Apple is working on more advanced Siri functionality as part of its Apple Intelligence feature set, and to prepare, it has been providing developers with App Intent APIs so apps will be ready for the new capabilities.
With the latest wave of betas, Apple has a new API that lets developers make onscreen content in their apps available to Siri and Apple Intelligence. From Apple's documentation:
When a user asks a question about onscreen content or wants to perform an action on it, Siri and Apple Intelligence can retrieve the content to respond to the question and perform the action. If the user explicitly requests it, Siri and Apple Intelligence can send content to supported third-party services. For example, someone could view a website and use Siri to provide a summary by saying or typing a phrase like "Hey Siri, what's this document about?"
In the iOS 18.2 beta, ChatGPT integration with Siri allows users to ask questions about photos and documents, such as PDFs and presentations, and get information about them. You can, for example, ask Siri "what's in this photo?" and Siri will take a screenshot and hand it over to ChatGPT. ChatGPT then relays what's in the image, and the same feature works for PDFs and other documents.
It does not seem that the iOS 18.2 ChatGPT integration is the onscreen awareness functionality that Apple has planned for Siri, but it could be related. Apple describes onscreen awareness as the ability for Siri to understand and take action on things on the screen. If someone texts you an address, for example, you'll be able to say "Add this address to their contact card," and Siri will do it. This functionality is not available in iOS 18.2, and ChatGPT is limited to assessing screenshots, but it is somewhat confusing.
Onscreen awareness, like personal context and in-app actions, is a feature that Apple has planned for Siri, but it's probably not something that we're getting this year. Many of the Siri features are coming in a future version of iOS 18, and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said we can expect to see them in iOS 18.4, an update set to be released in the spring of 2025.
While there are multiple Siri features that won't be coming until next year, Apple is providing developers with APIs in advance so that developers have several months to prepare and so the features are ready for the public when the updates actually come out.
Apple today provided developers with the first beta of tvOS 18.2, and the update adds support for the 21:9 aspect ratio that projectors use.
As noted by Sigmund Judge, the update includes a new option that lets the Apple TV automatically detect the best aspect ratio for a television or projector. Options include 16:9, 21:9, 2.37:1, 2.39:1, 2.40:1, DCI 4K, and 32:9.
tvOS 18.2 Developer Beta 1 introduces the ability for Apple TV to automatically detect the best aspect ratio for your television or projector.
If you have an anamorphic lens or your television's aspect ratio is not detected, users will have the ability to manually choose from… pic.twitter.com/QjAFvKME7d
— Sigmund Judge (@sigjudge) November 4, 2024
Support for the 21:9 aspect ratio was announced as a tvOS 18 feature, but it was not in the initial tvOS 18 release. tvOS 18.2 includes an option to show or hide volume feedback from external devices like sound bars in addition to the aspect ratio change.
We are also waiting on new Snoopy screen savers, but those do not appear to be included in tvOS 18.2.
Apple is surveying its employees about smart glasses as it continues to consider releasing its own version of Meta's Ray-Ban glasses, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple has launched an internal study of products that are on the market, and is currently gathering feedback from Apple employees.
In an email sent out to employees, Apple's Product Systems Quality team called for participants for "an upcoming user study with current market smart glasses." According to Gurman, it is common for Apple to use focus groups when it is deciding on whether to enter a new market. Using employees for the focus groups allows Apple to keep its plans secret, something that wouldn't be possible with recruiting the public.
While a product is several years away, Apple is mulling making smart glasses that are similar to the Meta Ray-Bans. Meta's glasses have a camera and integrated AI so that users can ask questions about what's around them.
Apple could potentially design a simple set of glasses with a camera, Siri integration, and built-in speakers for listening to music, plus there could be included health capabilities. The glasses would essentially be an upgraded version of the AirPods with additional capabilities.
Smart glasses that integrate just a camera, speakers, and AI would be easy for Apple to produce, and it could be a way to boost wearable profits while work continues on augmented reality glasses. Apple has not been able to make AR glasses due to high costs and technical limitations that the company has not yet been able to overcome.
Gathering feedback from employees about Meta's glasses and other similar devices could provide Apple with valuable information on what features customers prefer.
Apple today stopped signing iOS 18.0.1, preventing iPhone users who have upgraded to iOS 18.1 from downgrading to iOS 18. Apple released iOS 18.1 a week ago on October 28.
