AirPods Custom EQ interaction

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This post is from the WWDC26 Audio Q&A.

In iOS 27, when a user has configured a custom AirPods EQ (three-band lows/mids/highs), does that EQ apply on top of audio output from AVAudioEngine in my app, or only to media playback through AVPlayer/MPMusicPlayerController? My app generates therapeutic frequencies (e.g. 528 Hz pure tones) where precise frequency output matters - is there any API to detect or opt out of the system AirPods EQ?

Answered by Engineer in 890742022

The EQ is applied on the AirPods and applies across all playback types. Note that the EQ does not change the frequency of the output, only the magnitude of each band.

Answer 1

Engineer OP

Apple

2h

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The EQ is applied on the AirPods and applies across all playback types. Note that the EQ does not change the frequency of the output, only the magnitude of each band.