Apple's new iOS 26 setting finally fixes one of most 'annoying' issues for AirPods and other headphones
Bluetooth just got much better thanks to a new iOS 26 update from Apple, giving people the opportunity to fix one of the most frustrating issues when using AirPods or other wireless headphones, but it's hidden within your iPhone's settings menu.
While it does definitely have its drawbacks – especially if you listen to the audiophile community – Bluetooth has been a game changer when it comes to listening to music for the average person.
Gone are the days when wires constantly got in the way, and you can comfortably walk meters away from your phone without feeling like you're tethered to the device, making listening to your favorite artists, podcasts, and even audiobooks a breeze.
It's definitely a major boon to be able to connect your phone wirelessly to a wide range of devices, yet that did come with a frustrating downside as pretty much all AirPods owners have probably experienced a situation where they're yanked away from what they're listening to when a new connected devices comes online.
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It makes sense for your iPhone to prioritise devices when they're turned on, but that can lead to some situations where your focus playlist is suddenly blaring through the work speakers, or you're sharing that fantasy novel with the rest of the car.
Thankfully Apple has listened to the complaints and implemented a game-changing new feature alongside the latest update for iOS 26, as reported by Supercar Blondie, letting you choose where you want to prioritise your listening via Bluetooth from now on.
It's a relatively simple addition but will make a whole world of difference for anyone that is constantly running into this issue, yet you might not even know it exists as it's turned off by default.
To enable this new setting, make sure to follow these steps below:
- Head to your iPhone's Settings menu
- Navigate to the General section, then select AirPlay & Continuity
- From there, select 'Keep Audio with Headphones'
Now your iPhone will always prioritise a Bluetooth connection with headphones when they're turned on and listening to music, meaning that you should never be interrupted by a new connection if it's discovered.
You might still want to consider keeping it off in some situations as it makes it far easier to switch between devices, but for anyone who primarily uses their AirPods or other wireless headphones to listen to music, this is something that you'll want to activate as soon as possible.
"This is the biggest feature in [iOS] 26 for me," writes one delighted user on Reddit in response to the news, with another noting that this removes situations where they "work from home and when my wife starts her car, my meetings will get transferred to it."