AirPods Double-Tap Not Working: 9 Solutions To Fix It

Need help getting Siri on double-tapping AirPods? Or struggling with the music on double tap? That’s not an issue. We are here with the full-proof guide on it.

AirPods is the most equipped device by any iPhone/mac user to ease their interaction with that device. It allows Siri to read messages for you, tell you the calling person’s name/number, control the music’s play/pause, and much more on its Double-Tap.

AirPods, due to their salient features, are used the most, and sometimes it’s one of the core’s functionality, i.e., double tap stops working, or you are not getting the response properly from the AirPods or the Device. We are here to pull you out of this ditch.

This post will cover the notable reasons and the possible fixes to the AirPods (1st and 2nd Generation) problem, “Double Tap Not Working.”

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How To Fix AirPods Double-Tap Not Working – 9 Solutions

Some possible reasons that AirPods are not working are the double-tap feature is not enabled, hardware issues with the AirPods, the Phone’s software being outdated, etc.

These issues can be fixed by ensuring the double tap feature is enabled, the phone is up to date, the AirPods sensor’s part is clean/dust free, and more.

Solution 1: Enable the Double-Tap Feature of AirPods

The double-tap feature of the AirPods is activated after connecting them to the Device. Once the Airpods are connected, you must navigate to the Bluetooth settings to ensure it is not Off. Once done, the double-tap feature will be enabled per the user’s option.

Go through the steps to quickly understand how it is done:

Step 1: Connect the AirPods to the Phone. Go to the Bluetooth settings and then click on your AirPod’s device name(if not connected already).

Step 2: After a successful connection, click on the info icon.

Step 3: Inside the info, you will find the DOUBLE-TAP AIRPOD for both, i.e., left and right, as shown below.

The image clearly shows that both AirPods are set to Siri on Double-Tap.

You can also change the option by clicking on any AirPod. When you click, you will get four options (that assure airpods are enabled), i.e., Siri, Next Track, Previous Track, and Play/Pause. Make sure you have checked one of these.

This easy solution will work if you still need to enable the Double-Tap feature.

Solution 2: Turn Off the Auto Detection Feature

The Auto Detection feature detects the Airpods when plugged into the ears. If the Auto Detection is turned ON and the AirPods are not plugged into the ears, then the Double-Tap feature will not work as this Auto Detection feature also detects whether the AirPod is plugged into the ears or not.

So, to work with Double-Tap on AirPods, this detection feature must be turned off. The steps to turn off the Auto Detection are as follows.

Note: Step 1 and Step 2 of this method are the same as Solution 1. As per that, you must be inside the info option of the connected AirPods.

Look for Auto Ear Detection inside the info option, then turn the toggle button Off.

Now, reconnect your AirPods, and you will see the Double-Tap works even if it is not plugged into the ear.

Solution 3: Re-Set and Re-Pair the AirPods

If the above solution fails, you must reset and re-pair the AirPods. The recommended process is to unpair the AirPods, reset them, and pair them again. This process may also work if the AirPods and the Device’s connection affect performance.

Step 1: Forget

Click the info icon to get inside the AirPod’s connectivity settings
Scroll down to see the Forget This Device option, as seen below.

Step 2: Reset

Open the Flip of the AirPods case and ensure both Pods are inside.
Press the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds or until the white light blinks.

Step 3: Reconnect

Keep the Flip open, and the AirPods will appear on the OTHER DEVICES option, as in my case, it is shown below.

Click on the device name (as shown above) to reconnect.

Solution 4: Keep the AirPods Sensor’s Area Clean

If the AirPods are exposed to the air for longer, they might catch dust/air particles. This dust/hindrance prevents the AirPods sensors from detecting the Double-Tap properly, which ultimately does not give the required results.

To do so, the users must keep the Sensor area clean by following a quick process.

If you don’t know the recommended method, follow the below:

Note: Before going in, make sure the AirPods are not connected to any device.

Use the AirPods Cleaning Kit (Recommended)

The AirPods cleaning kits are available to keep the AirPods fresh and new daily. You only require a mini brush and a piece of microfiber cloth to get things done.

First, use the Brush to scrap the dust from the sensor.
Then, use the microfiber cloth to clean it gently. (You can use any soft fabric as well).