It is not unusual for Apple to stop signing older versions of iOS shortly after a new version of iOS is released. When Apple stops signing an update, it can no longer be installed on an iPhone due to a server-side software verification check that happens before new software is installed, so those who have upgraded to the latest version of iOS 18 cannot downgrade to iOS 18.0.1.
Apple prevents downgrading to older versions of iOS to encourage iPhone users to keep their operating systems up to date with the latest security fixes.
The iOS 18.1 update added the first Apple Intelligence features, including Writing Tools, a new look for Siri, summaries and smart replies, and more. Apple CEO Tim Cookrecently said that iPhone users are upgrading to iOS 18.1 twice as fast as iOS 17.1 during the same timeframe last year.
In the latest macOS Sequoia 15.2 beta, there is a new option to add the weather in your current location to the menu bar of the Mac. The menu bar weather feature shows the temperature along with an icon for the weather conditions, like a cloud if it's cloudy and a sun if it's sunny.
Clicking into the icon shows an hourly view of the upcoming conditions and temperature, along with the weather in other locations that you have saved. You can also open the Weather app from the menu bar interface.
The Weather icon can be enabled by opening up the Mac's Settings app, going to Control Center, and scrolling down to the "Menu Bar Only" section. Weather joins other options that include Clock, Spotlight, Siri, and Time Machine.
The macOS Sequoia 15.2 beta is limited to developers at the current time, but Apple may release a public beta in the not too distant future. macOS Sequoia 15.2 will be released in early December.
Apple today seeded the second betas of upcoming iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 updates to developers, and Apple is continuing to refine the Apple Intelligence capabilities. There are also a handful of smaller features that are worth knowing about.
Find My
Find My has a new option to Share Item Location with an "airline or trusted person" that can help you locate something that you've misplaced. Choosing the Share Item Location option creates a link that lets someone view the location of a lost item when they open the link.
The link can be opened on a non-Apple device, so an iPhone or Mac is not required to provide someone with your item's location. Links expire after a week or when you're reunited with your lost item.
There's also an option to Show Contact Info, which lets any phone or tablet connect to an item to view a website with more information about it, including the phone number and email address of the owner.
Siri ChatGPT Limit
The ChatGPT section of Apple Intelligence for Sirinow shows the ChatGPT limits that are in place for free users, while also offering an option to upgrade to the paid ChatGPT Plus plan. With ChatGPT integration, users have free access to ChatGPT, but only a small number of requests that use the latest ChatGPT-4o engine and a small number of DALL-E 3 images that can be created.
After that, access reverts to a more basic version of ChatGPT that's less expensive for OpenAI to run. Unfettered access requires ChatGPT Plus, priced at $19.99 per month.
Battery Life and Device Temperature
In the iOS 18.2 beta 2 release notes, Apple says that it has improved battery life and device temperature.
Settings App Icons
In Dark Mode, the icons in the Settings app have a new, darker look that shows color on a black background rather than icons that are a solid color with white accents.
Camera Control
For iPhone 16 users, there's now an option lock your auto exposure and auto focus settings with a light press. The AE/AF Lock toggle can be turned on by going to Settings > Camera > Camera Control.
There is also an option to adjust the double click speed of Camera Control. Options include Default, Slow, and Slower. The adjustment options join prior options to tweak the double light press speed and the light press force.
Adjusting Camera Control can be done by opening Settings and going to Accessibility > Camera Button.
iPhone Mirroring With Hotspot
iOS 18.2 allows you to use iPhone Mirroring while your iPhone's hotspot connection is being shared with your Mac. Having your Mac connected through Personal Hotspot previously did not allow you to use iPhone Mirroring.
Fitness Shortcut Actions
There are new Fitness app Shortcut actions that you can use when creating a Shortcut, including Open Fitness Settings, Open Award, Open Session History, and Open Trophy Case.
Web Restrictions in Utah
Utah residents under the age of 17 will be opted in to web content restrictions that block adult content in iOS 18.2. This is required by Utah law.
EU Default Browser Changes
In the European Union, iPadOS 18.2 requires selecting a Default Browser when opening Safari. This is a Digital Markets Act requirement, with Apple adding an updated interface that will let users select a default web browser of their choice from a list of options.
Apple has already implemented this change in iOS 18.
More Features
Know of a new feature in iOS 18.2 beta 2 that we left out? Let us know in the comments below.
