Noise cancellation works differently depending on which AirPods model you own

Not all AirPods have noise cancellation. The feature is available on AirPods Pro (both the original and second generation) and AirPods Max. If you have standard AirPods, AirPods 2, or AirPods 3, your headphones do not have this feature — you can skip this guide.

If you have AirPods Pro or AirPods Max, noise cancellation is turned on through your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch, depending on which device you are using at that moment. The setting syncs across your devices once you sign into the same Apple account on all of them.

Key Takeaways

  • Only AirPods Pro and AirPods Max have noise cancellation; standard AirPods do not.
  • You turn on noise cancellation through your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch by opening Control Center or Settings and selecting the audio mode you want.
  • AirPods Pro offer three modes: Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and Off — you can switch between them without opening any menu.
  • AirPods Max adds a fourth option called Adaptive Audio, which automatically switches between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency based on your surroundings.
  • Once you set a mode on one device, it becomes the default on all your devices signed into the same Apple account.

Turning on noise cancellation from your iPhone or iPad

Open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of your screen (on newer iPhones and iPads) or swiping up from the bottom (on older models). Look for the audio or sound icon — it usually shows a speaker with sound waves. Tap and hold on it to see your noise cancellation options.

You will see three choices: Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and Off. Tap the one you want. Active Noise Cancellation blocks outside sound. Transparency lets you hear the world around you while still wearing your headphones. Off turns off both features.

If you do not see these options in Control Center, your AirPods may not be connected, or you may need to add the audio control to your Control Center. Go to Settings, scroll to Control Center, find Sound or Audio, and tap the plus sign next to it.

Turning on noise cancellation from your Mac

Click the Control Center icon in the top-right corner of your menu bar (it looks like a grid of squares). Scroll down to find the Sound or Audio section. You will see the same three options: Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and Off. Click the one you want.

If you do not see the audio control, open System Settings, go to Control Center, and make sure Sound is toggled on.

Turning on noise cancellation from your Apple Watch

Swipe up from the bottom of your watch face to open Control Center. Look for the audio icon and tap it. You will see the same three modes. Tap the one you want to set up.

On some Apple Watch models, you may need to swipe left and right within Control Center to find the audio control. If it is not there, you can add it through the Watch app on your iPhone: go to Control Center and toggle Sound on.

Using the quick switch on AirPods Pro

You do not have to open any menu to change modes on AirPods Pro. straightforward press and hold the stem (the thin part below the speaker) on either earbud for about three seconds. Each press cycles through your active modes — usually Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and Off.

You can customize which modes appear in this cycle. Go to Settings on your iPhone, tap Bluetooth, find your AirPods Pro in the list, tap the info icon next to them, and scroll to Noise Control. You will see checkboxes for each mode. Uncheck any you do not want to cycle through, and the stem press will only switch between the ones you left checked.

AirPods Max and Adaptive Audio

AirPods Max offer everything AirPods Pro have, plus a fourth mode called Adaptive Audio. This mode automatically switches between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency depending on what you are doing — it uses the microphones to detect whether you are moving, talking, or stationary, and adjusts accordingly.

You can turn on Adaptive Audio the same way you turn on the other modes: through Control Center on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch, or by pressing and holding the stem on the headphones themselves. To customize Adaptive Audio settings, go to Settings on your iPhone, tap Bluetooth, find AirPods Max, tap the info icon, and scroll to Adaptive Audio to adjust the sensitivity.

What to do if noise cancellation is not working

First, make sure your AirPods are fully charged. Noise cancellation uses battery power, and some older AirPods Pro models reduce the feature if the battery is very low. Check the battery level by opening Control Center and looking at the audio widget, or by opening the Batteries widget on your home screen.

If your AirPods are charged and noise cancellation still is not working, try disconnecting and reconnecting them. Go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, find your AirPods, tap the info icon, and tap Forget This Device. Then put your AirPods back in their case, open the case near your iPhone, and follow the pairing steps that appear on screen.

If you have AirPods Pro first generation, check whether you are running the latest firmware. Apple releases updates automatically when your AirPods are near your iPhone and plugged in, but you can force a check by going to Settings, tapping Bluetooth, finding your AirPods, and tapping the info icon. Scroll down to see the current firmware version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use noise cancellation on multiple devices at the same time?

No. Your AirPods can only be connected to one device at a time. If you switch to a different device, you will need to reconnect them. The noise cancellation mode you set on one device becomes the default when you reconnect on another device using the same Apple account, but you cannot use them on two devices simultaneously.

Does noise cancellation drain the battery faster?

Yes. Active Noise Cancellation uses extra power because the microphones and processors are working constantly. You will get fewer hours of listening time with noise cancellation on than with it off. Transparency mode also uses more battery than having both features off, but less than Active Noise Cancellation.

Why does noise cancellation sound muffled or strange?

This is normal when you first use it. Noise cancellation works by playing sound waves that cancel out background noise, which can feel odd in your ears at first. If it feels uncomfortable, try Transparency mode instead, or turn it off entirely. Some people find they prefer Transparency for everyday use and only use Active Noise Cancellation in very loud environments.

Can I turn off noise cancellation for just one earbud?

No. Noise cancellation is a feature of the pair, not individual earbuds. When you turn it on, both earbuds use it. However, you can take one earbud out and keep the other in, which will reduce the effect since only one earbud is actively canceling sound.

What is the difference between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode?

Active Noise Cancellation blocks outside sound so you hear mostly what is playing through your AirPods. Transparency mode lets you hear both your audio and the world around you at the same time — it amplifies outside sound through the microphones. Use Active Noise Cancellation when you want to focus, and Transparency when you need to stay aware of your surroundings.