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AirPods Snooze: Auto-Pause Your Audio When You Sleep
24 Nov
Summary
- New iOS 26 feature pauses audio when AirPods detect sleep.
- Requires AirPods Pro 2, Pro 3, or AirPods 4.
- Feature uses accelerometers, not heart rate, for detection.
Apple has introduced a new sleep detection capability for specific AirPods models as part of recent iOS 26 updates. This feature, which must be manually enabled in iPhone settings, automatically pauses audio playback when the AirPods detect that the user has fallen asleep. It is compatible with AirPods Pro 2, Pro 3, and AirPods 4.
The sleep detection mechanism relies on the internal accelerometer within the AirPods. This sensor, also responsible for pausing media when earbuds are removed, likely detects a lack of movement indicative of sleep. Unlike the Apple Watch, these AirPods do not passively track heart rate for sleep analysis; this functionality would require initiating a workout in the Fitness app.
Users can activate this feature by navigating to their AirPods settings within their iPhone's settings menu and toggling on "Pause Media When Falling Asleep." Initial testing indicates the feature effectively pauses media a few minutes after sleep onset, enhancing the listening experience for travelers or anyone prone to dozing off.
