AirPods Pro on older iPhone

Didn't think you were trying to pick a fight. ;-)

Anything that requires using the settings on the iPhone, you can't do with the AirPods on the older devices. I can't be more specific than that. I'd suggest you let Apple know that where you think they can improve the documentation:

Product Feedback - Apple

The information you're looking for is probably somewhere. But, I couldn't find it either and I looked.

Best of luck.

This is very frustrating. The AirPods Pro seem to work well with Android (NC and Transparency mode, for example), but it is unclear what you can do with iOS 12 or older. The Apple site states (Tech Specs footnote 10) - "AirPods Pro can be used as Bluetooth headphones with Apple devices using earlier software and with non-Apple devices, but functionality is limited."

What functionality is supported? Why not details on this?

AirPods should work with older iPhones the same way they work with an Android phone. However, you won't have the same automatic pairing. You won't be able to access any settings for them from the phone. They will be just like any standard BT headphones. Not really worth the money if you don't have a more modern device but, they will work.

Thanks -- I just wish Apple would say what functionality is supported. I have an iPhone X, so I am very happy with the new Airpods Pro. I lent them to my son today as he is about to go on a long flight. He has an iPhone 6s and thought that noise cancellation wasn't working. He hasn't updated to iOS 13.2 yet.

Unfortunately your replies are as unclear as Apple's.

You say they will work, but then say they wouldn't work. Seems very strange that noice cancellation and transparency work on Android and might not on older iPhones. However, I just don't know. Apple is not helping us on this one.

When my son returns with my Airpods Pro, I wil test them myself on a variety of iPhones and IOS levels. Apple, of course, would like us all to have the latest iOS version and newer devices, but they should be transparent about what the functionality is for ALL their customers.

When I said, "that won't work", (not "they won't work") I meant the noise cancelling function, not the AirPods themselves. I was responding to

He has an iPhone 6s and thought that noise cancellation wasn't working.

No worries. I am not trying to pick a fight. My point is that one needs to be specific. Saying it will work or won’t work doesn’t give me the whole picture. Apple saying that functionality is limited is not helpful.

Thanks for the advice; I will send them my feedback. They are probably sick of hearing from me...

Again, the devil is in the details. One doesn’t need to use the settings to change the AirPods Pro from noise cancellation to transparency mode or the third mode which is just passive. This can be done by squeezing the stem and seems to be supported on Android. It is unclear whether this works with iOS 12 and older. A simple question, with apparently no simple answer to be found.

I heard the other day that they do not work at all with the iPhone 6, the 6 also cannot be upgraded to the latest iOS 13.

I would upgrade my phone first.

No, I expect that wouldn't work.

Thanks for adding to the general knowledge. I now know more than I did when I first read your question!