Pixel Buds A-Series are also known as Pixel Buds A.
Based on your device, you can change the settings for your earbuds in different ways:
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On a Pixel phone with Android 10+: Go to Settings
Connected Devices
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On other Android devices: Open the Google Pixel Buds app
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Connected Devices 
.Tip: When you set up your Pixel Buds for the first time, you may be prompted to download and open the Pixel Buds app. Once downloaded, open the Pixel Buds app to go to the main settings screen for your connected Pixel Buds. Learn more on how to set up your Google Pixel Buds.
Manage your Pixel Buds settings
In this section, you can customize your earbuds' name, disconnect or forget them from your device, and control the noise control features.
To rename your Pixel Buds:
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Tap Edit
.
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Enter a new name.
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Tap Rename.
.Tip: If your earbuds' old name still shows on a device you've paired them with before, the new name will appear once you re-pair them. Learn more on how you can pair your earbuds.
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Pixel Buds Pro 2 |
Pixel Buds Pro |
Pixel Buds 2a |
Pixel Buds A |
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Active Noise Cancellation |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Adaptive Audio |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
|
Adaptive Sound |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Transparency |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Gemini |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Find Hub |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Touch controls |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Spatial Audio |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Head tracking |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
|
Conversation Detection |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
|
Eartip Seal Check |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Equalizer and Balance |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Hearing Wellness |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Audio switch |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Multipoint |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Case Sounds |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
|
Firmware update |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
These options for noise control will only appear when your Pixel Buds are actively connected to your device.
Noise control offers various modes to help you control the amount of external sound you experience:
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Active Noise Cancellation: This mode blocks out external noise to provide a more focused listening experience. A single chime indicates activation.
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Adaptive Audio: This mode lets in ambient sound while blocking unwanted and loud noises. This allows you to comfortably listen to your music, podcasts, and more while staying aware of your surroundings.
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Transparency: This mode lets in ambient sound, so you can stay aware of your surroundings. Double chime indicates activation.
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Off: Noise cancellation, adaptive, and transparency modes are all disabled. A single chime indicates that ANC is off.
You can enable these features by simply tapping their icon under Device details, or you can access them through "Touch controls" within "More controls." Learn how to use active noise control on Google Pixel Buds.
Adaptive Audio is only available on Pixel Buds Pro 2. This feature allows you to stay aware of the environment while reducing loud and unwanted noises.
This is different from the Adaptive Sound feature on older Pixel Buds A, which only adjusts volume to maintain a consistent listening level.
In contrast to the reactive Adaptive Sound, Adaptive Audio is a more advanced audio-management system. It works with the device's Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and transparency modes, using the powerful Tensor A1 chip to process audio much more intelligently and quickly.
More controls
These options for your digital assistant will only appear when your Pixel Buds are actively connected to your device.
From the assistant settings, you can:
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Configure your digital assistant and enable its features on your Pixel Buds.
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Manage how your spoken notifications are delivered.
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Toggle notifications on or off entirely.
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Control notifications for individual apps. Learn more on how you can manage spoken notifications on Gemini or Google Assistant.
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Enable "Hey Google" to access your digital assistant hands-free, even when your phone is locked.
Tip: You can switch your default assistant to Gemini on your Google Pixel Buds 2a, Google Pixel Buds Pro 2, Pixel Buds Pro, and Pixel Buds A. Learn more on how to use Gemini on Google Pixel Buds. Learn more about Google Assistant on Google Pixel Buds.
This feature allows you to pinpoint the precise location of your earbuds on a map. If your earbuds are misplaced, you can make them ring to locate them if they're nearby, or check their last known location on a map.
You can perform all gestures on either earbud, and you have the option to turn them on or off. With Pixel Buds 2a, Pro, and Pro 2, you can even customize these gestures.
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Tap:
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Play or pause media
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Answer a call
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Dismiss digital assistant
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Double Tap:
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Skip to the next track
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End or reject a call
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Triple Tap:
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Go to the previous track or repeat the current one
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Swipe Backward:
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Lower volume (This feature isn't available on Pixel Buds A and Pixel Buds 2a)
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Swipe Forward:
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Raise volume (This feature isn't available on Pixel Buds A and Pixel Buds 2a)
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Press and Hold (Android 6.0+ only):
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Activate digital assistant. To listen to notifications, hold until you hear a chime, and release the earbud.
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Pixel Buds Pro 2 only: Switch between Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), Transparency mode, and Adaptive Audio Sound. By default, this gesture is set to control ANC, but you can customize it in the Pixel Buds app to activate digital assistant instead.
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Tip: Some features are only accessible through specific touch and hold combinations.
Learn more on how you can learn controls for your Google Pixel Buds.
Spatial audio and Head tracking
Spatial Audio with head tracking is an exclusive feature for Pixel Buds Pro and Pixel Buds Pro 2. These earbuds work seamlessly with Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, and most newer Pixel phones, which creates an immersive, surround-sound-like effect. Head tracking isn't available for Pixel Buds A.
For Pixel Buds 2a, only stereo Spatial Audio is supported.
Learn more on how to use Spatial audio and head tracking.
