Apple may be on the verge of delivering one of the most-requested AirPods features to date, sleep detection, according to new reports ahead of the company’s annual WWDC keynote.
Sources speaking to 9to5Mac suggest that iOS 26 could introduce a range of new AirPods features via firmware updates, with sleep detection likely being the headline addition for everyday users. The new capability is expected to automatically pause audio playback when a user falls asleep, a long-awaited improvement for those who frequently nod off with AirPods in.
9to5Mac reported: “Apple has been working on detecting when a user has fallen asleep while wearing their AirPods and automatically pausing playback”. It’s not yet clear if this feature will function independently or work in tandem with Apple Watch, which already offers advanced sleep tracking.
The reaction from the Apple community has been overwhelmingly positive. One Reddit user, summed up the sentiment:
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"Ah the sleep feature. The thing that I really really really need.
Edit: It's not sarcasm, I really want this feature as I tend to fall asleep 7/10 times with my AirPods in and the battery is at 0% in the morning. Really irritating."
Others echoed the frustration, not only with battery drain but also with jarring low-battery alerts interrupting sleep. As another Apple fan on Reddit put it: "I like the sleep feature, would like to turn off the battery low noise too, it sometimes wakes me up." Another user added: "I sometimes sleep with my AirPods but the low battery warning scares the hell out of me. Even with the tone volume set to the lowest setting."
However, not everyone is entirely sold. One Redditor cautioned: "Then better for them to bring some good comfy sleep pods, sleeping with AirPods can just cause discomfort in the ear or even worse." Hardware comfort could still be a hurdle, especially for side sleepers.
Beyond sleep detection, Apple is reportedly working on other significant improvements. These include expanded head gesture controls, which would allow users to interact with or dismiss Conversation Awareness features simply by moving their head — building on the nod and shake gestures already introduced for call handling. This could make hands-free interaction even more seamless, particularly in quiet environments or while multitasking.
Another addition in development is the ability to trigger the iPhone or iPad camera using a press on the AirPods stem. 9to5Mac noted: “Like with the old EarBuds, this new feature will let users trigger the iPhone or iPad camera with a click on the AirPods stem,” suggesting Apple may also implement a timer to avoid awkward ear-touching poses in photos.
Apple is also said to be exploring a new “studio quality” microphone mode. This feature, modeled after the iPhone’s Audio Mix capability, could elevate AirPods into a more viable option for creators, especially those recording speech or interviews. Lastly, improvements are being developed for how AirPods pair with shared iPads, making the process smoother for environments like classrooms where multiple users interact with the same device.
Apple is expected to unveil iOS 26, macOS 26, and updates across its product ecosystem during the WWDC25 keynote on Monday, June 9. If even a portion of these rumoured features materialise, AirPods users could be in for one of the most meaningful firmware upgrades to date — particularly those who have been waiting for a smarter, sleep-friendly listening experience.
