How to use Noise Cancellation and Transparency modes on AirPods

Learn how to switch between Noise Cancellation and Transparency modes on your AirPods to enhance both focus and awareness in different settings.

Also see: The best AirPods deals you can get right now

Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency modes, and Adaptive modes

AirPods have three noise-control modes which let you decide how much of the external sound you want to hear when listening to music or watching movies.

1) Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) or just Noise Cancellation: It blocks external as well as unwanted internal sounds, making it feel like there is no sound around you. It does so by using outward microphone(s) to sense outside sounds and an inward microphone to sense internal sounds. Then your AirPods counters these sounds with anti-noise.

I frequently use ANC on my AirPods Pro when I’m on a plane. It significantly blocks out the outside engine sound, giving me an improved listening experience.

2) Transparency: This can be considered as the opposite of ANC. It allows external sounds to come in so that you can hear your surroundings. This can be useful if you want to hear outside noise while listening to something on your AirPods. For instance, imagine you are enjoying your favorite podcast in your house but also want to hear the doorbell. In this case, you can turn on Transparency mode.

3) Adaptive: This auto-adjusts your noise-control settings (ANC and Transparency) based on your surroundings.

4) Off: Turns off all noise-control modes. It gives you more use time on a single charge.

Supported AirPods

Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency modes are only available on AirPods Pro 1st and 2nd generations and AirPods Max. Adaptive mode is available on AirPods Pro 2nd generation.

Activate noise control on your AirPods

You can activate or deactivate Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, or Adaptive modes in a few different ways. Just make sure your AirPods are connected to the device and follow the steps below.

Directly from AirPods

• On AirPods Pro: Touch and hold the AirPod stem until you hear a chime.
• On AirPods Max: Press the noise control button.

Repeat the above process to cycle through your four noise-control modes. You can customize this option in AirPods Settings on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

From iPhone or iPad

1. Go to iOS Control Center.
2. Touch and hold the volume slider.
3. Tap Noise Control.
4. Select Noise Cancellation, Transparency, Adaptive, or Off.

In addition to Control Center, you can also go to iPhone or iPad Settings and select your AirPods from the top. Now, pick an option under the Noise Control section.

From Mac

1. Click the AirPods icon in the menu bar and expand it. If you don’t see it, open Control Center and click the AirPlay icon.
2. Select Noise Cancellation, Transparency, Adaptive, or Off under the Noise Control section.

You can also go to System Settings, select your AirPods from the bottom, and pick a mode in the Noise Control section.

From Apple Watch

1. With music playing on your AirPods connected to your watch, press the side button to open watchOS Control Center.
2. Tap the AirPlay icon.
3. Tap AirPods Settings under your connected AirPods name.
4. Select a Noise Control mode.

From Apple TV

1. Open Control Center on your Apple TV.
2. Go to the AirPods section.
3. Select Noise Control and pick an option.

On a related note: How to listen with Spatial Audio on your AirPods