How to Turn On Noise Cancelling: A Complete Guide for Every Device

Noise cancelling is one of the most sought-after features in modern audio gear — but activating it isn't always obvious. The steps vary depending on your device, operating system, and even which app you're using. Here's a clear breakdown of how it works and what to expect across different setups.

What Noise Cancelling Actually Does

Before diving into the steps, it helps to understand the two types of noise cancelling you'll encounter:

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) uses tiny microphones on your headphones or earbuds to detect incoming sound waves, then generates an opposite signal to cancel them out. This requires power — which is why ANC headphones have batteries and why enabling it drains them faster.

Passive noise isolation is simply physical blocking — foam tips, over-ear cups, and snug fits that reduce sound mechanically. It's always "on" and requires no settings.

When people ask how to turn on noise cancelling, they're almost always asking about ANC. That's what this guide covers.

How to Turn On Noise Cancelling on Headphones and Earbuds

Using a Physical Button or Switch

Many over-ear headphones — particularly premium models — include a dedicated ANC button. Common approaches:

• A dedicated ANC button on the ear cup, often labeled "NC," a noise wave icon, or simply a power-adjacent button
• A switch or slider on the headphone body that cycles between ANC on, ANC off, and sometimes a transparency/ambient mode
• Long-pressing the power button on some models to toggle ANC

Check the quick-start guide for your specific model. The icon often looks like a crossed-out sound wave 🔇.

Through a Companion App

Most modern wireless headphones pair with a manufacturer app that gives you finer control:

• Sony Headphones Connect (for Sony WH/WF series)
• Bose Music (for Bose QuietComfort and Noise Cancelling series)
• Jabra Sound+
• Samsung Galaxy Wearable (for Galaxy Buds)
• Apple's built-in settings (for AirPods — no separate app needed)

Inside these apps, ANC is typically found under a Listening Mode, Sound Control, or Noise Control section. Some apps also let you adjust ANC intensity levels — a feature not always accessible from the device itself.

On AirPods (iPhone and iPad)

Apple makes ANC control straightforward:

1. Connect your AirPods Pro or AirPods Max to your iPhone or iPad
2. Go to Settings → Bluetooth → tap the "i" next to your AirPods
3. Under Noise Control, select Noise Cancellation

Alternatively, press and hold the stem (AirPods Pro) or the Digital Crown (AirPods Max) to cycle through modes. You can also access it from Control Center by long-pressing the volume slider when AirPods are connected.

On Mac: Click the Control Center icon in the menu bar → click your AirPods → select Noise Cancellation.

On Android Devices with Samsung Galaxy Buds

1. Open the Galaxy Wearable app
2. Tap Ear tips fit test or navigate to Listening mode
3. Toggle Active Noise Cancelling on

For non-Samsung Android headphones, the process is nearly identical — open the relevant companion app and look for a listening mode or ANC toggle.

How to Turn On Noise Cancelling on Windows 11 and 10

Windows doesn't control hardware ANC — that lives on the device itself. However, Windows does offer microphone-based noise suppression for calls and recording:

1. Go to Settings → System → Sound
2. Under Input, select your microphone and click Device properties
3. Look for Enhancements or Advanced — some drivers (especially Realtek) include a Noise Suppression or Acoustic Echo Cancellation option

This is software-level processing, not true ANC. It reduces background noise picked up by your microphone, which is useful for video calls but distinct from headphone ANC.

Noise Cancelling in Video Call Apps

Several communication apps include their own noise suppression, independent of your headphones:

These software solutions process audio on your CPU and can be effective even with basic headphones that have no built-in ANC.

Factors That Affect How Well Noise Cancelling Works

Turning ANC on is one thing — how well it performs depends on several variables:

Fit and seal 🎧 — ANC works significantly better when earbuds or headphones form a proper seal. A loose fit reduces effectiveness regardless of hardware quality.

Type of noise — ANC excels at low-frequency, consistent sounds (airplane engines, HVAC hum, train noise). It's less effective against sudden, high-pitched, or irregular sounds like voices in conversation.

Battery level — ANC is power-hungry. Many devices automatically reduce ANC strength or disable it entirely when the battery drops below a certain threshold.

ANC intensity settings — Some devices offer adjustable ANC levels. Higher intensity consumes more battery and can occasionally cause a slight pressure sensation in the ears.

Firmware version — Manufacturers frequently update ANC algorithms via firmware. An outdated firmware version can mean meaningfully worse performance than the same hardware running current software.

What the Right Setup Depends On

The steps above cover the mechanics — but whether a single button press, an app setting, or a software layer gives you the best result depends on what kind of noise you're trying to block, which devices you're using them with, and how you balance audio quality against battery life. Those trade-offs look different for someone on a daily commute versus someone working in a quiet office who mainly needs call clarity.