How to Make AirPods Louder: 9 Hacks

So, you’re vibing to your favorite playlist or mid-Zoom meeting when it hits you—can I make my AirPods louder? You’re not imagining things. Whether you’re rocking AirPods, AirPods Pro, or even the classic earbuds, that sudden drop in volume can be super annoying.

But guess what? You’re totally not alone—and you’re in the right place. This guide is here to walk you through all the common reasons your AirPods sound low—and, more importantly, how to fix them. From sneaky Bluetooth bugs to sound settings you didn’t even know existed, we’ll cover it all.

By the end, you’ll know how to fix the volume on your AirPods, tweak bass, and make everything sound clearer and crisper. Because let’s be honest—music (and meetings) are just better when you can actually hear them.

Why Is the Volume in My AirPods So Low?

Let’s begin with the basics before unrooting the cause. There are several reasons why your AirPods sound low:

a. Volume limit settings

This is a prominent reason why AirPods sound low at full volume. You see, Apple really wants to save your ears from long-term damage, which is why they’ve built in volume limiters. If the “Reduce Loud Audio” toggle in Settings is turned on, your AirPods will never go full blast. Even maxing out your volume won’t push the sound past a certain level. Worth checking if things feel too quiet.

b. Earwax or debris

It’s not glamorous, but it’s super common—earwax, dust, or lint can block the tiny speaker grilles on your AirPods, dulling your audio or making it sound muffled. Even a thin layer can make a big difference, so a quick clean might be all you need to fix it.

c. Bluetooth issues

A weak or buggy Bluetooth connection can mess with more than just pairing—it could be why the volume in your AirPods is so low. If the signal between your AirPods/Earpods and device keeps dropping or lagging, audio data might not be transmitted properly. This can result in reduced volume or laggy playback. 

d. Low-power mode or battery saver

Low Power Mode or Battery Saver is awesome for battery life…but not so much for blasting your favorite tunes. Some devices lower system performance (including sound output!) when battery-saving features are turned on.  

e. Imbalanced audio settings

Is one side of your AirPods louder than the other? Perhaps only one Bluetooth earbud works at a time? It could be your audio balance settings. There’s a toggle hiding in Accessibility > Audio/Visual that shifts sound between your left and right ear. This imbalance can make your overall volume seem low or uneven.

How Do I Fix the Volume on My AirPods?

Here’s a step-by-step guide to make AirPods sound louder and clearer again:

1. Check the volume limit in iPhone settings

First things first—your iPhone might be playing volume police. Then, how do you increase the volume limit on your AirPods via your phone? Go to:

Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Headphone Safety

You’ll see an option called “Reduce Loud Audio.” If it’s enabled and set to something like 75–80 decibels, it might be holding your AirPods back. Try toggling it off completely, or set it to a higher limit like 100 dB. You should notice an instant improvement in maximum volume.

2. Turn off Low Power Mode

When your iPhone enters Low Power Mode, it doesn’t just dim the screen and cut background refresh—it may also limit your audio output to conserve energy.

Go to:

Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode and toggle it off.

Once it’s off, test your volume again. You’ll often hear a more dynamic, full sound with richer volume and better clarity. This is especially noticeable if you’re using resource-heavy apps like Spotify or YouTube.

3. Check audio balance

If your music sounds lopsided or one AirPod is quieter than the other, your audio balance might be off, especially if you’ve ever customized accessibility features.

Here’s how to make AirPods louder in settings:

 Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual

Look for the “Balance” slider. Make sure it’s centered—right in the middle between left and right. Sometimes, even a tiny nudge to the left or right can throw off the whole experience. Here, center = harmony.

4. Clean your AirPods (Carefully!)

Gunk (read dirt, dust, or earwax) happens. Here’s how to clean your AirPods to make them louder:

• Use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth to wipe down the exterior.
• With a soft-bristle toothbrush or toothpick, gently dislodge any visible dirt or wax around the speaker mesh. Be delicate—no digging!
• Place the AirPod near a shop-vac or mini vacuum nozzle and give it a quick pulse to suck out fine debris
• Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol, squeeze out excess liquid, and lightly clean around the speaker grille and sensors
  

 You’d be shocked how much louder they sound once clean!

5. Update your device and apps

Sometimes, your AirPods aren’t the issue; your device or apps just need a digital refresh. Bugs, outdated Bluetooth firmware, or app glitches can all lower volume or mess with balance.

To keep things running smoothly:

• iOS device update: Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates.
  
• Apps: If you’re using Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Music, check the App Store for updates and install the latest versions.

6. Update your AirPod firmware

Keeping your AirPods’ firmware up to date ensures they’re working at their absolute best—volume included. Updates can improve audio quality, fix bugs, and even help battery performance.

Here’s how:

• Place your AirPods in their charging case, and make sure they’re at least partially charged.
• Connect the case to power via Lightning, USB-C, or MagSafe
• Keep your iPhone or iPad nearby (connected to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth)
• Then, just let it be. If an update is pending, just leave the case plugged in next to your iPhone overnight

7. Use the EQ Settings in Apple Music

If you’re listening through Apple Music, a cool little trick can make music louder on your AirPods.

Go to:
Settings > Music > EQ
Then select “Late Night.”

