Your AirPods are about to get some awesome new features from Apple

Although Apple isn’t expected to unveil any new hardware at the upcoming WWDC, there are strong indications that exciting software features are on the way for existing AirPods users. According to recent leaks, enhancements are in the pipeline specifically for the AirPods Pro 2 and the forthcoming AirPods 4 models.

WWDC is traditionally the stage for Apple to debut its next-generation operating systems, and this year is no exception. With the expected arrival of iOS 19-though it’s rumored Apple might rebrand it as iOS 26 to align with the year 2026-some significant updates are slated for AirPods. Among the new functionalities being teased, two in particular have caught attention.

The first is a new function called Camera Control that would let customers take pictures using their AirPods stem. This mimics the remote shutter function on the Apple Watch, offering a hands-free way to capture images on an iPhone or iPad. But since the AirPods don’t have a screen as the Watch does, it could be harder to frame a picture. Interestingly, this kind of remote capture has previously been possible with Apple’s wired EarPods via their volume buttons.

Another notable addition is a Sleep Auto-Pause function. With this update, AirPods would be able to recognize when the user has fallen asleep and pause any playing media automatically. The technical hurdle here is the lack of a built-in heart rate sensor in AirPods, which is typically how sleep detection works on the Apple Watch. It’s currently unclear whether the feature will require Apple Watch integration to function.

Beyond these headliners, additional features might include new gesture controls using head movements to adjust volume or toggle between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode. However, it is anticipated that these improvements will only be available on Apple’s H2 chip devices, specifically the AirPods Pro 2 and the two future AirPods 4 models.

Unfortunately, older AirPods, including the AirPods Max-even the second-gen models released last fall-likely won’t receive these upgrades, as they are equipped with the older H1 chip. While Apple is set to showcase all these new features during the WWDC keynote on June 9, the official public release of the updated software is anticipated for September.