iOS 26 will soon introduce a smart resting feature for your AirPods, and the Beats headphones might join this novelty.
This could be really helpful.
Apple is introducing a new automatic pause feature for AirPods when the user falls asleep. This advancement was briefly mentioned during WWDC 2025 and is expected to be available in the iOS 26 beta. Furthermore, there are indications that this feature will also extend to Beats headphones, which are owned by Apple.
Recently, it was discovered in the iOS 26 code that Beats devices will receive the option to automatically pause audio. However, it was unclear before whether Beats headphones would have this functionality. To access this new option, users will need to have the iOS 26 beta and the beta firmware for the AirPods, in addition to having AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods 4. While wearing the AirPods, users will need to go to the settings on their iPhone and look for the "Pause Media When You Fall Asleep" option.
Although this feature seems promising, Apple has not provided details on how it will work, and it has not yet been widely tested. It is expected that no additional hardware, such as an Apple Watch, will be needed for it to function properly.
While the full launch of iOS 26 is scheduled for September, it appears that the feature is already operating with a sufficient degree of reliability, despite the similarities between someone reclining and listening to a podcast and someone falling asleep with AirPods on. If this feature proves to be effective, it would be a useful addition, as it could help conserve battery life and prevent users from losing their place in the content they're enjoying, although the speed at which the automatic pause activates is still unknown.
It has not been clarified which Beats models will have the necessary sensor technology for this feature, but it is likely that newer models, such as the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, which have been well-received in reviews, will be included.
In addition to the automatic pause when sleeping, the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 will also receive improvements in audio recording through their microphones and the remote control of the iPhone camera with the new operating system update.
