AirPods with head tracking
| Model | Head tracking | Works with Just a Pause |
|---|---|---|
| AirPods 1 | No | No |
| AirPods 2 | No | No |
| AirPods Pro (1st generation) | Yes | Yes |
| AirPods Max, Lightning and USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| AirPods 3 | Yes | Yes |
| AirPods Pro (2nd generation), Lightning and USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC | Yes | Yes |
| AirPods Pro (3rd generation) | Yes | Yes |
| AirPods Max 2 | Yes | Yes |
| AirPods 5 | Yes | Yes |
| Beats, Sony, Bose and other headphones | Not available to macOS apps | No |
Which Macs support AirPods head tracking?
Any Mac running macOS 14 Sonoma or later, with Apple silicon or Intel. macOS 14 is the first version that lets apps read head motion from AirPods. On macOS 13 Ventura or earlier, Spatial Audio may still work, but apps can't use the motion data.
To check your macOS version, open the Apple menu and choose About This Mac.
How to check which AirPods you have
- Put your AirPods in your ears so they connect to your Mac.
- Open System Settings.
- Click your AirPods' name in the sidebar, under your Apple Account.
- The model and firmware version are shown at the top and under About.
You can also look up the model number printed inside the case lid or on each AirPod on Apple's support site.
What you can do with head tracking on Mac
Apple uses it to keep Spatial Audio anchored to your screen. Just a Pause uses it for something else: noticing when you look away. When you turn away from your Mac, the screen softly blurs, hiding what's on it from a passing glance. When you look back, it clears. See how it works.
Common questions
Do AirPods Pro have head tracking?
Yes. AirPods Pro (1st, 2nd and 3rd generation) all have head tracking for Spatial Audio, and Macs on macOS 14 Sonoma or later can read it.
Do AirPods 4 have head tracking?
Yes. Both AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation have head tracking.
Do AirPods 2 have head tracking?
No. AirPods 1 and AirPods 2 have no motion sensors for head tracking.
Does head tracking work on Mac?
Yes, on macOS 14 Sonoma or later. macOS uses it for Spatial Audio, and apps such as Just a Pause can read it with your permission.
How do I check which AirPods I have on Mac?
Put your AirPods in your ears, open System Settings and click your AirPods' name in the sidebar. The model is listed there. You can also find the model number printed on the AirPods themselves.