AirPods Gain Custom EQ and a New Settings Interface in Apple's iOS 27 Update

AirPods are getting a set of new features with Apple's iOS 27, which the company showed off at its annual developer conference on June 8, 2026. The update brings custom sound controls and a cleaner settings layout to Apple's earbuds, and the best part is that no new hardware is required to take advantage of them.

Custom EQ arrives
The biggest change is custom EQ, which lets you adjust how your AirPods sound instead of sticking to the fixed audio profiles AirPods have used so far. You can shape the output to match your own taste, whether you want more bass for music or clearer vocals for podcasts. It is the kind of fine control that headphone fans have asked Apple for over several releases.

A redesigned settings menu
iOS 27 also reorganizes the AirPods settings page. Apple has added many features over the years, from spatial audio to hearing health tools, and the new layout groups them so options are easier to find. The menu still opens the same way, from the AirPods entry near the top of Settings once your earbuds are connected.

Works with the new Siri
AirPods will also work with Apple's new Siri AI in iOS 27, tying the earbuds more closely to the assistant for hands-free control, quick answers, and spoken notifications you can act on without reaching for your phone.

Which models are covered
Apple released early firmware for the AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Pro 3 alongside the iOS 27 beta, so current owners are in line for the new features rather than needing to buy fresh hardware. The same custom EQ and interface changes also reach iPadOS 27 and the latest version of macOS, so the experience stays consistent whether you pair your AirPods with an iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

When you can get it
iOS 27 is in beta now and is expected to reach everyone later in 2026, in line with Apple's usual autumn software schedule. Firmware updates install on their own while the AirPods sit in their case near a connected iPhone on Wi-Fi, so most owners will get the features automatically without any extra steps once the update ships.

Style and protect your AirPods with Komodoty
New features are a good reason to take better care of the AirPods you already own. Komodoty makes fitted AirPods cases in premium materials such as Alcantara and aramid fiber, with secure covers that keep the charging case free of scratches and scuffs while staying easy to carry. Browse the options in the Komodoty AirPods cases collection.