This setting compresses the dynamic range, meaning it evens out the loud and soft parts of a song or podcast so everything plays at a consistently higher volume. Great for softer tracks or late-night binge-listening. 

8. Adjust the volume with Siri

Siri can be your sound control sidekick. This hack of making Apple earbuds sound louder is especially helpful if you’ve accidentally limited the volume using the Control Center or volume buttons on your phone. 

Try saying:

“Hey Siri, turn up the volume.”

or

“Set volume to 85 percent.”

This is a fast, easy way to bypass physical buttons and get your sound exactly where you want it—hands-free.🙌🏼

9. Reset your AirPods

When all else fails, a factory reset can breathe new life into your AirPods. It clears out glitches, connectivity issues, and random gremlins that might be messing with volume.

Here’s how:

1. Put your AirPods in the charging case and close the lid. Wait 30 seconds.
2. Open the lid,  go to your iPhone Settings > Bluetooth, then tap the “i” next to your AirPods
3. Tap Forget This Device and confirm
4. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the light flashes amber, then white
5. Reconnect your AirPods as if they were brand new

Bonus: Use “Headphone Accommodations” for Custom Volume Boosts

Apple has a lesser-known feature buried in the Accessibility settings that lets you fine-tune your AirPods’ audio profile based on your personal hearing preferences. Here’s how to set it up on your iPhone or iPad and instantly boost AirPods volume.

• Go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual
• Toggle on  Headphone Accommodations 
• Under Custom Audio Setup, choose “Balanced Tone” or “Vocal Range”
• Preview your selection by clicking Play Simple
  

This is a game-changer if your hearing preferences differ from standard profiles.

About setting Headphone Accommodations on Mac:

• Go to System Settings > Accessibility > Audio
• Choose your AirPods, then toggle on Head Accommodations
• Click Custom Audio Set, then choose between  “Balanced Tone” or “Vocal Range”

Don’t Settle for Low Volume

To recap:

If you’ve been scratching your head thinking, “Why are my AirPods so quiet?” or “How do I fix the volume on my AirPods?” you now know you’re not stuck with whisper-level audio forever. From playing around with settings and volume limits to cleaning gunky speaker grills and trying hidden EQ gems, there’s a whole toolbox of tricks to help your AirPods (or EarPods!) sound their best again.

Quick recap for making AirPods volume louder:

• Turn off “Reduce Loud Sounds”
• Clean your AirPods
• Try EQ settings like “Late Night”
• Use Siri to max volume
• Customize Headphone Accommodations for a personal sound profile
  

FAQs: 

1. Why are my AirPods so quiet on full volume?

If your AirPods are cranked all the way up and still sound way too quiet, don’t panic. Check your device’s volume limit settings, headphone safety settings, and make sure low power mode isn’t affecting audio output. And here’s a big one: clean the speaker mesh.

2. How do I make my AirPods louder than Max?

Technically speaking, Apple puts a cap on how loud your AirPods can get—and it’s all in the name of protecting your hearing. But there are a few workarounds to make your AirPods sound louder than they currently do. Start by checking that “Reduce Loud Sounds” is turned off in your iPhone settings. Then, try enabling EQ presets like “Late Night” or “Headphone Accommodations” to boost perceived volume. 

3. How do I make my AirPods bass louder?

The Headphones Accomodations setting is a great option for increasing the bass in your AirPods. In addition, some apps (like Boom or Equalizer FX) offer system-wide EQ profiles that can increase both volume and bass, even beyond Apple’s native controls. 

If still hungry for richer bass from your AirPods, consider a DAC (Digital-analog converter). This plugs in between your device and headphones (works great with wired AirPods or adapters) and can noticeably boost clarity, depth, and bass.

4. Will cleaning AirPods make them sound better?

You bet it will! Cleaning your AirPods can definitely make them sound better, especially if they’ve been accumulating earwax, dust, or pocket lint over time. Those tiny little speakers are great, but they don’t do well when they’re clogged up with gunk.

So, how do you clean earwax out of AirPods? Here are the options:

5. How to fix one AirPod being quiet?

To turn the AirPods louder, begin by checking the balance settings in Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual and ensure the slider is centered. Alternatively, give your AirPods a little TLC by cleaning them—earwax, dust, and pocket lint can totally muck up the sound.

And if that doesn’t turn the volume up on your AirPods? Disconnect and reconnect your AirPods in your Bluetooth settings, and if all else fails, restart your device—sometimes a little reset is all they need. Oh, and don’t forget the power of a firmware update to make your AirPods pick up sound better.

6. Which are the loudest AirPods?

In audio tests by experts at Business Insider, the AirPods Max didn’t just hold their own—they stole the show. Compared to top-tier rivals like the Sony WH-1000XM4 and Bose 700 wireless noise-cancelling headphones, Apple’s over-ear headphones delivered sound that was noticeably louder, crisper, and bolder.

Ezekiel Maina

Ezekiel Maina is the brains behind ContentGenics, where he pairs creativity and strategy for B2B and B2C content. He has written for brands like House Digest, iFoundries, and BeamJobs, covering topics like home improvement, real estate, freelancing, digital marketing, and career development. By day, he’s crafting content or catching up with clients from his home office, lost in a good book, or occasionally chasing adventure outside. By late evening, he’s typically deep in a documentary rabbit hole on Netflix or YouTube.