AirPods with noise cancelling have three listening modes you control from your iPhone or iPad

Noise cancelling on AirPods works through a setting you switch on your connected device — not on the AirPods themselves. You have three options: Active Noise Cancellation (which blocks outside sound), Transparency mode (which lets you hear your surroundings), and Off. Which AirPods you own determines what's available to you.

Not all AirPods models include noise cancelling. AirPods Pro (both generations) and AirPods Max have it. Standard AirPods and AirPods Fit do not. If you have the right model, the feature is already built in — you just need to know where to find the setting.

Key Takeaways

  • Only AirPods Pro and AirPods Max have noise cancelling; standard AirPods do not.
  • You turn noise cancelling on through your iPhone, iPad, or Mac settings, not through the AirPods themselves.
  • You can switch between Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, and Off by holding down the stem (AirPods Pro) or using the control dial (AirPods Max).
  • Once you set a mode on one device, it syncs to your other Apple devices automatically if they share the same Apple ID.

How to turn on noise cancelling from your iPhone or iPad

Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad. Scroll down and tap Bluetooth. Find your AirPods in the list and tap the information icon (the small circle with an "i") next to the name. You will see three listening mode options: Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and Off. Tap whichever you want to use right now.

This method works if you want to change the mode once and leave it. If you switch modes frequently throughout the day, the faster route is the Control Center. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen (or up from the bottom on older iPhones), find the audio card showing your AirPods, press and hold it, and you will see the three mode buttons. Tap the one you want.

How to switch modes using the AirPods themselves

If you have AirPods Pro, hold your finger on the stem of either earbud for about two seconds. You will feel a click and hear a chime. Each press cycles through your three modes. The voice in your ear will tell you which mode is now active — "Active Noise Cancellation on" or "Transparency mode on."

If you have AirPods Max, use the Digital Crown (the dial on the right side of the headphones). Rotate it to cycle through the modes. You will hear the same audio feedback telling you which mode is active. This is faster than opening Settings if you change modes often.

What each mode does and when to use it

Active Noise Cancellation uses microphones on the AirPods to detect outside sound and play an inverted sound wave that cancels it out. This works best for steady, low-frequency noise like airplane engines, traffic, or air conditioning. It is less effective at blocking sudden loud sounds or human voices. Use this when you want to focus or when ambient noise is distracting.

Transparency mode lets you hear the world around you while still wearing the AirPods. The microphones pick up outside sound and play it through your ears at normal volume. Use this when you are walking, cooking, or need to hear someone talking to you. You can listen to music or take calls while still hearing what is happening around you.

Off (sometimes called "no mode" in Apple's interface) turns off both noise cancelling and transparency. You hear only what is playing through your AirPods, with no outside sound mixed in. This uses slightly less battery than the other modes.

How to set a default mode for different situations

You can tell your AirPods to automatically switch to a specific mode depending on what you are doing. Open Settings, go to Bluetooth, tap the information icon next to your AirPods, and scroll down to Automatic Switching. From here, you can set a default mode for when you are using your device, when you are not using it, or when you are in a car.

For example, you might set Active Noise Cancellation as your default when you are using your iPhone, but switch to Transparency when you are not actively looking at the screen. This saves you from manually switching modes every time you pick up or put down your phone.

Troubleshooting when noise cancelling is not working

If you have AirPods Pro or Max but the noise cancelling button is greyed out or missing, first check that your AirPods are fully charged. Noise cancelling requires more battery power than regular listening, and some models reduce or disable it when the battery is very low. Put your AirPods in their case for 15 minutes to charge them fully.

If the button is still not available, restart your iPhone or iPad. Go to Settings > General > Shut Down, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on. After restarting, open Bluetooth settings again and check whether the noise cancelling option has returned. If it has not, unpair your AirPods and pair them again: go to Bluetooth, tap the information icon, select Forget This Device, then hold the setup button on your AirPods case until the light flashes white and pair them fresh.

How noise cancelling affects battery life

Active Noise Cancellation uses more power than Transparency mode or Off, so your AirPods will drain faster when it is on. AirPods Pro typically last about 6 hours with noise cancelling enabled, compared to 6 to 7 hours with it off. AirPods Max last about 20 hours with noise cancelling on, compared to 24 hours without it. If you are running low on battery and need your AirPods to last longer, switch to Transparency mode or Off.

You can check your AirPods battery level in the Bluetooth settings or by looking at the battery widget on your home screen. Some people keep noise cancelling on all day and charge their AirPods every night; others switch modes depending on the task to stretch the battery further.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to update my AirPods for noise cancelling to work?

AirPods Pro and Max update automatically when they are connected to a charged iPhone or iPad. You do not need to do anything manually. If you have not used your AirPods in a while, connect them to your device and let them sit for a few minutes to may support they have the latest software.

Can I use noise cancelling with non-Apple devices?

AirPods Pro and Max work with Android phones and other non-Apple devices, but the noise cancelling controls are limited. You can turn noise cancelling on or off through some Android apps, but you cannot switch between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode. The full feature set only works with iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

Why does noise cancelling sound like a vacuum or pressure in my ears?

This is normal and happens because the noise cancelling is actively working. The inverted sound waves create a slight pressure sensation that some people notice more than others. If it bothers you, try Transparency mode instead, or take a short break and let your ears adjust. The sensation usually becomes less noticeable after a few minutes of use.

Can I use noise cancelling while on a phone call?

Yes. Active Noise Cancellation will block background noise on your end while you are on a call, making your voice clearer to the person you are talking to. Transparency mode will let you hear your surroundings while talking. You can switch between modes during a call without dropping the connection.