How to Skip Songs on Your AirPods or AirPods Pro: 4 Ways

There comes a moment in every music lover’s life when a perfectly good playlist suddenly betrays them. Maybe the algorithm serves up a song that feels like it was chosen by a sleep-deprived raccoon. Maybe you’ve heard the chorus 847 times already. Maybe your “focus playlist” somehow wandered into a ukulele cover of a breakup anthem. Whatever the reason, you need to skip the track fast. Preferably without digging your phone out of your pocket like you’re searching for buried treasure.

That is exactly where AirPods and AirPods Pro earn their keep. Apple made it possible to skip songs in a few different ways, whether you want to tap, press, squeeze, speak, or control playback from another device. The trick is knowing which method works on your specific model, because Apple has changed the controls over the years. Older AirPods rely on double-tap gestures, while AirPods Pro and stem-style models use press controls on the stem. Same goal, slightly different finger choreography.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to skip songs on AirPods and how to skip tracks on AirPods Pro using four practical methods. We’ll also cover helpful setup tips, common mistakes, and a few real-life examples so you can stop wrestling with your earbuds and get back to your playlist like the capable audio wizard you are.

Why Learning AirPods Song Controls Actually Matters

Skipping songs is not just a tiny convenience. It changes how you use your earbuds day to day. When you know the controls by heart, your AirPods become more than wireless headphones. They become a remote control for your entire listening experience.

That matters when you’re jogging, commuting, studying, cleaning your room, or pretending to study while actually reorganizing your playlist for the fifth time. It also matters when your phone is zipped into a bag, charging across the room, or hiding in jeans so tight they qualify as emotional support denim.

The better you understand AirPods controls, the less you need to stop what you’re doing. That means smoother workouts, fewer interruptions, and far less dramatic sighing every time the wrong song starts.

Way 1: Skip Songs Directly From the AirPods Themselves

This is the fastest and most popular method, because it lets you move to the next song without touching your phone, watch, or laptop. But the exact gesture depends on which AirPods you have.

For AirPods Pro and Stem-Style AirPods

If you use AirPods Pro, the basic move is simple: double-press the stem to skip to the next track. On many models, a triple-press takes you back to the previous track. One press usually plays or pauses audio.

The important part is where you press. Newer AirPods are not really asking for a random slap on the outside. You need to press or squeeze the stem area where the control sensor sits. If you’ve been tapping the bulb part of the earbud and getting nowhere, congratulations, you’ve been fighting the wrong part of the gadget.

This method works beautifully for music because it’s quick and muscle-memory friendly. After a few days, you’ll stop thinking about it. Your fingers will just know. That’s the dream.

For AirPods 1st and 2nd Generation

Older AirPods work differently. Instead of pressing the stem, you use a double-tap gesture on an AirPod. Depending on your settings, double-tapping can skip to the next track, play or pause audio, activate Siri, or go to the previous track.

Here’s the catch: not every older AirPods setup is configured the same way. If double-tapping does not skip the song, the control may be assigned to something else. That does not mean your AirPods are broken. It just means Apple gave you options and then quietly expected you to remember what you picked six months ago.

Best Time to Use This Method

• When your phone is in your pocket or bag
• When you are walking, commuting, or exercising
• When you want the quickest hands-on control
• When you do not feel like talking to Siri in public like you’re starring in a sci-fi movie

Way 2: Ask Siri to Skip the Song

If pressing tiny earbuds is not your thing, Siri can do the work for you. Voice control is one of the easiest ways to skip tracks, especially when your hands are busy or your phone is nowhere nearby.

You can say things like:

• “Hey Siri, skip this song.”
• “Hey Siri, next track.”
• “Hey Siri, play the next song.”

On supported models, Siri can also help with related tasks like pausing music, going back, lowering the volume, or starting a playlist. If you use Apple Music, Spotify, Podcasts, or another audio app, Siri is often the easiest no-touch option.

Why Siri Is Surprisingly Useful

Let’s say you’re cooking and your hands are covered in pancake batter. Or you’re carrying groceries. Or you’re halfway through a treadmill run and your soul simply cannot survive one more motivational remix. Siri is the hero of these moments.

