Live Listen in iOS 15 is an Apple accessibility feature that turns your iPhone or iPad into a remote microphone, streaming audio directly to your AirPods, Beats, or compatible Made for iPhone (MFi) hearing devices. It helps you hear conversations, lectures, or other sounds more clearly in noisy or distant situations.
What is live listen in iOS 15?
Live Listen is an Apple accessibility feature that uses the microphone on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to capture sound and send it wirelessly to compatible hearing devices, AirPods, or supported Beats headphones. It is not exclusive to iOS 15; Apple documents the feature for devices running iOS or iPadOS 14.3 or later. The feature acts as a personal amplifier, letting you place your device near a sound source, like a speaker across a room, and hear it clearly through your connected audio gear.
Supported devices and requirements
Live Listen with AirPods and Beats works with AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, Powerbeats Pro, Beats Fit Pro, and Powerbeats Fit. Your iPhone or iPad must be running iOS or iPadOS 14.3 or later. For MFi hearing devices, Live Listen works with any iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch that has the hearing device connected via Bluetooth. Live Listen can be used with iPod touch for MFi hearing devices. The feature is also compatible with many MFi hearing aids, which are designed for seamless wireless audio connections and are covered in Apple's Wireless Audio and Connection Guides. Live Listen requires a compatible headset or hearing aid to work; ensure your device supports Live Listen and is properly connected.
How to enable live listen on iOS 15
There are three verified ways to turn on Live Listen on your iPhone or iPad running iOS 15.
- Settings path for all compatible devices: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual > Live Listen, then tap Start Live Listen.
- Settings path for MFi hearing devices: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Hearing Devices, tap your device name, then tap Start Live Listen.
- Accessibility Shortcut method: If you have set up the Accessibility Shortcut, triple-click the side button or Home button, tap Hearing Devices, then tap Live Listen.
Using live listen with AirPods or Beats from Control Center
For AirPods and supported Beats headphones, the quickest way to start Live Listen is through Control Center. First, make sure the Hearing control is added: go to Settings > Control Center, then tap the + next to Hearing. Once added, to enable Live Listen via Control Center, swipe down from the upper-right corner (Face ID) or swipe up from the bottom (Home button) to open Control Center, tap the Hearing control (the ear icon), then tap Live Listen. You can also open Control Center, tap your hearing device or AirPods, then tap Live Listen.
Adjusting volume and positioning the microphone
If you cannot hear well enough, adjust the volume using the physical volume buttons on your iPhone or iPad. There are no separate Live Listen-specific volume sliders or gain controls in iOS 15. Environmental filters can be enabled under Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual > Live Listen > Environmental Filters to reduce noise. The mono audio option is available at Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual > Mono Audio for users with hearing loss in one ear. Equalizer settings can be adjusted via Settings > Music > EQ to optimize sound output during Live Listen. For best results, place your iPhone or iPad near the sound source you want to amplify, and keep the device within Bluetooth range of your connected audio gear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Live Listen work with all MFi hearing aids?
Live Listen works with any Made for iPhone (MFi) hearing device that is connected to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Check with your hearing aid manufacturer to confirm MFi compatibility.
What is the Bluetooth range for Live Listen?
The feature relies on your device's Bluetooth connection, so typical Bluetooth range applies, usually around 30 feet (10 meters) in open space, though walls and interference can reduce it.
Can I use Live Listen on Android?
No.
Does Live Listen work with non-Apple headphones?
Live Listen is designed for AirPods, supported Beats headphones, and MFi hearing devices.
Is Live Listen only for people with hearing loss?
While Live Listen is an accessibility feature primarily intended for users with hearing difficulties, anyone can use it to amplify distant sounds, such as a speaker in a lecture hall or a conversation in a noisy room.
For the wider topic, see wireless audio connections.
