iOS 26 Could Bring Sleep Detection, Camera Controls, and New Gestures to AirPods

Apple is expected to introduce several groundbreaking features to AirPods with the upcoming iOS 26 and macOS 26 updates, potentially enhancing how users interact with their devices. Here’s everything we know so far.

New Head Gestures for Enhanced AirPods Control

iOS 26 may add new head gestures for AirPods, building on 2023's nod and shake controls for calls, with a possible gesture to adjust Conversation Awareness volume for easier hands-free audio control.

Sleep Detection with Auto-Pause

Apple is working on an auto-pause feature for AirPods that detects when a user falls asleep and pauses playback, likely using sleep data from the Apple Watch since AirPods lack built-in sleep tracking.

AirPods as a Remote Camera Trigger

A rumored feature may let users trigger the iPhone camera with a press on the AirPods stem, possibly using a timer to avoid capturing mid-gesture, making hands-free photography easier than ever.

Studio-Quality Microphone Enhancement

Apple may add a “studio quality” mic mode to AirPods, similar to iPhone’s Audio Mix, letting users pick sound profiles like studio or cinematic to enhance recordings and calls.

Better Pairing with Shared iPads

Apple is improving how AirPods pair with shared iPads, simplifying setup in classrooms, and making them more convenient for students using shared devices.

Live Translate Feature Could Be Coming

Apple may add live translation to AirPods, enabling real-time conversation translation between languages—ideal for travelers and multilingual communication.

Compatibility and Availability

It remains unclear whether these new features will be available on all AirPods models or restricted to premium versions like the AirPods Pro.

When Will These Features Be Announced?

Apple is set to unveil iOS 26 and macOS 26 during the WWDC 2025 keynote on Monday, June 9. That’s when we expect to hear official details about these exciting new AirPods functionalities.