Solution 5: Some Quick Remedies

Besides the technicalities, several useful remedies must be adopted to function the Double-Tap feature in AirPods properly. Some of the quick remedies are listed below:

Ensure you are tapping on the right part of the AirPod.
Most of the time, the users try to interact softly with the AirPod, which does not invoke the Double-Tap feature. So, it would be best if you gently tapped on the sensor to activate the Double-Tap functionality.

Solution 6: Update the Firmware

Firmware is what you need to keep on updating to get the features working correctly. The Firmware of AirPods update is available in the Settings of the AirPods.

Follow the below steps to see how it works:

Step 1: Connect AirPods with the Phone.

Step 2: Go to Settings and select the General option.

Step 3: Then choose About.

And look for the AirPods, i.e., Adnan (in our case).

If any Firmware update is available, you will see it on the screen. In our case, the Firmware is already updated.

That’s how the Firmware is updated to fix the AirPods Double-Tap issue possibly.

Solution 7: Reset Network/Bluetooth Settings

The Network Settings resets the network connections, which includes Bluetooth as well. By resetting, all the Network connections, i.e., WiFi and Bluetooth, will be reset.

Want to do it? Follow the steps:

Step 1: Open the Settings App on the Device, and choose General.

Step 2: Inside General settings, select Transfer or Reset iPhone.

Step 3: Here, select the Reset option.

Step 3: Now, click on Reset Networks Settings.

If there is any prompt, use your PassCode or FaceID to authenticate.

This Network’s reset will take a few moments, be patient until the reset is complete. Now, connect your AirPods and test the Double-Tap feature.

Solution 8: Connect AirPods to a Different Device and Vice Versa

Have you tried to connect your AirPods to a different device? There may be a possibility of any malfunction in your phone. So, check your AirPods on a different device.

Moreover, you need to change the AirPods to accomplish the device alteration. This process authenticates whether there is a problem with AirPods or not.

Solution 9: Contact Apple Support

That’s the last method to go for. Once you have tested all the above methods, it’s time to contact Apple Support. Apple Support might be helpful in this situation.

Go to the AirPods Official Support Page and scroll down the page to Get Support as shown below:

After that, you will get the following interface which allows you to choose the Bring in for Repair or Call Us option to get them on the Phone.

You can get Apple’s assistance to eliminate the issue by choosing the right option.

Do All AirPods Have a Double-Tap feature?

The Double-Tap feature of the AirPods is available on the AirPods 1st and 2nd Generation. However, from the third generation, this Double-Tap feature was replaced with the force sensor at the stem of the Pods (inspired by the functionality of the AirPods Pro).

Like AirPods Pro, the AirPods Max does not offer the Double-Tap feature.

Do the AirPod and AirPods Pro Have the Same Sensors?

There is a slight difference in the working of AirPods Pro and AirPods. As discussed, the first and second-generation AirPods have the Double-Tap feature. Like, the 3rd generation AirPods, the AirPods Pro is equipped with the force-sensor, which is placed at the stem of each AirPod.

Let’s discuss quickly how the force-sensor works:

The AirPod detects the force applied on the stem and performs the actions.
The force sensor stops the music (or any other activity) if the AirPods are removed from the ears.

Bottom Line

Summarizing the issues and fixes to the problem, “double-tap not working” on AirPods. The possible reasons are that your Phone’s software is not up-to-date, the double tap feature is not enabled, and AirPods sensors have cached some dust/sensors not working,

The Double-Tap feature is available only on AirPods (1st and 2nd generations), while the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max have either the force-sensor or the touch-sensor.

Related Readings:

Does AirPods Sound Quality Degrade Over Time?

Why Do My AirPods Vibrate/Rattle When I Talk?

Why Does AirPods Pro 2 Case Beep? (How to Fix It)

Why Do AirPods Pro Whistle? Here is Why

Why Do AirPods Make My Ears Wet? Here is Why!

Does AirPods Support aptX? Answered

Why Are My AirPods Charging Unevenly?

Adnan Shabbir

Adnan is a Software Engineer with an aim to learn and teach the community through words. The go-to expert about Technology. He has honed his skills in crafting easy-to-understand documentation, tutorials, and articles on these powerful tools.