Apple in iOS 18.2 beta 2 added a new feature to the Find My app, which is designed to allow you to share a lost item's location with a trusted person. Apple says that the feature is meant to help you locate an item through a third-party, like an airline employee.
In the Find My app, there's now an option to "Share Item Location" and "Show Contact Info." Choosing the Share Item Location option creates a link that allows someone to see the location of a lost item when they open the link. The link can be opened on a non-Apple device, so people without an iPhone or Mac can help you find something that's lost. Find My links that you share expire after a week and you can see how many people visited the link. Shared links stop working when an item is returned to you or when the link sharing date expires.
Choosing Show Contact Info lets any phone or tablet connect to a lost item to open a website with more information about it, including the phone number and email address of the person who owns it.
Find My already allowed you to share an item with a person in your Contacts list, but now it also lets you temporarily provide an item's location to someone else who might be able to help you find it. The new feature for sharing a lost item works with AirTags and other devices that connect to Apple's Find My network.
Apple today seeded the first beta of visionOS 2.2 to developers, and it adds the promised "Wide" and "Ultrawide" modes to the Mac Virtual Display feature.
Mac Virtual Display allows Apple's Vision Pro headset to be used as an external display for a Mac. The feature has been available since visionOS was first released earlier this year, but the wider options are new in the latest beta.
Apple has previously said the ultra-wide version of Mac Virtual Display is equivalent to having two physical 4K displays sitting side by side on a desk.
Mac Virtual Display is now available in three sizes: Normal, Wide, and Ultrawide.
visionOS 2.2 will likely be released to the public in December alongside iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, macOS Sequoia 15.2, watchOS 11.2, tvOS 18.2, and other updates.
With the second beta of iOS 18.2 that's available for developers today, Apple has further fleshed out the ChatGPT integration that's available with Siri. In the Settings app, there's now a section that shows the ChatGPT daily limit, and offers an option to upgrade to the paid ChatGPT Plus plan.
The beta includes an Advanced Capabilities section with a "Daily Limit" reading that shows up as "Under Limit" without a paid ChatGPT plan. Users have access to a small number of requests that use the most advanced ChatGPT capabilities, and requests are downgraded to a basic version of ChatGPT after that.
OpenAI has long restricted access to ChatGPT's most advanced feature set to a paid Plus plan, so accessing ChatGPT through Siri is subject to the same limitations.
There is an option to upgrade to ChatGPT Plus, which is priced at $19.99 per month. ChatGPT Plus provides 5x more messages on the newest version of ChatGPT, GPT-4o. It also allows for higher limits on photo and file uploads, image generation, and web browsing, as well as an option to converse with ChatGPT using advanced voice mode.
Customers who already have a ChatGPT Plus plan can sign into their account, and those that do not can sign up through the Settings app. The Settings app opens to an in-app browser where users can sign up directly with OpenAI.
Free access to ChatGPT-4o requests resets every 24 hours, and when the limited number of requests are used up, Siri will switch to a more cost effective version of ChatGPT. The free plan limits creation with DALL-E 3 to two images per day.
Amazon today introduced a price drop on the upgraded M2 MacBook Air with 16GB of RAM, specifically for the 13-inch model with 256GB of storage. You can get this computer for $799.00 in two colors, down from $999.00.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
This price is available in Silver and Starlight, but shoppers should note that the Silver delivery estimate has already slipped into December. The Starlight option can be delivered as soon as this Saturday, November 9.
Apple updated the MacBook Air lineup last week to start with 16GB of RAM, up from 8GB, and otherwise there have been no changes to the computer.
You can find all the Apple Black Friday Deals currently available in our dedicated post. For everything else, we're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2024.
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Apple today seeded the second betas of upcoming iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 updates to developers for testing purposes. The betas come two weeks after Apple released the first 18.2 and 15.2 betas. Alongside the second betas of the iPhone, iPad, and Mac operating system updates, Apple has also seeded the first betas of watchOS 11.2, tvOS 18.2, and visionOS 2.2.
With today's updates, Apple is continuing to test the next phase of Apple Intelligence, with these features available for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS:
Image Playground
Image Playground is Apple's image generation app, and it can create images based on prompts. You can enter a description of what you want or use the built-in suggestions and concepts that Apple provides. Apple will suggest costumes, locations, items, and more to add to an image, and these concepts are intelligent and can draw inspiration from a Messages thread or content in the Notes app.
