The Right Way to Wear AirPods and AirPods Pro

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Have you been wearing your AirPods wrong? Here's what we learned

Co-authored by Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: April 6, 2026 References

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Correctly Inserting AirPods

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Choosing the Right Tips

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FAQ

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Video

Do your AirPods or AirPods Pro keep falling out of your ears? There can be a little bit of a learning curve when it comes to wearing AirPods, even if you've used earlier models or other earbuds in the past. In this guide, we'll show you the correct way to wear AirPods, including advice on choosing the best ear tips for AirPods Pro. We'll also answer common questions about AirPods fit and positioning.

How to Wear AirPods Correctly

Insert your AirPods into your ear canal with the stem facing down, then rotate the stem so it's angled toward your face. If you're wearing AirPods Pro, press the tip in gently when the stem is in the correct position, then rotate or angle the stem to the most comfortable position.

Section 1 of 3:

Correctly Inserting AirPods

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Insert the AirPods ear tip into your ear canal. Whether you're using AirPods Pro or regular AirPods, you'll always start by gently inserting the tip straight into your ear canal with the stem pointing down.^{[1]
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- Make sure you're using the correct AirPod for your ear–make sure the AirPod marked "L" is in your left ear, and the "R" AirPod in your right ear.
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Rotate the stem of your AirPod toward your face. You can stop rotating when the edge of the stem aligns with your jawline or is pointed toward your cheek.^{[2]
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- When you rotate the stem toward your face, the sensors on the AirPods will seal properly under the bump near the ear hole.
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(AirPods Pro only) Press in gently to secure the AirPod tip in your ear. Once the AirPod tip is snug in your ear, you can rotate or angle the stem to the position that feels most comfortable for you.^{[3]
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Section 2 of 3:

Choosing the Best Ear Tips for AirPods Pro

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Try using your AirPods Pro with the default (Medium) tips. AirPods Pro come with ear tips of different sizes to ensure a secure fit for all ears. The preinstalled ear tips are a size medium (M), and Apple recommends wearing that size for 10 to 15 minutes while doing an activity (like walking) to see if they feel comfortable and secure.^{[4]
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Attach a larger or smaller size if needed. If your AirPods feel too loose or fall out, the medium tips are too small for your ears. If the tips feel like they're squishing up or are otherwise uncomfortable, they are likely too large.
- To remove the tip: Hold one AirPod in your hand firmly, and use the other hand to grip the tip where it connects to the AirPod. Then, just pull the tip straight away from the AirPod.^{[5]
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- To attach a tip: Line up the ear tip with the oval-shaped connector on your AirPod. Press the tip down gently until it clicks into place. Give the tip a light tug to make sure it's secure.
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Test the acoustic seal. To make sure you've selected the right size tips for your AirPods Pro, you can do a quick test to measure the acoustic seal. Here's how:^{[6]
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- Insert your AirPods Pro.
- If your AirPods are not already connected to your iPhone or iPad, connect them now.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad and tap your AirPods Pro near the top.
- Tap Test Acoustic Seal (or Ear Fit Test), then follow the on-screen instructions.
- If the test recommends using a different size ear tip, try adjusting your AirPods first, then running the test again.^{[7]
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- If the test still recommends changing the size, place the desired size tips on your AirPods Pro.
- You may need to use different-sized tips for each ear.

Section 3 of 3:

Common Questions

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Why do my AirPods fall out of my ears when I smile? If your AirPods fall out when you laugh or smile, they may not be inserted properly. Insert the tip into your ear canal, then rotate the stem toward your face. If you're using AirPods Pro, push them in gently after rotating the stem. If they still fall out, switch to a larger size ear tip.^{[8]
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Should AirPods point up or down? Neither! The stems of your AirPods should be pointing toward your face rather than up or down. If you're using AirPods Pro, press the AirPods into your ears once the stems are angled toward your face, then adjust them if needed.^{[9]
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How do I know if my AirPods fit correctly? If they're properly inserted but feel uncomfortable, the tips may be too large. If your AirPods fall out of your ears or feel loose, the tips may be too small. You can check the fit of your AirPods by running the Test Acoustic Seal test or Ear Fit Test in your iPhone or iPad's settings.
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Why aren't my AirPods Pro getting a good seal? If the tips are not the correct size for your ears, you might not get a good seal, which can weaken sound quality and noise cancellation features. Try different sizes to see if your acoustic test results improve.^{[10]
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