Useful feature: AirPods and Beats earbuds go to sleep
With iOS 26, you can set various popular earphones from Apple and Beats to recognize when you fall asleep. Then it automatically goes to pause.
AirPods Pro 2: Soon with sleep function.
(Image: Apple)
Anyone who likes to take a nap with their Apple or Beats earbuds will quickly learn to appreciate a new function planned for iOS 26: in the future, the devices will be able to detect when the wearer has fallen asleep and then switch off automatically. The function, which has already been rumored in advance, will work with both AirPods and current Beats models. This was discovered by leak expert Steve Moser.
Sleep detected, podcast paused
It is currently still unclear which Beats models support the feature – The Studio Buds and the Powerbeats Pro 2 are conceivable. Apple has also not yet commented on the AirPods – so it remains unclear which generations will receive the function and whether the AirPods Max will also be included. Technically, the headphones' acceleration sensor is used to determine whether the user is moving.
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Apple first publicly announced the function at the WWDC 2025 developer conference, but did not mention Beats products. There will be a switch called “Pause Media When Falling Asleep”. This will ensure that the music, podcast, or audiobook pauses automatically. It is unclear whether the earbuds will wake up again automatically and continue playing when the user gets up.
Function is activated automatically, requires new firmware
iOS 26 appears to activate the function automatically, as reported by beta testers. However, a firmware update for AirPods and Beats is also required to use it. For the first time, Apple will create the option to manually trigger firmware updates for its audio devices in iOS 26 and the like, so you no longer have to wait.
Apple has not yet announced another new AirPods function: according to rumors, a live translation function for the earbuds is planned. A connected iPhone recognizes the language of the communication partner and then translates it directly. This is done bidirectionally: users receive the result in the earbuds, and the translation of their words is output via the iPhone speaker. It is not yet clear when the function will appear. Apple apparently wanted to avoid delays if the company announces too many new features.
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