To turn off AirPod announcements, you need to adjust Siri's notification settings and disable Automatic Ear Detection on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. These two controls stop Siri from reading messages and alerts aloud through your AirPods, and prevent connection-status announcements from playing when you insert or remove them.
Disable Siri's notification announcements on iPhone
This setting controls whether Siri reads incoming messages, calls, and app notifications through your AirPods. To stop these interruptions entirely:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap Notifications.
- Tap Announce Notifications.
- Turn the toggle off to disable all announcement reading.
If you want to keep announcements for some apps but silence others, tap Announce Messages From or Announce Calls and customize per app or contact. This is useful when you still want important alerts but need quiet during music or meetings. Do Not Disturb and silent mode also suppress announcements without changing the core setting, though they affect all notifications, not just AirPods. Disabling 'Announce Messages' may also disable the ability to have incoming messages read aloud when AirPods are connected. You can also toggle off 'Announce Calls' if you don't want your AirPods to announce incoming calls.
Turn off Automatic Ear Detection
Automatic Ear Detection triggers audio routing and connection announcements when you put AirPods in or take them out. Disabling it stops those spoken status updates.
On iPhone or iPad
- Wear your AirPods.
- Go to Settings > Bluetooth > tap the info (i) icon next to AirPods.
- If you see Automatic Ear Detection, turn it off. If not, tap Audio & Routing first, then turn it off.
On Mac
- Wear your AirPods.
- Open System Settings > [your AirPods name].
- If not, click Audio & Routing first, then turn it off.
This setting is available for AirPods and AirPods Pro. Disabling it means audio won’t pause or route automatically when you remove an earbud, but it stops the connection announcements. On macOS, disable sound effects by unchecking 'Play sound effects through this device' in Sound Effects tab of Sound preferences.
Update your AirPods firmware
Outdated firmware can cause unexpected audio behaviors, including unwanted announcements. Firmware updates happen automatically, but you can trigger the process:
- Make sure your iPhone, iPad, or Mac is updated to the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS, and that Bluetooth is on.
- Ensure your AirPods are connected to that device via Bluetooth.
- Connect the device to Wi‑Fi.
- Connect the charging case to a power source.
- Put your AirPods in the case and close the lid.
- Keep the lid closed for at least 30 minutes.
- Open the lid to reconnect the AirPods, then check the firmware version in Settings.
For AirPods Max, plug the charging cable into the bottom of the right earphone instead of using the case.
When announcements are still playing
If items are being read aloud on your screen while AirPods are connected, check whether VoiceOver is enabled. Turn it off in Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver if you do not need it.
No Android app or menu path exists in Apple’s support pages to disable these announcements, so the only options are to reduce volume on the Android device or use third-party apps at your own risk. On Android, disable Spoken Feedback or Spoken Notifications in Sound Accessibility settings to stop AirPod announcements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning off Automatic Ear Detection affect battery life?
No. Disabling Automatic Ear Detection stops audio routing and announcements but does not significantly change battery drain. The AirPods still connect via Bluetooth and play audio normally.
Can I stop announcements without losing Siri?
Yes. Disabling Announce Notifications in Settings only stops Siri from reading alerts aloud. You can still activate Siri manually with a tap or voice command.
Why do I still hear “Connected” after disabling both settings?
Some third-party apps or device sound effects may produce connection tones. Check your iPhone’s Sound & Haptics settings for system sounds, and ensure no other accessibility features like Spoken Content are enabled.
Do AirPods Pro have different announcement controls than standard AirPods?
No. The same settings, Announce Notifications and Automatic Ear Detection, apply to both AirPods and AirPods Pro. The controls are identical on supported devices.
Can I adjust announcement volume separately from media volume?
The only volume adjustments are the system media volume and Siri volume, which affect all audio output.
Can I customize the voice announcements on my AirPods?
Apple does not provide customization options; you can only enable or disable them as a whole feature.
Do I need an active internet connection to turn off the voice announcements on AirPods?
No, all necessary settings are within your iOS device's settings.