There are options to create characters that resemble your friends and family, and you can choose a photo for Image Playground to use as inspiration to create a related image. Elements added to Image Playground creations are previewed, and there is a preview history so you can undo a change and go back to a prior version.
While Image Playground is a standalone app, it is also integrated into Messages. Image Playground does not make photorealistic images and is instead limited to animation or illustration styles.
Image Wand
Image Wand is an Image Playground-related feature that's available in the Notes app on iPad. You can draw a rough sketch with the Apple Pencil or circle a blank space or a key phrase in a note to have Image Wand generate an appropriate image.
Genmoji
Genmoji are custom emoji characters that you can create based on descriptions and phrases. Like Image Playground creations, you can base them on your friends and family, with the data pulled from the People album in Photos. You can also make characters using basic elements, and you'll get multiple Genmoji suggestions to choose from. You can create Genmoji using the emoji keyboard.
Genmoji are limited to iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 right now, and will be coming to macOS Sequoia later.
Siri ChatGPT Integration
Siri can integrate with ChatGPT for certain requests, but only with user approval. If Siri is unable to provide an answer to a query, Siri will hand the request over to ChatGPT. ChatGPT's answer will then be provided by Siri.
ChatGPT can be used to create content from scratch, including text and images. No account is required to use ChatGPT integration, and Apple and OpenAI do not store requests.
Visual Intelligence
iPhone 16 users have access to Visual Intelligence, a feature that provides information about what's around you. If you open the camera and point it at a restaurant, for example, you'll see opening hours and reviews.
Some other Visual Intelligence capabilities include reading text out loud, detecting phone numbers and addresses to add them to Contacts, copying text, and summarizing text. There is an option to search Google for where to buy a specific item that you see, and you can also point the camera at something and then get more information about it from ChatGPT.
Apple plans to expand this feature to include more functionality over time.
Writing Tools
Apple is enhancing the Writing Tools feature to add an option to make more open-ended changes. In iOS 18.1 and its sister updates, Writing Tools can only be used to change the tone to friendly, professional, and a more simplified version. In iOS 18.2, you can describe the tone or content change that you want to make, such as adding more action words, or turning an email into a poem.
More Languages
Apple Intelligence supports localized English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, and the UK in addition to U.S. English.
Wait List
If you've already been testing Apple Intelligence and are opted in, you will have access to Writing Tools, ChatGPT integration, and Visual Intelligence automatically.
There is a secondary waiting list for early access to use Genmoji, Image Playground, and Image Wand. You can sign up to get access in Image Playground or in the areas where you access Genmoji or Image Wand.
When you request access, you are added to a wait list for all three capabilities and you'll get a notification when the features are available for you to use. Apple is rolling out access to the new image generation features over the coming weeks.
Availability and Compatibility
The second betas are available on all devices, but the Apple Intelligence features require a device capable of Apple Intelligence. As of right now, the betas are limited to developers, but there will likely be a public beta coming in the not too distant future. Apple is still working on refining the new Apple Intelligence tools, and the company warns that Genmoji, Image Wand, and Image Playground can sometimes give you results you weren't expecting. Apple is collecting feedback on these experiences and will refine them over time.
The feedback received will help Apple determine when the image generation features will be more widely available for beta testing and when they'll see an eventual public launch.
Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.2 requires an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 16 model. iPadOS 18.2 requires an iPad with an M-series chip or an A17 Pro chip, while macOS Sequoia 15.2 requires a Mac with an M-series chip.
Release Date
Apple is expected to release the iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, macOS Sequoia 15.2, watchOS 11.2, tvOS 18.2, and visionOS 2.2 updates in early December.
Apple has accidentally allowed an iPhone and iPad app that allows you to stream pirated movies and TV shows for free into the App Store, according to a post from Kevin Aubin on Threads. The post was earlier reported by The Verge.
While the so-called "Univer Note" app's description says that it "can easily help you record every day's events and plan your time," it actually lets you stream movies that are still playing in theaters, like Smile 2 and Venom: The Last Dance. You can also watch shows from streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and even Apple TV+. Oops!
It appears that the French-language app has been available in the App Store since September, but it is unclear how long the app has offered pirated movies and TV shows instead of calendar functionality. This app clearly went undetected by Apple's App Review team, and it should be removed from the App Store promptly after receiving news coverage.
Update: It appears the pirated movies and TV shows are only visible in the app in certain countries, such as Canada and France. In the U.S., the app actually appears to be a basic calendar app, which may have helped it to stay under the radar until now.