Conversation Detection
Google Pixel Buds Pro Series Only
With this feature enabled, your Pixel Buds Pro will automatically switch from Noise Cancellation to Transparency mode and pause your media when you begin to speak. Once your conversation ends, your media will resume, and your Pixel Buds Pro will revert to Noise Cancellation mode.
Eartip Seal Check
Available only on Pixel Buds Pro series and Pixel Buds 2a.
The Eartip Seal Check is a valuable feature designed to help you optimize your audio experience. This tool assesses the quality of the seal created by your eartips. A proper seal is crucial to achieve the best possible sound, as it enhances bass response and improves noise isolation.
If you run the Eartip Seal Check, you can ensure your earbuds fit correctly, which allows you to enjoy your audio with optimal clarity and depth.
EQ and Balance
Equalizer
Volume EQ automatically fine-tunes your audio as you adjust the volume for a fuller, richer sound even at lower volumes.
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For Pixel Buds A and Pixel Buds Pro, you have the flexibility to customize your bass to your preference. Learn more on how you can customize your EQ settings on Pixel Buds.
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If you're using Google Pixel Buds, you can get more bass with bass boost.
Balance
With Volume balance, you can precisely control the volume levels between your left and right earbuds, or even switch to mono audio. Your chosen setting will apply consistently across all your paired devices.
This feature is only available on Google Pixel Buds Pro, Pro 2, and Pixel Buds 2a.
Hearing Wellness helps you comprehend your listening habits. It provides context about your exposure to high volume levels. It uses Volume level notifications to alert you when you exceed recommended listening limits.
This feature provides statistics on your listening habits and alerts you when loud sounds occur.
Harness audio switch and Multipoint to effortlessly move between your devices. Audio switch intelligently shifts your audio based on your activity. For example, if you're listening to music on your tablet and a call comes in on your phone, your audio will automatically switch.
Multipoint, available only on Pixel Buds 2a, Pixel Buds Pro, and Pixel Buds Pro 2, lets you stay connected to two devices simultaneously.
Multipoint isn’t available on Google Pixel Buds A.
Tip: You can enable Multipoint within the More settings section.
Learn more on how to use Multipoint and audio switch on Google Pixel Buds.
You can access firmware management options in the More settings > Firmware update menu. Here, you can:
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Check for updates: Check if a new firmware version is available.
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Toggle automatic updates: Enable or disable automatic firmware downloads and installations.
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Manually initiate an update: Start a firmware update yourself (available for Pixel Buds 2a, Pixel Buds Pro, Pixel Buds Pro 2, and Pixel Buds A).
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Access firmware versions: Find the current firmware version for both your Pixel Buds and their charging case.
Add app icon to home screen
For Pixel phones, you can quickly access your Pixel Buds settings when you add a shortcut directly to your Home screen.
In-ear detection
Pixel Buds feature automatic ear detection. They sense when they're in or out of your ear. If you remove them, your audio automatically pauses and if you put them back in, and your audio resumes playing.
Learn more on how to manage in-ear detection.
Case sounds
You'll receive sound alerts confirming various actions and states, such as proper earbud placement in the case, charging, low battery, and successful pairing. Additionally, you'll be alerted if any errors occur. This is available only on Pixel Buds Pro 2.
About
Restart tutorial: This tutorial guides you through setting up your device.
Status: Check the connection status of your earbuds, including their model and audio device type.
Serial numbers: Find the serial numbers for your connected earbuds and the charging case here.
Usage & diagnostics
This feature collects anonymized data related to how you interact with the headphones and the app itself. This data helps Google evaluate the reliability, usability, and effectiveness of various features. This allows for ongoing improvements to the device's performance, battery life, system stability, and overall app functionality.
Tips and support
This option provides access to Help Center articles for troubleshooting device issues and errors. You can also contact us through call or chat for support.
Notifications
You can choose to receive two types of notifications:
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Email notifications: Get updates on new Google hardware products, features, and offers. You'll also receive invitations to participate in improving these products and services.
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Reminder notifications: Receive a reminder when it's time to clean your earbuds. Regular cleaning helps maintain audio quality and charging performance.
Send feedback
This option lets you manually submit feedback to actively contribute to the ongoing improvement of your Google Pixel Buds experience.
Safety, warranty & regulatory
This option provides access to safety, warranty and regulatory information about your device.
Follow the instructions listed below to change headphones settings.
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Connect your Pixel Buds to your phone
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Press and hold the center button on your phone to invoke your Google Assistant
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Tap on
Headphones settings
Headphones settings
What's in the headphones settings menu?
Here are some examples of what's available in headphones settings menu:
Tutorials
If you need a refresher on what you can do with your Pixel Buds, you can check out a few helpful tutorials.
Double Tap Gesture Customization
Choose your desired action for the double tap gesture: Check notifications or Next track.
Battery Level
The headphones settings menu will inform you of how much power you have left in your Pixel Buds.
Status
The headphones settings menu will inform you the connection status of your Pixel Buds to your phone.
Firmware Version
The headphones settings menu will keep you informed on the current firmware running on your Pixel Buds.
Serial Number
The headphones settings menu will tell you the serial number of your Pixel Buds.
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