AirPods 5 – Fix Earbuds Auto Play/Pause, by HardReset.Info on YouTube. 8 min 4 s.
- Video length
- 8 min 4 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Open Settings on your iPhone and go to Bluetooth. Tap the info button next to your AirPods 5 to open their settings menu.
Find Automatic Ear Detection under the Audio and Routing section and turn the switch off. This stops playback from pausing when you take an earbud out.
Put both earbuds in the case and close the lid, then reopen it to reconnect. Test playback to confirm the change took effect.
Wipe the in-ear mesh sensor on each earbud with a dry microfiber cloth. If it is greasy, dampen the cloth with a little rubbing alcohol and let it dry fully.
Clean the gesture sensor area on the stem of each earbud. Use a dry cotton swab and avoid pressing liquid into the openings.
Open Settings, then Accessibility, then AirPods. Adjust the Press Speed slider so a normal squeeze registers as one press instead of a double press.
Play a song in a different music app such as Spotify or YouTube Music. If playback behaves normally, the problem is in your usual app.
Update or reinstall the music app that misbehaves. Delete it, reinstall it from the App Store, and sign back in.
Tips and common mistakes
Never run water or alcohol directly into the earbud openings; dampen the cloth or swab instead.
If auto pause returns after cleaning, check the sensor mesh for lint with a flashlight before changing settings again.
Turn Automatic Ear Detection back on once the issue is fixed if you want music to pause when you remove an earbud.
Questions
Why do my AirPods 5 pause when I take one out?
That is Automatic Ear Detection working as designed. Turn it off in the Bluetooth info menu if you want playback to continue.
Will cleaning the sensors void my warranty?
No, gentle cleaning with a dry cloth is fine. Avoid sharp tools and liquids, which can damage the mesh and sensors.
Do I need to reset the AirPods to factory settings?
Usually not. Try the settings change and cleaning first, and only reset the earbuds if the problem continues.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