Update 2: The app has been removed from the App Store.
In a recent document outlining the steps it has taken to comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act, Apple revealed that it will allow iPhone and iPad users in the EU to set default navigation and translation apps starting in "spring 2025." That timeframe suggests these options will be added in iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, which should be released in April.
Apple had already announced that iPhone and iPad users in the EU would be able to set default navigation and translation apps in "future software updates," but it did not share a more specific timeframe for these options until now.
Once the iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 updates are released, iPhone and iPad users in the EU should be able to set default navigation and translation apps through the new "Default Apps" section in the Settings app on the devices. For example, users should be able to choose Google Maps, Waze, or other options as their default navigation app, instead of Apple Maps. Likewise, they should be able to choose Google Translate, Microsoft Translator, or other options as their default translation app, instead of Apple's Translate app.
As of the iOS 18.2 beta, iPhone users in the EU can already set a default browser app, mail app, app marketplace, phone calls app, messaging app, password manager app, and set default options for call filtering and software keyboards.
Satechi and MacRumors have partnered up this week to help kickstart your holiday shopping, with an exclusive 30 percent sitewide discount for our readers. This sale is available only on Satechi's website and has no exclusions, and it will run through this Friday, November 8.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
To get the discount, add anything on Satechi's website to your cart and head to checkout. Once at checkout, you can enter the code MR30 to get 30 percent off your order for this week only. This discount code takes 30 percent off whatever is in your cart, so you can purchase multiple accessories at once.
Note: Use code MR30 at checkout to see the discount.
Below we've rounded up some of Satechi's best wireless chargers and other accessories, including a few that are compatible with MagSafe. Some highlights of the sale are the Aluminum 2-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand and Trio Wireless Charger with Magnetic Pad. Of course, the MR30 code works sitewide at Satechi through Friday, so be sure to browse throughout the company's products to take advantage of the sale.
Remember that our promo code MR30 works sitewide and will end on November 8, so be sure to shop on Satechi's website sometime this week before the sale closes.
You can find all the Apple Black Friday Deals currently available in our dedicated post. For everything else, we're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2024.
Deals Newsletter
Interested in hearing more about top deals as we head into the holidays? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!
iPadOS is now under formal scrutiny by the European Commission to determine whether it complies with the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The announcement by the European Commission marks the next step in its regulatory oversight of Apple, following the iPadOS designation as a "gatekeeper" platform in April 2024. The classification was part of a broader effort to apply the newly enforced DMA, aimed at limiting the dominance of major tech firms and promoting fair competition across the European Union.
The regulations outline obligations for "gatekeepers," mandating these companies to open up their software ecosystems to ensure a level playing field. In a press release (via Reuters), the European Commission explained:
Apple must, among others, allow users to set the default web browser of their choice on iPadOS, allow alternative app stores on its operating system, and allow accessory devices, like headphones and smart pens, to effectively access iPadOS features.
Apple has already made a series of changes to iPadOS in the European Union to comply with regulations, and the Commission is now assessing the sufficiency of these changes. For example, iPadOS 18 will allow users in the European Union to install third-party app stores—referred to as "app marketplaces" by Apple—and set an alternative web browser as the default.
However, questions remain about Apple's compliance with the DMA's stipulations for accessory interoperability. The DMA states that platforms must support "accessory ecosystems like headphones and smart pens," allowing these third-party devices to work effectively with core operating system functions.
While the iPad supports a wide range of headphones and styluses, the integration for accessories like the AirPods and Apple Pencil remains considerably more seamless and feature-rich compared to third-party alternatives, offering capabilities such as automatic device switching and pressure sensitivity.
Apple may try to argue that its current level of support for third-party accessories already meets the requirements of the DMA. Under the provisions of the DMA, violations could lead to significant penalties, potentially amounting to 10% of the company’s global annual turnover. The final judgement is expected to be published next year.
Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
Today we're tracking notable discounts on the previous generation M3 MacBook Pro at Amazon and Best Buy, with as much as $700 off select computers. Regarding the Best Buy discounts, you won't need to have a My Best Buy membership in order to see the discounts for these sales.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
The highlight of the sale is on the 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro (16GB RAM/1TB) for $1,399.00, down from $1,999.00. This one is available at both Amazon and Best Buy, and it's a new all-time low price on the computer.
You can find all the Apple Black Friday Deals currently available in our dedicated post. For everything else, we're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2024.
