Reconfigure touch sensors on Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro

Introduction

The Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro are praised for their active noise cancellation, balanced sound signature, and compact design. A feature that often gets overlooked is the touch sensor system on each earbud. By default the sensors are set to a basic tap‑and‑hold scheme, but the Soundcore app lets you reshape them to match your workflow, reduce accidental triggers, and unlock hidden functions. Whether you are a commuter who wants quick access to playback controls, an athlete who needs a stable double‑tap for calls, or a tech enthusiast who loves fine‑tuning every interaction, reconfiguring the touch sensors can make the earbuds feel like an extension of your hand.

This guide walks you through every step of the reconfiguration process, from preparing your device to troubleshooting stubborn issues. By the end you will be able to assign custom actions to single taps, double taps, long presses, and even combine gestures to create a truly personalized control scheme.

How the Touch Sensors Work

Each Liberty Air 2 Pro earbud houses a capacitive touch sensor on its outer surface. The sensor detects the change in electrical field when a fingertip makes contact, translating it into a command that the firmware interprets. The firmware distinguishes three basic gestures:

• Single tap – a quick touch and release.
• Double tap – two rapid taps within a short interval.
• Long press – a sustained touch of about one second or more.

The default mapping is:

These defaults work for most casual listeners, but they can feel limiting when you need faster access to specific functions such as volume steps, ANC mode toggling, or launching a favorite streaming app. The Soundcore app expands the command set to include:

• Volume up / down (single‑tap or long press)
• ANC toggle (single‑tap)
• Ambient Mode toggle (double‑tap)
• Call answer / end (long press)
• Custom preset selection (double‑tap)

Understanding the distinction between left and right earbud behavior is important because the app lets you set each earbud independently. This means you could assign a volume increase to the left earbud’s single tap while keeping the right earbud’s single tap as play/pause.

Prerequisites

Before you start reconfiguring, make sure the following conditions are met:

• Soundcore app installed – The latest version of the Soundcore app (available on iOS App Store and Google Play Store) is required. Older versions may lack the touch‑control customization screen.
• Firmware up‑to‑date – Open the app, go to Device Settings → Firmware Update and apply any pending updates. Firmware version 3.2.0 or later includes the full sensor‑mapping menu.
• Earbuds charged – Ensure both earbuds have at least 20 % battery. Low battery can cause the sensors to behave erratically during configuration.
• Bluetooth connection stable – Pair the earbuds with the phone you intend to use for the setup. A stable connection prevents intermittent loss of control commands while you are in the app.

Once these prerequisites are satisfied, you are ready to dive into the configuration process.

Accessing the Touch‑Control Settings

1. Launch the Soundcore app and sign in if prompted.
2. Select your Liberty Air 2 Pro from the device list at the top of the screen. If the earbuds are not listed, tap Add Device and follow the on‑screen pairing instructions.
3. Navigate to Device Settings – tap the gear icon next to the device name.
4. Find the Touch Controls option – scroll down until you see a section labeled Touch Controls or Gesture Settings. Tap it to open the customization screen.

The customization screen presents three rows for each earbud, labeled Single Tap, Double Tap, and Long Press. Each row contains a dropdown menu that lists the available actions.

Step‑by‑Step Reconfiguration

Below is a detailed, non‑numbered walk‑through that you can follow at your own pace. Use bullet points for the actions you need to perform; feel free to skip steps that do not apply to your situation.

Choose Your Desired Actions

• Open the Touch Controls screen as described above.
• For the left earbud, tap the dropdown under Single Tap and select the function you want. Common choices include Volume Up or Play/Pause.
• For the right earbud, repeat the process for each gesture type. You may keep the default Play/Pause for the single tap and assign Ambient Mode to the double tap, for example.
• If you want a long press to answer calls, select Answer Call from the dropdown for the left earbud and End Call for the right earbud.

Configure Advanced Options

Some actions, such as Volume Up or Volume Down, can be set to react differently based on the duration of the press. To fine‑tune these:

• Tap the Long Press dropdown for the chosen earbud.
• Choose Volume Up (Continuous) or Volume Down (Continuous). This setting makes the volume continue to rise or fall as long as you hold the sensor, rather than a single step.

If you wish to enable a custom preset (e.g., “Workout Mode” with ANC off and a specific equalizer setting), first create the preset in the EQ & Sound section of the app, then assign it to a double tap in the Touch Controls menu.

Save and Test

• After selecting all desired actions, look for a Save or Apply button at the bottom of the screen. Tap it to write the new mapping to the earbuds.
• The app will display a confirmation toast message, such as “Touch controls updated successfully.”
• Put the earbuds in your ears and test each gesture to ensure the new functions respond as expected.

If a gesture does not trigger the assigned action, double‑check that the earbuds are still connected to the phone you used for configuration. Some users inadvertently switch the Bluetooth connection to another device during testing, causing the commands to be ignored.

Advanced Customization Techniques

While the basic dropdown menu covers most needs, power users can layer additional logic by combining gestures with the app’s Quick Settings and Automation features.

Using Double‑Tap for Mode Switching

You can turn the double‑tap into a toggle between two modes, for instance between ANC on and Ambient Mode on. To do this:

• Create two Quick Settings cards in the app – one labeled ANC On and another labeled Ambient Mode.
• Assign the Switch to Quick Setting action to the double‑tap gesture, then select the appropriate card for each earbud.

