In any case, here’s how to set up and use AirPods as a video mic in iOS 26.

Apple AirPods have always doubled as wireless microphones during meetings, phone calls, and FaceTime sessions, but for many years, there was no way to capture audio using AirPods while recording video in the iPhone’s camera app.

Now, though, iOS 26 has added the ability to use Apple’s best wireless earbuds as a video mic in supported camera apps, meaning you can treat your AirPods like one of the best wireless mics while capturing video content.

Note that this feature is exclusive to the AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Pro 3, and it isn’t currently available in all countries or regions (Apple doesn’t specify which countries, though we know EU regions are excluded at the time of writing). So, if you can’t see any of the Settings mentioned in the tutorial below, hardware limitations or regional restrictions may be to blame.