What Active Noise Cancellation Does
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is a feature in certain AirPods models that uses built-in microphones to listen to sounds around you, then plays an opposite sound wave through the speaker to cancel them out. The result is that background noise — traffic, airplane engines, office chatter — becomes much quieter while you listen to music, podcasts, or calls.
Think of it like this: if a sound wave is a hill, ANC creates a valley at the exact same moment. The hill and valley cancel each other, and you hear silence instead. This happens continuously, many times per second, which is why it works on steady noises like engine rumble better than on sudden noises like a door slam.
ANC is different from straightforward turning up the volume. Turning up volume makes everything louder — your music and the background noise. ANC specifically targets the background noise and leaves your audio untouched, so you can listen at a safer volume and still hear clearly.
Key Takeaways
- Active Noise Cancellation uses microphones to detect outside sound and plays an opposite sound to cancel it, making background noise quieter without raising your music volume.
- ANC works best on constant, low-frequency sounds like airplane or car engine noise, and less well on sudden or high-pitched sounds.
- Only certain AirPods models have ANC — AirPods Pro (2nd generation), AirPods Pro (1st generation), and AirPods Max include it; standard AirPods and AirPods (3rd generation) do not.
- You can turn ANC on or off in Control Center on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, or by holding the stem of AirPods Pro for a few seconds.
- ANC uses battery power, so turning it off extends how long your AirPods will play on a single charge.
Which AirPods Models Have Active Noise Cancellation
Not all AirPods include ANC. The models that do are AirPods Pro (2nd generation), AirPods Pro (1st generation), and AirPods Max. Standard AirPods and AirPods (3rd generation) do not have this feature.
If you own AirPods Pro, you have ANC built in. If you own standard AirPods, you have a different feature called Ambient Sound mode, which lets outside noise in on purpose so you can hear your surroundings — the opposite of what ANC does.
You can check which model you own by opening the AirPods case near your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. A popup will appear showing the model name and battery level. If the popup says "AirPods Pro," you have ANC. If it says "AirPods" without "Pro," you do not.
How to Turn Active Noise Cancellation On and Off
The quickest way is through Control Center on your iPhone or iPad. Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen (or up from the bottom on older iPhones), find the audio card showing your AirPods, and press and hold it. You will see three options: Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and Off. Tap the one you want.
On a Mac, click the volume icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen, then click your AirPods in the list. A submenu will show the same three options. Select the one you prefer.
If you are wearing AirPods Pro, you can also press and hold the stem (the thin part below the earbud) for about three seconds. This cycles through your three modes: ANC, Transparency, and Off. The AirPods will announce which mode you just switched to.
ANC stays on until you turn it off. If you restart your AirPods or your device, they will return to whatever mode you last selected.
Why ANC Works Better on Some Sounds Than Others
ANC is most effective on steady, low-frequency sounds — the kind that repeat the same pattern over and over. Airplane engines, car engines, air conditioning hum, and train noise all fall into this category. Because the sound is predictable, the microphones can "learn" the pattern and create an accurate opposite sound to cancel it.
ANC is less effective on sudden, unpredictable sounds or high-pitched sounds. A dog barking, a door slamming, or someone speaking nearby changes too quickly for the system to predict and cancel. You will still hear these sounds, though they may be slightly quieter.
This is why ANC feels like magic on a flight but does not eliminate all office noise. It is not a failure of the technology — it is a limit of how sound cancellation physics works.
The Battery Cost of Using Active Noise Cancellation
ANC requires power because the microphones and processors inside the AirPods are constantly working to detect and cancel sound. This means ANC drains your battery faster than Transparency mode or Off mode.
With ANC on, AirPods Pro (2nd generation) last about 6 hours on a single charge. With ANC off, they last about 6 hours as well — Apple's specs show minimal difference for this model. However, AirPods Pro (1st generation) last about 5 hours with ANC on and 6 hours with ANC off, so the difference is more noticeable on older models.
If you are near the end of a charge and do not need ANC, turning it off will give you a bit more listening time. You can always turn it back on when you need it.
Transparency Mode vs. Active Noise Cancellation
AirPods Pro offer a second mode called Transparency, which does the opposite of ANC. Instead of canceling outside sound, Transparency amplifies it. The microphones pick up sounds around you and play them through the speaker, so you hear your music and your surroundings at the same time.
Use ANC when you want to focus and block out distractions. Use Transparency when you need to hear what is happening around you — when you are walking outside, in a store, or talking to someone nearby. You can switch between them when ready using Control Center or by holding the stem.
Some people use Transparency as a middle ground: it lets you stay aware of your surroundings without removing your AirPods. Others use ANC for long listening sessions and Transparency for short breaks.
Troubleshooting When Active Noise Cancellation Sounds Weak
If ANC suddenly feels less effective, the most common cause is earwax or debris blocking the microphone holes on the outside of the AirPods. These tiny holes are how the system "hears" outside sound. Clean them gently with a dry, lint-free cloth. Do not use water or cleaning liquid.
A second cause is a poor fit. ANC works better when the AirPods seal snugly in your ear canal. If they are loose, the seal is broken and outside sound leaks in. Try a different size of ear tip — AirPods Pro come with three sizes (small, medium, large). Insert the AirPods and go to Settings > Bluetooth on your iPhone, tap the info icon next to your AirPods, and select Ear Tip Fit Test to check whether your current size is sealing properly.
If ANC still feels weak after cleaning and checking the fit, restart your AirPods. Put them in the case for 15 seconds, then take them out. If the problem continues, restart your iPhone as well. These steps fix most temporary glitches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Active Noise Cancellation work if I am on a phone call?
Yes. ANC cancels background noise on your end while you are on a call, so the person on the other end hears you more clearly. However, you will still hear the other person's voice normally — ANC does not cancel the voice coming through your AirPods.
Can I use Active Noise Cancellation with only one AirPod in?
Yes. ANC works on whichever AirPod is in your ear, whether you are wearing one or both. The other AirPod can stay in the case.
Does Active Noise Cancellation work underwater or in the shower?
No. AirPods Pro are water-resistant, not waterproof, and ANC requires the microphones to detect air vibrations. Water blocks this detection, so ANC will not function in a shower or pool. Use them only in light rain or sweat.
Will Active Noise Cancellation damage my hearing?
No. ANC does not add sound to your ears — it removes sound by playing an opposite wave. The volume of your music is separate from ANC and is controlled by you. Keep your volume at a safe level, and ANC will not harm your hearing.
Can I use Active Noise Cancellation on my Mac or iPad?
Yes. If your AirPods Pro are connected to a Mac or iPad, you can turn ANC on and off through Control Center the same way you do on iPhone. The feature works identically across all Apple devices.