Airpods Battery Dies Fast: How to Extend Your AirPods Battery Life Easily

AirPods are known for their convenience and portability, but like all wireless devices, they rely on battery power to function. If you've noticed your AirPods' battery life starting to decline, there are several easy ways to extend it. By making a few adjustments to your usage habits and settings, you can maximize your AirPods' battery performance and enjoy longer listening sessions. In this blog, we’ll cover simple tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your AirPods battery life.

Keep Your AirPods in the Charging Case When Not in Use

One of the simplest ways to extend your AirPods' battery life is to keep them in their charging case when you’re not using them. The case not only protects the AirPods from damage but also recharges them whenever they’re stored inside. Avoid leaving your AirPods out in the open or carrying them in your pocket without the case, as this can drain the battery over time. By always storing your AirPods in their case, you ensure they’re charged and ready to go when you need them.

• Turn Off Automatic Ear Detection

Automatic Ear Detection is a convenient feature that pauses your audio when you remove an AirPod from your ear and resumes playback when you put it back in. However, this feature constantly uses sensors to detect whether the AirPods are in your ears, which can drain the battery faster. If you’re looking to extend battery life, consider turning off Automatic Ear Detection:

1. Go to Settings > Bluetooth on your iPhone.
2. Tap the info (i) icon next to your AirPods.
3. Toggle off Automatic Ear Detection.

By disabling this feature, your AirPods will continue playing audio even when they’re removed from your ears, so make sure to manually pause your media when necessary.

• Lower the Volume

Listening at high volumes can quickly drain your AirPods' battery. The louder the audio, the more power your AirPods need to deliver it. By lowering the volume, you can reduce the strain on the battery and extend your listening time. Not only does this save battery life, but it also protects your hearing in the long run.

• Use One AirPod at a Time

If you’re in a situation where you don’t need both AirPods in at once, consider using just one AirPod at a time. This can effectively double your listening time by allowing one AirPod to charge while you use the other. For phone calls, podcasts, or background music, using a single AirPod can be a great way to extend battery life. When the first AirPods battery runs low, simply switch to the other one.

To use a single AirPod:

1. Take one AirPod out of the case and leave the other inside.
2. Your device will automatically route the audio to the AirPod in use.

• Disable Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode (For AirPods Pro)

AirPods Pro comes with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency mode, which are great for immersive listening and staying aware of your surroundings. However, both features consume more battery than the standard listening mode. If battery life is your priority, consider turning off ANC and Transparency mode when they’re not necessary:

1. Go to the Control Center on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Press and hold the volume slider to reveal the noise control options.
3. Select Off to disable both ANC and Transparency mode.

Using your AirPods Pro in standard mode can significantly extend battery life, especially during longer listening sessions.

• Keep Your AirPods Firmware Updated

Apple regularly releases firmware updates for AirPods that can improve performance and, in some cases, optimize battery life. Your AirPods should update automatically when connected to an Apple device, but it’s a good idea to check for updates periodically:

1. Ensure your AirPods are connected to your iPhone or iPad.
2. Make sure your AirPods are in the charging case and near your device.
3. Keep your iPhone or iPad connected to Wi-Fi, and the firmware update should install automatically.

Firmware updates can include battery life improvements, so keeping your AirPods up to date is an easy way to ensure they’re operating at peak efficiency.

• Avoid AirPod Extreme Temperatures

Exposing your AirPods to extreme temperatures can negatively affect their battery performance. Both

high heat and freezing cold can reduce battery life and potentially damage the battery itself. Apple recommends using AirPods in temperatures between 32°F and 95°F (0°C to 35°C). Here are a few tips to protect your AirPods from temperature extremes:

1. Avoid leaving your AirPods in a hot car or directly in the sun.
2. Keep them in a temperature-controlled environment when not in use.
3. Avoid using your AirPods in freezing weather for extended periods.

By keeping your AirPods within the recommended temperature range, you can help preserve their battery life over time.

• Enable Optimized Battery Charging

Starting with iOS 14, Apple introduced an Optimized Battery Charging feature that learns your charging habits and prevents your AirPods from overcharging. This feature helps extend the overall lifespan of your AirPods' battery by reducing the amount of time they spend fully charged, which can degrade the battery over time. To enable Optimized Battery Charging:

1. Go to Settings > Bluetooth.
2. Tap the info (i) icon next to your AirPods.
3. Toggle on Optimized Battery Charging.

With this feature enabled, your AirPods will delay full charging until you’re likely to need them, which can prolong the battery’s longevity.

• Charge Your AirPods Regularly

Keeping your AirPods charged regularly, rather than letting the battery drain completely, can help maintain their battery health. Lithium-ion batteries, like the ones in AirPods, degrade over time if they are constantly discharged to 0%. To extend the life of your AirPods’ battery, try to keep them charged and avoid letting them fully deplete.

1. Charge your AirPods when they reach around 20-30% battery.
2. Keep your charging case topped up, so it’s ready to recharge your AirPods when needed.

• Use Third-Party Battery Management Apps (For Android Users)

If you’re using AirPods with an Android device, you may not have access to the same battery management features as iPhone users. However, third-party apps like AirBattery or Assistant Trigger can help you monitor your AirPods’ battery levels and even alert you when the battery is running low. These apps can help you manage your AirPods’ power usage more effectively on non-Apple devices.

Extending your AirPods' battery life doesn’t require any complicated hacks or extensive changes to your routine. By following these simple tips—such as storing your AirPods in their case, adjusting settings like Automatic Ear Detection and noise cancellation, and keeping your firmware updated—you can get more out of each charge and preserve your AirPods’ battery health over time. With just a few adjustments, you’ll be able to enjoy your AirPods for longer and reduce the need for frequent recharging.