There’s a particularly helpful new iOS 26 function buried within the iPhone’s settings — Maintain Audio With Headphones — that may undoubtedly enhance your listening expertise. Even higher, it doesn’t simply work with Apple’s personal AirPods; any third-party Bluetooth headphones can benefit from it.
Because the title suggests, Maintain Audio With Headphones prevents your iPhone from robotically switching audio out of your AirPods to CarPlay or one other Bluetooth machine if you join.
When this setting is enabled, you resolve when to maneuver your AirPods’ audio to CarPlay or a related Bluetooth system — whether or not by placing an AirPod again in its case, utilizing the iPhone’s Management Heart, or deciding on the output out of your dashboard’s CarPlay interface.
We positively don’t suggest driving with headphones on (extra on that in a bit), however this function avoids loads of irritating conditions. Many people have in all probability skilled them earlier than.
Many more moderen vehicles now provide wi-fi CarPlay. In older automobiles, you needed to plug in your iPhone to activate it, however now your cellphone can join robotically as quickly as you open the door — and even earlier should you begin your automotive remotely. That comfort has additionally meant {that a} distant begin or a passenger beginning the automotive may hijack your AirPods’ audio mid-call or mid-song.
Have you ever ever been on an essential name and needed to take care of just a few seconds of surprising misplaced audio as your automotive’s electrical system boots up? Has a pal or member of the family ever began your automotive when you have been in the midst of a piece name or different delicate dialog, solely to have the audio solely transferred? With Maintain Audio With Headphones turned on, your audio stays non-public and uninterrupted.
Right here’s find out how to allow Maintain Audio With Headphones:
- Open the Settings app in your iPhone.
- Choose Basic.
- Select AirPlay & Continuity.
- Toggle on Maintain Audio With Headphones.
Whereas not everybody had an issue with audio robotically transferring to CarPlay — person experiences different broadly with completely different automobiles throughout the previous few iOS releases — this new toggle addresses the difficulty head-on to make sure it really works constantly for everybody.
Though it eliminates the inconvenience of immediately shedding audio out of your AirPods, it’s not an endorsement of driving with headphones on. Shedding AirPod audio to your automotive is simply the most typical situation that Apple is fixing right here.
Legal guidelines about carrying headphones or earbuds whereas driving fluctuate from state to state. Some states ban the usage of headphones or earbuds altogether, whereas others enable drivers to put on each — or just one — usually restricted to particular functions, similar to making cellphone calls or following GPS navigation directions.
Even when the usage of headphones or earbuds whereas driving is authorized in your space, it’s nonetheless not protected and will produce other penalties within the occasion of an accident. Your state’s distracted driving legal guidelines should apply. Within the occasion of a collision, carrying headphones may impression insurance coverage declare legal responsibility and improve insurance coverage premiums. If you happen to’re cited for carrying headphones whereas driving in an space the place it’s unlawful, your insurance coverage charges will doubtless improve considerably.
The underside line is that we don’t suggest driving with headphones or earbuds in any respect. If you happen to do, be certain that to test your state’s legal guidelines — and positively depart Transparency on so you possibly can hear what’s occurring round you.
Nonetheless, this new iOS 26 function is a considerate quality-of-life enchancment that’s lengthy overdue — and one we love. Possibly you’ll, too!