AirPods Pro and Max have noise cancelling built in — turn it on in Settings

Noise cancelling in AirPods Pro or AirPods Max is a feature you switch on, not something you build or create. If you own AirPods Pro (2nd generation or later) or AirPods Max, the hardware that blocks sound is already inside. You just need to enable it through your iPhone, iPad, or Mac settings, or by using the physical controls on the headphones themselves.

Standard AirPods (the basic model) and AirPods Air do not have noise cancelling. If you own those, you cannot add this feature — it requires specific microphones and processing chips that only the Pro and Max models include.

The process takes less than a minute. You can switch between noise cancelling, transparency mode (which lets outside sound in), and off, either through your device's settings or by pressing and holding the stem or button on your headphones.

Key Takeaways

  • Only AirPods Pro and AirPods Max have noise cancelling — the basic AirPods model cannot use this feature no matter what settings you change.
  • Turn noise cancelling on in Settings > Bluetooth, tap the info icon next to your AirPods, and select Noise Cancellation under Audio Mode.
  • You can also press and hold the stem (AirPods Pro) or the button on the ear cup (AirPods Max) to cycle through noise cancelling, transparency, and off.
  • Noise cancelling works best in steady background noise like airplane engines or traffic, and less well in sudden or unpredictable sounds.

Enable noise cancelling through your iPhone or iPad

Open Settings and go to Bluetooth. Find your AirPods Pro or AirPods Max in the list of connected devices and tap the info icon (a circle with an "i" inside). Scroll down to the Audio Mode section. You will see three options: Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and Off. Tap Noise Cancellation.

Once you do this, noise cancelling activates the next time you put on your headphones. The setting stays on until you change it. If you switch to Transparency mode or Off, you can return to Noise Cancellation the same way, or use the physical button on your headphones.

If you do not see the Audio Mode section, make sure your AirPods are fully charged and running the latest firmware. Apple pushes firmware updates automatically when your AirPods are connected and charging.

Use the physical button to switch modes quickly

On AirPods Pro, press and hold the stem (the thin part below the speaker) for about two seconds. Each press cycles through Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and Off. You will hear a chime in your ear when the mode changes.

On AirPods Max, press and hold the button on the right ear cup for the same effect. This is faster than opening Settings if you need to switch modes while you are out.

You can also customize which modes appear in this cycle. In Settings > Bluetooth > AirPods info, scroll to Audio Mode and tap Edit. Uncheck any mode you do not want to cycle through. For example, if you only use Noise Cancellation and Off, you can remove Transparency so the button only toggles between those two.

What noise cancelling actually does

Noise cancelling does not create silence. Instead, it uses microphones on your headphones to listen to the sound around you, then plays an inverted version of that sound into your ears. When the two waves meet, they cancel each other out — similar to how two waves in water can flatten each other.

This works very well for constant, predictable noise: airplane engines, air conditioning hum, traffic on a highway, or the rumble of a train. It works poorly for sudden sounds like a dog barking, a car horn, or someone calling your name, because the microphones cannot predict those sounds in advance.

Noise cancelling also uses battery power. Your AirPods Pro will last about 6 hours with noise cancelling on, or up to 30 hours with the charging case. AirPods Max last about 20 hours with noise cancelling on. Turning it off extends battery life by roughly 20 to 30 percent.

Transparency mode lets you hear the world around you

Transparency mode does the opposite of noise cancelling. It amplifies outside sound so you can hear traffic, conversations, or announcements without removing your headphones. This is useful when you are walking in a city, waiting in a store, or need to stay aware of your surroundings.

You switch to Transparency the same way you switch to Noise Cancellation: through Settings or by pressing and holding the stem or button. Some people use Transparency while listening to music at lower volume, so they can hear both their music and the world around them.

Transparency uses less battery than Noise Cancellation but more than having both modes off. If battery life is your main concern, turn both off and use your AirPods as regular headphones.

Troubleshoot if noise cancelling is not working

If you turned on Noise Cancellation but still hear background noise, first check that your AirPods are sitting properly in your ears. Noise cancelling requires a good seal — if the ear tip is loose or the wrong size, the microphones cannot work effectively. Try a different size ear tip (AirPods Pro come with small, medium, and large).

Next, make sure both AirPods are in your ears. Noise cancelling only works when both are connected. If one is in the case, the feature may not set up or may work poorly.

Restart your AirPods by going to Settings > Bluetooth, tapping the info icon, and selecting Forget This Device. Put your AirPods back in the case, close the lid for 30 seconds, then open it and reconnect them to your device. This clears any software glitches that might be blocking the feature.

If noise cancelling still does not work after these steps, your AirPods may need a firmware update. Connect them to power and keep them near your iPhone or iPad for at least 30 minutes. Apple will update them automatically in the background.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay extra to use noise cancelling?

No. Noise cancelling is included with AirPods Pro and AirPods Max at no additional cost. You do not pay a subscription or unlock fee. If you own the headphones, the feature is already yours — you just need to turn it on.

Can I use noise cancelling while on a phone call?

Yes. Noise cancelling works during calls and actually improves call quality by reducing background noise on your end. The person you are talking to will hear you more clearly. You can turn it on or off during a call using the same button controls.

Will noise cancelling drain my battery faster?

Yes, but not dramatically. With Noise Cancellation on, AirPods Pro last about 6 hours per charge. With it off, they last about 7 to 8 hours. The difference is roughly 15 to 20 percent, so if battery life is tight, turning it off can help you get through a full day.

What is the difference between noise cancelling and transparency mode?

Noise cancelling blocks outside sound so you hear mostly your music or calls. Transparency amplifies outside sound so you can hear the world around you while still wearing your headphones. Off means neither — you hear only what you are playing, with no outside sound added.

Can I use noise cancelling with non-Apple devices?

AirPods Pro and Max work with any device that supports Bluetooth, including Android phones and Windows computers. However, the noise cancelling controls in Settings only appear on Apple devices. On Android or Windows, you can still use the physical button to cycle through modes, but you cannot fine-tune the settings.