Voice control is also helpful if your AirPods are seated securely and you do not want to fiddle with them. Some people find pressing the stems slightly awkward at first, especially during workouts. A voice command can be smoother.

When Siri Is Not the Best Choice

Siri is excellent when you’re alone or in a loud environment where nobody cares what you’re saying. In a quiet classroom, library, or crowded bus, yelling “skip this song” may feel a little too theatrical. Your mileage may vary depending on your confidence level and your willingness to be That Person.

Way 3: Use Your iPhone or iPad Playback Controls

Sometimes the simplest answer is still the one staring back at you from your screen. If your AirPods are connected to your iPhone or iPad, you can skip songs using the playback controls on the Lock Screen, in Control Center, or inside the music app you’re using.

How This Works

Open the audio controls on your device and tap the next track button. That’s it. No squeezing stems. No double taps. No pleading with Siri like a digital butler.

This is especially useful if:

• Your AirPods controls are not responding properly
• You are already holding your phone
• You want to see what’s next in the queue
• You want more precise control over playlists, podcasts, or albums

Why This Counts as a Real AirPods Method

Your AirPods are still the listening device, even if the command happens on the phone or tablet. Think of it like using a TV remote. You are still controlling the same experience, just from a different place.

This method is also a lifesaver when audio apps behave a little differently. In music apps, “next” usually means the next song. In podcast or video apps, it may mean jumping ahead by a set amount or moving to the next episode. If your stem press seems to do something odd, checking the on-screen controls can quickly reveal how that app handles playback.

Way 4: Skip Songs From Another Connected Apple Device

Your AirPods do not live only in your ears. They also live in Apple’s ecosystem, where your iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac all join hands and say, “We can make this slightly more convenient.” And for once, they are right.

If your AirPods are connected through your Apple devices, you can often skip tracks from your Apple Watch, your Mac keyboard controls, or the media controls in another Apple app.

Using Apple Watch

If you’re wearing an Apple Watch, the Now Playing and Music controls can help you move through tracks without touching your phone. This is especially handy during workouts, walks, and errands, because your wrist is easier to reach than a buried phone.

For many users, this becomes the stealthiest option of all. A quick glance at the watch, one tap to move to the next track, and done. No dramatic hand movement. No earbuds pinching. No voice command. Just efficient little wrist magic.

Using a Mac or iPad

If your AirPods are connected to a Mac or iPad, you can also skip songs using on-screen playback controls, media keys, or app controls. This is ideal when you’re working at a desk and your AirPods are mainly serving as your wireless listening setup.

In other words, your earbuds do not have to do all the heavy lifting. Sometimes the best AirPods Pro song skip method is simply the device already in front of your face.

How to Check or Change Your AirPods Settings

If skipping tracks is not working the way you expect, your settings deserve a quick look.

For Older AirPods

On first- and second-generation AirPods, you can usually choose what a double-tap does on the left or right earbud. If double-tap is set to Siri or play/pause, it will not skip songs until you change it.

Go to your AirPods settings on your paired device, then look for the left and right tap actions. Set one side to Next Track if that’s your preferred shortcut.

For AirPods Pro

On AirPods Pro, the skip gesture is generally built into the press controls. The settings area is still useful, though, because you can manage other features like press-and-hold behavior, listening modes, microphone preferences, and automatic ear detection.

That means you may not be “customizing the skip button” in the same way as older AirPods, but you can still tailor the overall experience so playback feels smoother and more intuitive.

Common Reasons Song Skipping Is Not Working

If your AirPods refuse to cooperate, do not panic. They may be stubborn, but they are rarely mysterious.

You’re Using the Wrong Gesture

This is the big one. Older AirPods use double-tap. AirPods Pro use stem presses. If you mix those up, your earbuds will respond with the emotional energy of a rock.

You’re Pressing the Wrong Spot

On AirPods Pro, press the stem sensor area, not the outer shell. A lot of first-time users tap the side and wonder why nothing happens. The earbuds, meanwhile, remain completely unbothered.

