Apple’s upcoming iOS 26 update, now in developer beta, is shaping up to be one of the most thoughtful releases yet-not just for its fresh new look, but also for its subtle quality-of-life improvements. 
One such gem? A clever new feature for AirPods (and possibly Beats headphones) called “Pause Media When Falling Asleep.”
This feature is designed for people who love drifting off to a podcast, audiobook, or music. It automatically pauses playback once it senses you’ve fallen asleep-saving your spot in the audio and sparing your earbuds from draining battery overnight.
Although Apple teased the feature at WWDC 2025, it flew under the radar. Thanks to code spotted by MacRumors contributor Steve Moser, it appears this capability might also roll out to Beats headphones, not just AirPods.
The exact method Apple will use to detect sleep hasn’t been confirmed yet. But it’s likely based on the built-in accelerometers in AirPods, which already power features like automatic ear detection and spatial audio tracking. Similar to how the Apple Watch uses motion sensors to recognize sleep patterns, AirPods could quietly analyze your stillness to do the same.
Even better, the feature will reportedly be enabled by default in iOS 26. You’ll be able to manage it through the Settings app when your compatible earbuds are connected.
To use this function, you’ll need both iOS 26 and updated firmware, which is currently in beta. The public beta should arrive later this month, with a stable release expected this fall, likely alongside the highly anticipated iPhone 17 launch.
For night-time listeners like me, this is a dream come true. No more fumbling to find the last point you remember. Just press play and pick up right where you left off.