Now a single double‑tap on the left earbud will switch from ANC to Ambient Mode, while a double‑tap on the right earbud can revert the change, giving you rapid environmental control without opening the app.

Linking Gestures to Voice Assistant Shortcuts

If you rely heavily on a voice assistant, you might want a long press to trigger a specific skill or routine instead of the generic “Hey Siri / OK Google” command. This is possible by:

• Setting up a custom voice command within your assistant (e.g., “Play my podcast”).
• In the Soundcore Touch Controls menu, choose Voice Assistant for the long press, then tap the Assistant Settings link to specify the custom routine.

When you hold the sensor, the assistant will launch directly into the predefined routine, saving you a few seconds each time.

Creating a Volume Step Ladder

Some listeners prefer precise volume increments rather than continuous changes. To achieve a step ladder:

• Assign Volume Up to a single tap on the left earbud and Volume Down to a single tap on the right earbud.
• Configure Long Press on both earbuds to Volume Up (Continuous) and Volume Down (Continuous) respectively.

A quick tap will add a single step, while a sustained press provides a smooth ramp. This dual‑mode approach works well when the earbuds are used in noisy environments where overshooting the desired level is easy.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with careful setup, you may encounter hiccups. Below are the most frequent problems and their remedies.

Sensors Not Responding

• Check for debris – Earwax or skin oils can insulate the capacitive sensor. Gently wipe the outer surface of each earbud with a soft, lint‑free cloth.
• Verify battery level – Sensors may become less sensitive under 10 % charge. Place the earbuds in the charging case for a few minutes.
• Restart the earbuds – Place them back in the case, close the lid, wait ten seconds, then remove them. This power‑cycle often resets the sensor firmware.

Settings Not Saving

• Ensure the app has permission – On Android, go to Settings → Apps → Soundcore → Permissions and enable Location and Bluetooth. On iOS, verify that Bluetooth is allowed under Settings → Soundcore.
• Stay within range – Keep the phone within a one‑meter radius of the earbuds while applying changes. A weak Bluetooth link can cause the write command to fail.
• Re‑install the app – If the issue persists, uninstall the Soundcore app, restart the phone, then reinstall.

Unexpected Gesture Activation

• Disable accidental activation – Some users find that tapping the earbud while adjusting it triggers an unwanted command. In the Touch Controls screen, look for an option called Touch Sensitivity or Activation Delay and increase the threshold slightly.
• Separate gestures – Avoid assigning the same action to both single tap and double tap on the same earbud, as the firmware may interpret a rapid double tap as two single taps.

Resetting to Factory Defaults

If you wish to start over:

• Open the Touch Controls screen.
• Tap the Reset to Default button at the bottom of the page.
• Confirm the reset when prompted.

All custom mappings will revert to the original settings, and the earbuds will reboot automatically.

Tips for Optimal Use

• Keep one earbud as the primary controller – Many users find it helpful to assign most functions to the left earbud, reserving the right earbud for simple playback control. This reduces cognitive load.
• Leverage the case button – The charging case also includes a button that can activate Find My Earbuds or a Power‑off function. Pairing case shortcuts with earbud gestures creates a full ecosystem of controls without opening the app.
• Combine gestures with the smartphone’s Control Center – Even after reconfiguring, the phone’s volume slider and media controls remain available. Use them for fine adjustments while relying on earbud gestures for quick toggles.
• Update firmware after major app releases – Anker frequently adds new gesture options in firmware updates. Keeping the firmware current ensures you can access the latest features.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I assign different actions to left and right earbuds for the same gesture?
Yes. The Touch Controls menu lets you set each earbud independently, so a single tap on the left can be Volume Up while a single tap on the right remains Play/Pause.

Is it possible to disable a specific gesture altogether?
Select None from the dropdown menu for that gesture. The earbud will ignore touches that match the disabled gesture.

Do the touch sensors work while ANC is active?
All gestures function regardless of ANC status. However, some users notice a slight delay when ANC is processing heavy ambient noise; this is normal and does not affect the final action.

Can I use the earbuds with multiple phones and keep the same touch settings?
Touch settings are stored on the earbuds themselves, not on the phone. Once configured, the same mapping will apply whenever the earbuds connect to any device, as long as the firmware remains unchanged.

What should I do if the earbud’s touch sensor feels “sticky” or unresponsive after a few weeks?
Clean the sensor surface with a dry microfiber cloth. If the problem persists, try resetting the earbuds to factory defaults. Persistent hardware issues may require contacting Anker support for warranty service.

Conclusion

Reconfiguring the touch sensors on the Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro transforms a pair of sleek earbuds into a highly personalized control hub. By following the steps outlined above—updating firmware, accessing the Soundcore app’s Touch Controls menu, assigning gestures, and testing the results—you can tailor every tap and press to match your daily routine. Advanced techniques such as mode toggles, voice‑assistant shortcuts, and volume step ladders further expand the possibilities, while the troubleshooting section equips you to resolve any hiccups quickly. With the right configuration, your earbuds will respond intuitively, letting you stay immersed in music, podcasts, or calls without ever reaching for your phone. Enjoy the freedom of hands‑free control, and let the Liberty Air 2 Pro adapt to you.