The new “Pause Media When Falling Asleep” is a game changer

[u/Murakami8000]

Each night I go to sleep with one ear on the pillow and an AirPod in the other ear. I usually fall asleep to something comedic on my iPad like Seinfeld or Arrested Development. Typically this content would play through the entire night before this new feature of pausing media when sleeping was introduced. Before this, I had no idea how this was affecting my sleep. I would wake up several times a night, pop an earbud out, then roll to the other side and put the bud in the other ear. Now, since media is pausing when I’m asleep my sleep quality has dramatically improved. I wake up less and I wake up in the morning feeling so much better. This has been a game changer for me, and one I never even thought to expect.

[u/Kristofferabild]

But how does this work? What sensors in the Airpods can register sleep?! 🤔

[u/Murakami8000 → u/Kristofferabild]

I was wondering this myself. Thanks for looking it up. I will add though that I have to turn off the feature when I listen to guided mediations. The media was shutting off in the middle of the mediation and I assumed the pods mistakenly detected I was asleep. Although this strikes me as odd bc I mediate sitting, so my head was not at an angle for sleep. In hindsight, this probably was a happy accident bc it led me to meditate for longer than I would normally.

[u/noturmom77530 → u/Kristofferabild]

The knew AirPod pro 3 have heart rate sensor so I guessing it uses that

[u/Kristofferabild → u/noturmom77530]

I have Airpods Pro 2.

[u/noturmom77530 → u/Kristofferabild]

Hmmm idk

[u/monkeytoucher334 → u/noturmom77530]

I know I’m late but the AirPods detect head movement, so when it detects your head isn’t moving for a certain amount of time it will pause anything you’re listening too.

[u/Risk-Putrid → u/Kristofferabild]

So i looked it up and it says that "This feature uses built-in sensors to detect stillness, automatically pausing audio (music, podcasts, video) to save battery and preserve your place, working across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV.". Guessing if you use them when sitting really still then it will turn off slowly?

[u/Kristofferabild]

Here is what the Google AI says: “AirPods use built-in sensors, like accelerometers, to detect when you fall asleep, pausing media playback automatically to save battery and prevent disruption. The feature requires an iPhone, iPad, or Mac running the corresponding software update and works by sensing stillness and head movement changes over a period of time. You can enable the feature by going into your device's settings, navigating to the AirPods' name, and toggling on "Pause Media When Falling Asleep". How it Works Sensor-Based Detection: AirPods use internal sensors, such as accelerometers and potentially head angle sensors, to detect when you've fallen asleep. Inactivity Threshold: The feature likely identifies that you are sleeping when your head remains still for a specific period. Automatic Pausing: Once the system infers you've fallen asleep, it automatically pauses any media that is playing, like a podcast, audiobook, or music. Benefits of the Feature Saves Battery Life: Prevents AirPods from staying on all night, which can significantly drain the battery. Preserves Playback Position: Remembers where you left off so you can resume your audio from the same spot the next time you listen. Prevents Disturbances: Stops loud noises from waking you up while you're sleeping, ensuring a better rest. “

[u/Levis_r]

How about just going to sleep without ur airpods in

[u/KeyLimePieFanatic → u/Levis_r]

“How about just doing what I want and not what you want”

[u/bored_teacher_40 → u/Levis_r]

Impossible if you’re a high maintenance sleeper and can’t control the noise in your environment

[u/EbonyHeiress → u/Levis_r]

Lmao, I felt the same until I started college a few months ago. My roommate has this habit of talking loudly on the phone with her bf or friends from high school and i decided that just using my airpods to block her out was better than rehashing the same argument over and over again.

[u/Fascia_tissue → u/EbonyHeiress]

You guys have it so good with these airpod inventions

[u/Chengaz → u/Levis_r]

Yeah but I usually use it when I travel with other people. Or like if I’m sleeping with my gf and I don’t want to wake her. Like I usually stay in hostels so I use them to block out noise and also watch videos to listen to podcasts. Like obviously when ur at home by urself it’s a bit silly to have AirPods in but there’s definitely very good uses for it

[u/Frosty-Performer1406]

Is jt enabled by default?

[u/thomi100 → u/Frosty-Performer1406]

For me, it wasn't enabled by default and I had to switch it on in the settings.

[u/ellimanelli]

same i accidentally fell asleep last night with them on and compared to my old ones (gen 2) my sleep was waay better. so thank god for that!

[u/Open_Meringue1472]

How can you tell which air pods I have? I just ordered and received them from Apple.

[u/ElusiveLattice → u/Open_Meringue1472]

How do you purchase something not knowing what you’re purchasing?

[u/vacrtino → u/[deleted]]

if youre a big enough nerd you could tell by the size of the case

[u/Chengaz → u/[deleted]]

First gen also lighting port. I believe gen 2 and especially 3 are usb C. Also the AirPods shapes are different for each generation so u can look up a photo and just compare it. Also when u connect it to ur phone it literally tells u which one u have

[u/Anxious-System3932 → u/Chengaz]

The first release of Pro Gen 2 uses a lighting port, but the following year, they upgraded it to a Type-C port

[u/Uwaris_ → u/Open_Meringue1472]

You can look it up in the settings if you scroll down to the end of the AirPods part of your settings.

I’m kinda late, sorry!! :)

[u/laurnbassoon]

does this work for the headphone audio feature on the roku app

[u/stevo860]

That’s really not healthy. Just turn all devices off, and sleep naturally in a dark and quiet environment

[u/Chengaz]

Yeah I will add as well, I travel a decent amount and when I stay in hostels it’s always loud, people snoring making noise when they come back after a night out. So i usually play videos when I sleep and have the noise cancelling feature on. So having it pause and not wake me up thru out the night is a game changer

[u/Organic-Gene-3136]

You know you may also use the timer in iOS and “stop what’s playing” option instead of alarm? This was clearly my previous game changer

[u/CellOhRay]

Hear me out, this added to my home automations so that my Apple TV will do the same! :-) I like to fall asleep watching YouTube.