How to enable head gestures on your AirPods

After the latest iOS 18 update, Apple offers a much more convenient way to accept or decline incoming calls on select AirPods. Thanks to ‘Head Gestures’ users can answer or reject calls without using their hands or voice.

While the feature is super easy to use, you will need a compatible model and enable a few settings to make it work. Here’s how you can integrate head gestures into your AirPods.

AirPods: How to use head gesture

It is worth knowing that the head gestures are only available on all AirPods. Head Gestures will only be compatible with AirPods 4 ANC, AirPods 4, and AirPods Pro 2nd generation.

ALSO READ: 18 cool iOS 18 tips to help you get the most out of your iPhone

Next, you need to make sure that your iPhone is running on the latest version of iOS, which is iOS 18. Do check if your AirPods are running the latest firmware as well.

The head gestures are enabled automatically on AirPods upon updating the software on connected devices. You need to head to Settings and turn on Announce Calls and Announce Notifications to respond to Siri. Once this is done, you should open the Settings app and tap on Siri.

To answer or decline calls using head gestures, tap on Announce Calls and choose any option other than ‘Never’. To use gestures to reply to or dismiss notifications and messages, tap on Announce Notifications and make sure the toggle is On.

After the toggles are on, go to the Settings app and tap on your AirPods. Scroll down and make sure the Head Gestures option is On. You are now set up to use head gestures when you get a call. It is important to note that there’s an option to change the default nod and shake actions.

With head gestures turned on, you can nod your head up and down to answer the call or reply to a message or notification. To decline a call or dismiss a message or notification, simply shake your head left and right. While it is significant to remember that head gestures on AirPods only let you accept or decline calls. If you are on a call, shaking your head won’t hang up the call for you.