Which AirPods work for posture tracking on Mac
SitPretty reads the head-tracking sensors that Apple uses for spatial audio. Any AirPods or Beats model with head tracking works, on a Mac with Apple silicon running macOS 14 or later.
In short
Works: AirPods (3rd generation and later), every AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, and Beats with head tracking such as Beats Fit Pro and Beats Studio Pro. Does not work: AirPods (1st and 2nd generation) and Beats without head tracking. Mac: Apple silicon, macOS 14 or later.
Headphones
| Model | SitPretty |
|---|---|
| AirPods Pro (every generation) | Works |
| AirPods (3rd generation) and later, including AirPods 4 | Works |
| AirPods Max (Lightning and USB-C) | Works |
| Beats Fit Pro, Beats Studio Pro | Works |
| AirPods (1st and 2nd generation) | No head tracking |
| Other Beats models without head tracking | No head tracking |
A quick way to check: on your Mac, open Control Center while your AirPods are playing. If you see a Spatial Audio option with “Head Tracked”, your AirPods have the sensors SitPretty needs. When SitPretty starts, it also checks for itself and tells you if head motion is not available.
Mac
| Requirement | Why |
|---|---|
| Mac with Apple silicon (M1 or later) | Apple supports head tracking on Mac only on Apple silicon. |
| macOS 14 Sonoma or later | The first macOS that lets apps read headphone motion. |
Things that look like a problem but aren't
Your AirPods are connected but SitPretty says “No data from AirPods”. They are probably playing on your iPhone or iPad. The motion data goes to whichever device has the audio. Choose “Use AirPods on This Mac” in SitPretty's menu, or play any sound on the Mac, and data comes back within seconds.
Only one AirPod in. That works. The data comes from one earbud at a time anyway, and SitPretty waits about 30 seconds after the earbud changes before it judges again.
Spatial audio is on. That's fine. Spatial audio can reset the left-right direction, which SitPretty does not use for posture.
Questions
Do I need AirPods Pro?
No. Any AirPods with head tracking work, including AirPods (3rd generation and later) and AirPods Max, as well as Beats with head tracking such as Beats Fit Pro and Beats Studio Pro.
Does SitPretty work on an Intel Mac?
No. Apple supports head tracking on Mac only on Apple silicon, so SitPretty requires a Mac with Apple silicon on macOS 14 or later.
Do I have to play music for SitPretty to work?
No. Your AirPods only need to be in your ears and connected to the Mac. If they are playing on another device, play any sound on the Mac to bring them back.
Last verified October 23, 2026, against Apple's support article on spatial audio and head tracking: support.apple.com/102469.