- Apple rolls out Auto break to AirPods when you sleep
- It seems the feature could also get to beats -headphones
- The option is currently in testing in the developer’s beta in iOS 26
At WWDC 2025 last month, Apple Map mentioned a new AirPods feature that comes with iOS 26: A rocker contact to have audio automatically pause if you fall asleep while wearing your wireless earplugs. Now it seems that the same functionality is also coming to beats headphones.
Of course, Beats is now owned by Apple, but it was not previously clear whether the Beats-labeled devices would get the break media setting. According to code discovered by Tipster Steve Moser and Makrumors, these headphones and earplugs will actually be included.
Right now you need developer Beta from iOS 26 and Beta version of the AirPods company installed, and either AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods 4 to find the option: With your AirPods in your ears, open settings on your iPhone and then TAP AirPods. You need to see a new one Pause media when you fall asleep Change Switch.
It’s a smart trick, but Apple hasn’t explained how it works – and I haven’t had a chance to test it yet (though I’m more than willing to spend some time snapping at work). Apparently, it doesn’t need any additional hardware to work, such as an Apple Watch.
Details to be confirmed
While the full iOS 26 -rolling (due to September) is still a way away, Apple has probably already got this functioning reliable enough – even though there is not much of a difference between someone left and relaxing while listening to a podcast or playlist, and someone who actually falls asleep with their air pods in.
If this ends up working reliably, it would definitely be a welcome feature: It would help save the battery life, as well as mean that you do not lose your place in the media you listen to it is not known how fast Auto-Paused kicks in.
We also do not know which ones are beating headphones that will be included and have the necessary sensor technology inside them. Presumably, the newer models would be included, such as the impressive Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 earrings we’ve reviewed earlier this year, but we’ll have to wait for Apple confirmation.
This break-when-sleeping functionality is not the only new trick that comes to the best AirPods with iOS 26: AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 also get better audio recording through their microphones and remote control camera control.
