How to turn on active noise cancellation

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) on AirPods Pro or AirPods Max blocks outside sound so you hear only your music, calls, or podcast. You turn it on through your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch — not through the AirPods themselves.

On an iPhone or iPad, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open Control Center. Press and hold the volume slider (or the audio card if music is playing). You'll see three noise control options: Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and Off. Tap Active Noise Cancellation. The setting stays on until you change it again.

On a Mac, click the Control Center icon in the top-right corner of the menu bar. Find the sound or audio section and look for the noise control menu. Select Active Noise Cancellation from the dropdown. On an Apple Watch, swipe up from the bottom to open Control Center, then tap the audio icon and choose Active Noise Cancellation.

Key Takeaways

  • Active Noise Cancellation blocks outside sound and is controlled through your device's Control Center, not through buttons on the AirPods.
  • On iPhone and iPad, hold down the volume slider in Control Center to see the three noise modes and select Active Noise Cancellation.
  • You can also control noise cancellation through your Mac's Control Center or Apple Watch without touching your AirPods.
  • Transparency mode lets you hear the world around you while still wearing your AirPods, and Off disables both features.
  • Once you set a noise mode, it remains active until you manually switch to a different mode.

Understanding the three noise modes

Your AirPods offer three separate listening modes, and you switch between them through the same Control Center menu. Active Noise Cancellation blocks ambient sound — traffic, office noise, airplane engines. Transparency mode does the opposite: it amplifies outside sound so you can hear conversations and your surroundings while wearing your AirPods. Off disables both features and plays sound normally.

Most people use Active Noise Cancellation in loud environments like planes, trains, or busy streets. Transparency works better when you need to stay aware — talking to someone in the same room, crossing a street, or working in an office where you want to hear colleagues approaching. You can switch between all three modes instantly by returning to Control Center.

Controlling noise cancellation from Settings

If you find yourself changing noise modes often, you can customize which modes appear in Control Center so your preferred option is easier to reach. On iPhone, open Settings, tap Bluetooth, find your AirPods in the list, and tap the info icon (the small circle with an "i"). Scroll to Noise Control and you'll see checkboxes for Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and Off.

Uncheck any mode you don't use regularly. For example, if you never use Off mode, uncheck it so Control Center shows only Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency. This makes switching faster because you'll see fewer options. The same customization works on iPad and Mac through their Bluetooth settings.

What to do if noise cancellation isn't working

If you tap Active Noise Cancellation but still hear outside noise, first check that your AirPods are sitting properly in your ears. Active Noise Cancellation only works when both AirPods are in and sealed against your ear canal. If one AirPod is loose or partially out, the feature won't function correctly.

Next, make sure your AirPods Pro or AirPods Max have the latest firmware. Open Settings on your iPhone, go to Bluetooth, tap the info icon next to your AirPods, and scroll down to see the current firmware version. Apple releases updates automatically when your AirPods are near your iPhone and plugged in to charge, but you can also check the Apple Support website to see if a newer version is available.

If noise cancellation still isn't working after checking fit and firmware, try disconnecting and reconnecting your AirPods. Go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the info icon next to your AirPods, and select Forget This Device. Then hold the setup button on the back of your AirPods case for 15 seconds until the light flashes white, and pair them again with your device.

Noise cancellation on different AirPods models

Active Noise Cancellation is available on AirPods Pro (both the original and second generation) and AirPods Max. Standard AirPods and AirPods Air do not have this feature. If you own a different model and don't see the noise control options in Control Center, your AirPods simply don't support it.

AirPods Max offers the same three modes as AirPods Pro but with additional controls. You can tap the top of the ear cup to cycle through noise modes, or use Control Center on your device. The experience is otherwise identical — the same Control Center menu, the same three options, and the same customization settings.

Battery drain and noise cancellation

Active Noise Cancellation uses more battery than playing audio without it because the AirPods are constantly processing sound to cancel it out. AirPods Pro with ANC on typically last around 6 hours on a single charge, compared to about 6 hours with ANC off (the difference is small because other factors like volume level matter more). AirPods Max last roughly 20 hours with ANC on.

If you're running low on battery and need your AirPods to last longer, switch to Off mode or Transparency mode instead of Active Noise Cancellation. You'll extend your listening time by turning off the feature that consumes the most power. Transparency mode uses slightly less battery than ANC but more than Off mode.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Siri to turn on active noise cancellation?

Yes. Say "Hey Siri, turn on noise cancellation" and Siri will switch to Active Noise Cancellation mode. You can also say "Hey Siri, turn on transparency" to switch to Transparency mode. This works on any device where Siri is enabled, including your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch.

Why does active noise cancellation sound weird or make my ears hurt?

Active Noise Cancellation can feel strange at first because you're hearing the processed sound rather than the real world. Some people experience ear pressure or discomfort, especially if their AirPods don't fit perfectly. Try adjusting the fit — make sure the ear tip is fully inserted and sealed. If discomfort continues, switch to Transparency mode or Off and give your ears a break. The sensation usually fades after a few days of use.

Does active noise cancellation work on phone calls?

Yes. When you're on a call, Active Noise Cancellation blocks background noise on your end so the person you're talking to hears you more clearly. It doesn't affect what you hear from them. The other person will notice less traffic noise, wind, or office chatter in the background of your voice.

Can I use active noise cancellation with only one AirPod in?

No. Active Noise Cancellation requires both AirPods to be in your ears and properly seated. If you remove one AirPod, the feature turns off automatically. You can still listen to audio with one AirPod, but without noise cancellation.

What's the difference between active and passive noise cancellation?

Active Noise Cancellation uses microphones and processing to detect outside sound and create an opposite sound wave to cancel it. Passive noise cancellation is just the physical seal of the ear tip blocking sound naturally. AirPods Pro and Max use both — the ear tip provides passive isolation, and the electronics add active cancellation on top.