", "volume down", or "set volume to 50 percent". Siri responds by adjusting the volume immediately and confirming the change out loud. This works on any AirPods model as long as Siri is turned on in your iPhone or Mac settings.

To enable Siri on iPhone, go to Settings > Siri & Search and toggle on "Listen for 'Hey Siri'". On Mac, open System Settings > Siri & Spotlight and check "Enable Ask Siri". Once enabled, you can control volume from anywhere — in the car, at your desk, or while exercising — without touching your device.

You can also ask Siri to mute or unmute audio by saying "Hey Siri, mute" or "unmute". This is useful if you need to silence your AirPods quickly during a call or meeting.

Adjusting volume with your iPhone or Mac

The physical volume buttons on the side of your iPhone or Mac are always available and don't require Siri. On iPhone, press the up button to increase volume and the down button to decrease it. On Mac, use the volume keys on your keyboard (usually F11 and F12, or the dedicated volume buttons on newer models). The volume adjusts in real time as you press, and a visual indicator appears on your screen showing the current level.

This method works with any AirPods model and is faster than speaking if you're already holding your phone. The volume buttons control only your AirPods if they're the active audio device — if you're playing sound through your Mac's speakers, the buttons adjust speaker volume instead. To switch which device controls the volume, make sure your AirPods are connected and selected as the audio output in your device's settings.

Swiping volume on AirPods Pro and AirPods Max

AirPods Pro (2nd generation and later) and AirPods Max have a touch stem that responds to swipes. Swipe up on the stem to increase volume and swipe down to decrease it. The stem is the white stick below the speaker on each earbud (or the band on AirPods Max). Swipe with your finger in a single motion — you should feel a small haptic feedback pulse confirming the adjustment.

This method is the fastest when your phone is not in your hand and you don't want to speak. You can make multiple swipes in quick succession to jump to a higher or lower volume. Unlike tapping the stem (which plays or pauses audio), swiping does not interrupt playback.

If swiping doesn't work, check that you're swiping in a straight line along the stem, not tapping or pressing. Also confirm that your AirPods Pro are updated to the latest firmware — Apple releases updates through the Bluetooth settings on your iPhone when your AirPods are nearby and charging.

Controlling volume during phone calls

During a call, the volume buttons on your device control the call volume specifically, not the overall system volume. This means you can adjust how loud the other person sounds without changing the volume of music or notifications. Press the up button to make the caller louder and the down button to make them quieter.

If you're using Siri during a call, say "volume up" or "volume down" and Siri adjusts the call volume. On AirPods Pro, swiping the stem also controls call volume during an active call. After the call ends, your volume returns to the level you set for music and other audio.

What to do if volume controls aren't working

If your AirPods volume won't change, first check that your AirPods are actually connected to your device. Open the Bluetooth settings on your iPhone or Mac and look for your AirPods in the list of connected devices. If they're not listed, forget them and reconnect: on iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the info icon next to your AirPods, and select "Forget This Device", then hold the setup button on your AirPods case until the light flashes white.

If Siri isn't responding, make sure "Listen for 'Hey Siri'" is enabled in your settings and that your device's microphone is working. Test by asking Siri something simple like "what time is it". If the physical volume buttons aren't working on AirPods Pro, restart your AirPods by placing them in the case for 10 seconds, then removing them. If the problem persists, update your AirPods firmware by keeping them near your iPhone with the case open.

For AirPods Max, make sure the Digital Crown (the dial on the right side) is not set to a custom volume level. You can reset the Digital Crown by going to Settings > AirPods > [Your AirPods Max] > Reset Digital Crown.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set a maximum volume limit on AirPods?

Yes. On iPhone, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Headphone Safety and toggle on "Reduce Loud Sounds". You can then set a maximum decibel level. On Mac, open System Settings > Sound and check "Reduce loud sounds" under the Headphone Safety section. This prevents accidental hearing damage if volume jumps unexpectedly.

Why does volume reset when I switch devices?

AirPods remember the volume level for each device separately. When you switch from your iPhone to your Mac, the volume may be different because you set it differently on that device previously. Adjust the volume on the new device and it will remember that level the next time you connect.

Can I control AirPods volume from my Apple Watch?

Yes. On your Apple Watch, swipe up from the bottom to open Control Center, then tap the volume icon and use the up and down arrows to adjust AirPods volume. You can also use Siri on your Watch by pressing and holding the Digital Crown and saying "volume up" or "volume down".

Do AirPods 2 have any physical volume controls?

No. AirPods 2 and the original AirPods only respond to Siri commands and your device's volume buttons. They do not have touch controls for volume. If you need stem-based volume control, you would need to upgrade to AirPods Pro or AirPods Max.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.