Deals Newsletter
Interested in hearing more about top deals as we head into the holidays? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!
Apple last week released iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 with the first set of Apple Intelligence features on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, including Writing Tools. Within the Writing Tools suite, there is an option to change the tone of text you write to be friendly, professional, or concise, along with the ability to have text summarized into key points. Apple highlighted these capabilities today in two humorous Mac ads.
In the first ad, a furious employee types out an angry, unprofessional email to a coworker who is apparently stealing their pudding. Before sending the email, they use Writing Tools to change the tone of the email to be friendlier.
In the second ad, an employee uses Apple Intelligence to quickly catch up on the key points in documents being discussed during a meeting.
Apple Intelligence is available on the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, any iPhone 16 model, any Mac with an M-series chip, and any iPad with an M-series or A17 Pro chip.
If you're concerned about hearing loss and own AirPods Pro 2, Apple in iOS 18.1 offers a convenient new clinical-grade hearing test that's easy to use. Here's everything you need to know about checking your hearing health with this new feature.
Note that Apple's Hearing Test feature is not available in all regions, likely due to differing regulatory laws. Apple maintains a list on its website of regions and territories where the test is available. If your location isn't on the list, you can still take the test – see the last section of this article for details.
What You Need
AirPods Pro 2 updated with the latest firmware
iPhone or iPad running iOS/iPadOS 18.1 or later
A quiet environment
About 5 minutes of uninterrupted time
The Hearing Test requires that you listen for a comprehensive range of tones at different and sometimes very low volumes. For this reason, it's important to take the test in a quiet environment for the full duration of the test, free from intermittent noise, people talking, or loud air conditioning or fan systems nearby.
Taking the Hearing Test
Make sure your AirPods Pro 2 are sufficiently charged before taking the test.
Put your AirPods Pro 2 in your ears.
Open Settings on your iPhone.
Tap your AirPods Pro name at the top of Settings.
Under "Hearing Health," tap Take a Hearing Test.
Answer the preliminary questions about your age and recent loud noise exposure.
Follow the fit test to ensure your ear tips create a proper seal.
When the test begins, tap the screen each time you hear a tone.
Complete the test for both ears (the test will automatically switch sides).
Understanding Your Results
The test measures your hearing in dBHL (decibel hearing level) and provides an easy-to-read classification:
Up to 25 dBHL: Little to no hearing loss - can hear normal conversation easily
26-40 dBHL: Mild hearing loss - can hear normal speech at close range
41-60 dBHL: Moderate hearing loss - requires raised voices to understand speech
61-80 dBHL: Severe hearing loss - can only hear very loud speech or shouting
Tap "Show Details" to see a frequency-by-frequency breakdown of your hearing ability. This graph shows how well you hear different pitches, from low (250 Hz) to high (8 kHz). This detailed view can help identify specific types of hearing loss and is the same format audiologists use, making it easy to share with healthcare providers.
You can access your test results anytime in the Health app. Tap Browse ➝ Hearing, then tap Hearing Test Results to view your history. To share your results with healthcare providers, tap Export PDF at the bottom, or tap the Share button to email or save the audiogram.
After the Test
The results of your test can be used to unlock additional AirPods Pro 2 features and options including Media Assist and Hearing Aid mode.
Media Assist
If mild to moderate hearing loss is detected, you can enable Media Assist to optimize audio for your hearing profile:
Go to Settings ➝ your AirPods Pro
Scroll down to Hearing Health
Tap Media Assist.
Toggle Media Assist on.
Choose Use Hearing Test Results to apply your recent test data, or Custom Setup to manually adjust settings.
Media Assist will then automatically adjust music, videos, and calls to enhance frequencies you have trouble hearing.
Hearing Aid Mode
Your AirPods Pro 2 can function as basic hearing aids, amplifying conversations and environmental sounds. You can enable this feature in the Settings app under Accessibility ➝ Hearing Devices.
Bear in mind that the Hearing Aid feature isn't available everywhere. Apple maintains a list of regions and territories in which the feature can be accessed.
Taking the Hearing Test in Unsupported Regions
As we mentioned at the top of this article, Apple's Hearing Test feature isn't available in all regions and territories at the time of writing this, but that doesn't mean you can't take the test.
After taking the test using this method, your results will be available in the Health app. Just bear in mind that you won't be able to access Apple's other hearing health features like Media Assist and Hearing Test unless they are officially available in your region.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
