Apple has quietly introduced a new sleep detection feature for select AirPods models with its iOS 26 update, automatically pausing media playback when users fall asleep.
The functionality, which arrived in September with the broader iOS 26 release, aims to prevent listeners from losing their place in audiobooks or podcasts if they drift off.
It appears as an option called “Pause media when falling asleep” within the AirPods settings. This setting is deactivated by default.
Apple provided a minimalist description on its website, stating the feature “helps to pause playback in case of inactivity for users who use AirPods to relax before falling asleep.”
The company did not officially announce the sleep detection feature alongside other improvements for AirPods in iOS 26.
While Apple has not detailed the exact mechanism, it is presumed to utilize the built-in sensors within the AirPods to detect movement patterns indicative of sleep, subsequently pausing audio content.
Speculation suggests that future enhancements, such as heart rate monitoring in AirPods Pro 3, could potentially refine the precision of this function.
The new sleep detection feature is compatible with AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods 4. It is not available for AirPods Max or older AirPod models. Reports indicate the functionality works effectively.