After nearly a decade of waiting, AirPods users are finally getting a feature they’ve asked for since day one. Custom EQ.
Apple said in its WWDC 2026 press release that custom EQ is coming. It’s buried in the “Additional features coming this fall” section, right between iCloud Shared Albums and the new Apple Maps Flyover. But for anyone who’s ever wished their AirPods had more bass or clearer vocals, it’s the headline news.
I covered the full WWDC 2026 recap here if you want the bird’s-eye view. This piece zooms in on the AirPods change because after ten years, it deserves its own spotlight.
What the custom EQ actually does
iOS 27 adds a 3-band equalizer to the AirPods settings pane. You get three adjustment points: Low, Mid, and High. Each one lets you drag a dot up or down to boost or cut that frequency range.
The killer detail is the live waveform preview. MacRumors reported that whatever audio you’re playing shows up as a waveform right in the EQ settings. You adjust the sliders, and the visual feedback updates in real time. Pick your favorite song, tweak until it sounds right, and done.
This is a system-level EQ, not an app-level one. That means the profile sticks with your AirPods across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It’s not locked to Apple Music either. It applies to everything: Spotify, YouTube, podcasts, phone calls, games.
Which AirPods support it
The custom EQ works on the latest models:
- AirPods 4: the standard model
- AirPods Pro 3: the mid-range with ANC
- AirPods Max 2: the over-ear flagship
No word on whether older models like AirPods Pro 2 or original AirPods Max will get it. Given that the feature requires iOS 27 and an AirPods firmware update, I’d guess it’s limited to the hardware generations that ship with the latest firmware support cycle. If you’re on an older pair, this might be the push to upgrade.
Where to find it
It’s tucked away but easy to find once you know where to look:
- Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad
- Tap your AirPods at the top (or find them in Bluetooth > the “i” icon)
- Select Audio & Routing
- Tap Equalizer
- Choose Custom and drag the three dots
There’s also a Recommended option that keeps Apple’s default tuning, plus the new Custom mode for manual adjustments.
The decade-long gap
The original AirPods launched in 2016. For nine years, the only audio customization you got was fixed presets in Apple Music. Acoustic, Jazz, Hip-Hop, that sort of thing. And those only applied inside Apple Music, not across the whole system.
Every major audio competitor has offered some form of EQ for years. Sony’s WH-1000X series has had it. Samsung’s Galaxy Buds have had it. Even budget earbuds from Anker and JLab ship with companion apps that let you tweak the sound.
AirPods have been the best-selling earbuds on the planet without offering this basic feature. It’s taken Apple until 2026 to ship it.
One more thing
The press release also mentions expanded GymKit support. AirPods Pro 3 users can now sync their heart rate data through iPhone while listening. It’s a small quality-of-life addition for anyone who works out with AirPods, but the EQ is the real news.
Custom EQ is available for developer testing in iOS 27 Beta 1 starting yesterday, June 8th.. A public beta arrives next month. General release this fall alongside the rest of iOS 27.
If you’ve been on the fence about upgrading your AirPods, the latest models should be on sale soon for Prime Day. The custom EQ alone might make it worth jumping in.
