One of the upgrades that Apple introduced in AirPods Pro 2 that none of its other earbuds have included (so far) is on-device volume control. This is relatively common on the best wireless earbuds, but it had eluded Apple's until now.
The touch-based system requires you to swipe gently up or down on the front on the stalk on either AirPod (the easiest way to do this reliably is to put your thumb to the back to brace it, then swipe with your index finger).
While this is unquestionably useful to have, I've been finding them a little touchy – I'm triggering them accidentally more than I'd like. Sometimes it happens when I'm trying to just play/pause or switch between noise cancellation and the Adaptive Transparency mode, and I guess I'm just dragging my finger a little when I lift it off; sometimes it happens when I'm just trying to adjust the fit to make sure they're sealed properly.
It's not happening so often that I'm being driven to desperation, but I've hoping for a way to fix it – and there is! You can change how easy the volume controls are to trigger, or – as of iOS 16.1 – turn them off completely.
If you've picked up AirPods Pro 2 (or are hoping to get some in the Black Friday AirPods deals) and are also find the volume touch controls a little too touchy, here's how to make those changes. If you turn them off, it will still keep the squeezy controls active for playing/pausing and switching noise cancellation modes (which I will never turn off – the squeezy sticks of AirPods remain my favorite earbuds control method so far).
Personally, just switching to a longer swipe has solved the problem for me, at least in the time since I made the change – but here are all the options for you.