Apple Will Add Remote Camera Control and Sleep Auto-Pause to AirPods with iOS 26

Apple is preparing to introduce new features to existing AirPods models via the upcoming iOS 26 update, which will be announced at WWDC on June 9, 2025. Although no new AirPods hardware is expected, users of the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) and the upcoming AirPods 4 (both variants) will receive useful software upgrades. These include a remote camera control function that allows users to take photos on their iPhone or iPad by pressing the AirPods stem—similar to how the Apple Watch already enables remote photography. Another addition is the ‘Sleep Auto-Pause’ feature, which automatically pauses music or podcasts when the user falls asleep. This function may require an Apple Watch, as current AirPods lack the necessary sensors like a heart rate monitor. Additional potential enhancements include head gestures for volume adjustment and toggling between active noise cancellation and transparency mode, provided the hardware supports it. However, older AirPods models and the AirPods Max, which contain the older H1 chip, are not expected to support these new features. The update aligns with Apple’s usual practice of announcing software in June and releasing it in September. These improvements reflect Apple’s growing focus on expanding functionality through software in its audio ecosystem.