The App Handles Playback Differently

Music apps, podcast apps, audiobook apps, and video apps do not always treat “skip” the same way. In one app, it may go to the next song. In another, it may jump forward within the current episode.

Your Connection Is Acting Up

If playback controls suddenly stop working, try reconnecting your AirPods. In more stubborn cases, forget the device and pair it again. If things are truly cursed, a reset can often solve the issue.

Which Method Is Best?

If you want speed, use the built-in AirPods controls. If your hands are full, use Siri. If you want the clearest visual feedback, use your iPhone or iPad. If you’re exercising or multitasking, your Apple Watch may become your favorite tiny DJ booth.

The “best” method really depends on what you’re doing. Most people end up using a mix of all four. That is the sweet spot: knowing enough shortcuts that you never feel stuck with a song you do not want to hear.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to skip songs on your AirPods or AirPods Pro is one of those tiny tech skills that makes everyday life noticeably easier. Once you know the right gesture or command for your model, you can move through music, podcasts, and playlists without breaking your rhythm.

The key is matching the method to the moment. Use the stems or taps when you want speed. Use Siri when your hands are busy. Use your phone when you want full control. Use your watch or another Apple device when convenience wins.

And if all else fails, remember this universal truth: the song is not skipping because your AirPods hate you. They are usually just waiting for the correct press, tap, or setting. Technology loves confidence. Or at least a firm double-press.

Real-Life Experiences With Skipping Songs on AirPods and AirPods Pro

Using AirPods in real life is a little different from reading the manual. On paper, the controls sound simple. In practice, there is usually a short learning curve where you press too lightly, too high, too low, or like you are trying to negotiate with the earbud instead of controlling it. Almost everyone has that awkward first week.

A common experience with AirPods Pro is realizing that the stem controls work best when you squeeze with intention. Not aggressively. You are not trying to crush an almond. But definitely more deliberately than a casual tap. Once that clicks, skipping songs becomes second nature. People often go from “Why is this not working?” to “Wow, I just skipped three bad songs in a row without touching my phone” in the span of a single commute.

Older AirPods have their own personality. The double-tap gesture can feel wonderfully quick once you get used to it, but it depends heavily on how your settings are configured. Some users discover that one side launches Siri, while the other side plays or pauses. That can be confusing at first, especially if you bought used AirPods or forgot how you set them up years ago. The good news is that once the tap action is assigned to Next Track, it becomes a very convenient shortcut.

Workout situations are where AirPods controls really prove their value. When you are running, lifting, or speed-walking like you have a mission from destiny, pulling out your phone is annoying. In those moments, the ability to skip a slow song instantly can completely change your momentum. A bad song during a workout feels about three times longer than it actually is. AirPods help fix that problem before it becomes a personal crisis.

Commuters tend to love Siri for the same reason. If your hands are occupied with a bag, coffee, subway pole, or the general business of surviving the morning, saying “Hey Siri, next song” can be easier than fiddling with a tiny control. It is also useful in cold weather when your fingers are hidden inside gloves and your phone is buried under approximately four layers of clothing and one poor life decision.

Students and desk workers often end up preferring their Apple Watch, iPhone, or Mac controls instead. That is because they are already looking at a screen. Tapping a next-track button on a nearby device can be simpler than adjusting an earbud mid-task. It is a small thing, but those tiny moments of convenience add up over the course of a day.

Another very real experience is accidentally skipping when adjusting your earbuds. This happens less often with stem-style press controls than with super-sensitive touch surfaces on some other earbuds, which is one reason many people end up liking the AirPods Pro design. The gesture feels more intentional. You are less likely to trigger it by mistake while fixing the fit.

The overall lesson from daily use is pretty straightforward: the best skipping method is the one that fits your routine. Some people become loyal stem-squeezers. Some go full Siri. Some use their watch like a tiny command center. None of these users are wrong. They have simply found the path of least annoyance, which is honestly the highest form of modern technology success.

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