Apple isn’t ready to offer users a standalone AirPods app this year, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. However, the Reporter has learned that the AirPods Settings menu could be getting a significant overhaul that would make it easier to use.
Gurman says Apple is aware of the criticism about the current experience of managing AirPods settings, which is why it’s changing the Settings menu for the wireless earbuds in iOS 27. Gurman says the new menu will be “more functional, better organized, and more streamlined.” It’s unclear exactly what this means, with the Bloomberg reporter adding that AirPods settings might be easier to manage after the iOS 27 update, including key AirPods features. While Gurman’s predictions don’t guarantee that Apple will release these features in iOS 27, the Bloomberg reporter has been specific about other unreleased Apple products in the past.
A dedicated AirPods app would be even better
Gurman says a standalone AirPods app won’t be available “this year,” a distinction suggesting such an option could be available in future versions of iOS. An AirPods app wouldn’t be unique, as the Apple Watch and Vision Pro already have standalone apps to manage them. Likewise, some third-party wireless earbuds come with standalone apps that allow owners to personalize the experience. AirPods could benefit from a standalone app, which could be particularly useful for managing more complex features available on more expensive models, like the AirPods Pro 3. This wouldn’t be the first time Apple has turned a Settings menu into a standalone app. The company did this with iOS 18 by releasing a standalone passwords app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac, rather than keeping the password manager hidden in the Settings app.
For example, to set up and manage the AirPods Pro hearing aid feature, you need to use the Settings app to start a hearing test. After the test, users will need to access the same menu to manage the experience, but they won’t be able to do so without the headphones. Similarly, to check the firmware version of AirPods, users need to put on the earbuds to see the AirPods menu in the Settings app. Additionally, AirPods update automatically while in the charging case, but there is no manual update option.
In the absence of an AirPods app, a permanent AirPods menu in the Settings app for iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 would be appreciated, especially if Gurman’s reports prove true and Apple revamps the AirPods settings menu this year.
