How to enable noise cancelling on your AirPods
Noise cancelling on AirPods works through a physical button or a software menu, depending on which model you own. AirPods Pro and AirPods Max have active noise cancellation built in — you turn it on by pressing and holding the stem (on Pro) or using the Digital Crown (on Max), or by opening your iPhone's Control Center and tapping the audio menu. Standard AirPods and AirPods 2 do not have noise cancelling at all, so this feature is not available on those models.
The quickest way on any compatible model is through Control Center. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone or iPad, find the audio card showing your AirPods, tap it, and you will see three noise modes: Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and Off. Tap the mode you want. This setting syncs across your Apple devices — if you turn it on in Control Center on your iPhone, it stays on when you switch to your Mac or iPad.
Key Takeaways
- Only AirPods Pro and AirPods Max support noise cancelling — standard AirPods and AirPods 2 cannot use this feature.
- On AirPods Pro, press and hold the stem until you hear a chime, then release to cycle through noise cancelling, transparency, and off.
- On AirPods Max, turn the Digital Crown forward or backward to switch between the three noise modes.
- Control Center on your iPhone or iPad offers the fastest way to change modes without touching your AirPods.
- Your noise cancelling setting syncs across all your Apple devices signed into the same iCloud account.
Using the physical controls on AirPods Pro
AirPods Pro have a small stem on each earbud with a touch-sensitive area. To cycle through noise modes, press and hold the stem on either earbud for about two seconds until you hear a chime. Each press cycles you through Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, and Off. You do not need to hold it again — one press moves to the next mode.
If you want to jump straight to a specific mode without cycling, you can customize this in Settings. Open Settings on your iPhone, go to Bluetooth, tap the info icon next to your AirPods Pro, scroll down to "Press and Hold AirPods," and choose which action you want assigned to the stem press — you can set it to toggle between two modes instead of cycling through all three.
Using the Digital Crown on AirPods Max
AirPods Max use a rotating dial called the Digital Crown instead of a stem. To change noise modes, turn the Digital Crown forward or backward. One click changes the mode — turn it one way to go from noise cancelling to transparency, turn it the other way to go to off. The direction does not matter; turning either direction cycles through the modes.
You can also customize the Digital Crown in Settings. Go to Settings on your iPhone, tap Bluetooth, select your AirPods Max, and choose "Press and Hold Top Button" to assign a different action if you prefer. The top button on AirPods Max can be set to control noise modes instead of the crown if that feels more natural to you.
What active noise cancellation actually does
Active noise cancelling on AirPods Pro and Max works by listening to outside sound through tiny microphones and playing an inverted sound wave to cancel it out. This works best on steady, low-frequency noise like airplane engines, traffic, or air conditioning — it is less effective on sudden or high-pitched sounds like someone talking next to you or a car horn.
Transparency mode does the opposite: it amplifies outside sound so you can hear your surroundings while still wearing your AirPods. This is useful if you are walking outside, in a store, or need to hear someone talking to you. Off mode simply disables both features and plays your audio normally.
Checking your AirPods model and software version
If you are not sure whether your AirPods support noise cancelling, check your model first. Go to Settings on your iPhone, tap Bluetooth, and find your AirPods in the list. Tap the info icon next to them. The model name appears at the top — if it says "AirPods Pro" or "AirPods Max," noise cancelling is available. If it says "AirPods" or "AirPods 2," it is not.
You can also see your software version on this same screen. Tap "About" to view the firmware version. Apple releases updates automatically when your AirPods are near your iPhone and plugged in to charge, so you usually do not need to do anything manually. If you have not used your AirPods in a while, place them in their case and leave them near your iPhone for a few minutes to check for updates.
Troubleshooting when noise cancelling is not working
If you have AirPods Pro or Max but noise cancelling is not turning on, first check that you are pressing the stem or Digital Crown correctly. The stem on AirPods Pro requires a firm press and hold for about two seconds — a light tap will not work. On AirPods Max, make sure you are actually turning the crown, not just touching it.
If the physical control is not responding, try changing the mode through Control Center instead. If that works, the issue is with the physical button or crown, and you may need to contact Apple Support. If noise cancelling does not work through either method, restart your AirPods by placing them in their case for 15 seconds, then removing them. If the problem persists, forget your AirPods in Bluetooth settings and pair them again from scratch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all AirPods have noise cancelling?
No. Only AirPods Pro and AirPods Max support active noise cancelling. Standard AirPods and AirPods 2 do not have this feature at all. If you need noise cancelling, you must upgrade to one of the Pro models.
Can I use noise cancelling and transparency mode at the same time?
No, you can only use one mode at a time. You can switch between them instantly by pressing the stem or turning the crown, but you cannot blend them together. Some users switch to transparency briefly when they need to hear something, then switch back to noise cancelling.
Does noise cancelling drain the battery faster?
Yes, active noise cancelling uses more power than regular listening. AirPods Pro last about six hours with noise cancelling on, and up to eight hours with it off. AirPods Max last about 20 hours with noise cancelling on, and longer with it off.
Why does noise cancelling sound weird on some sounds?
Noise cancelling works by creating an inverted sound wave, which can sometimes create a slight pressure sensation or make certain frequencies sound hollow. This is normal. If it feels uncomfortable, switch to transparency mode or off. Some people find it takes a few days to adjust to the sensation.
Will noise cancelling work if my AirPods are not fully charged?
Yes, noise cancelling works at any battery level. However, it does drain the battery faster, so if your AirPods are low on power, you may want to turn it off to extend listening time before you need to charge.