The quickest way to disable noise canceling

To turn off noise canceling on AirPods, press and hold the stem (the thin part below the speaker) on either earbud for about two seconds until you hear a chime. This opens the noise control menu. Keep holding until you cycle through to "Off" mode, which lets outside sound in fully. Release when you hear the confirmation sound.

If you have AirPods Pro (2nd generation or later), you may have three modes to cycle through: Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, and Off. Older AirPods Pro models have the same three. Standard AirPods without the Pro designation do not have noise canceling, so this control does not apply to them.

The stem press is the fastest method when you are wearing the earbuds. If you want to turn noise canceling off and keep it off for a while, or if the stem press is not working, you can also control it through your device's settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Press and hold the stem on either AirPod for two seconds to cycle through noise control modes, including Off.
  • AirPods Pro have three modes: Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and Off; standard AirPods do not have noise canceling.
  • You can also turn off noise canceling through your iPhone, iPad, or Mac settings under Bluetooth or AirPods settings.
  • If the stem press does not work, check that your AirPods firmware is current and that you are holding long enough for the chime.

Using your iPhone or iPad to turn off noise canceling

Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad and go to Bluetooth. Find your AirPods in the list of connected devices and tap the info icon (the small circle with an "i") next to the name. Scroll down to find "Noise Control" or "Noise Cancellation" and tap it. Select "Off" from the options shown.

This method is useful if you want to make sure noise canceling stays off, or if the stem press is not responding. The setting will stay in place until you change it again, even if you take the AirPods out and put them back in later that same day.

On iPad, the path is the same: Settings > Bluetooth > your AirPods info icon > Noise Control. If you do not see a Noise Control option, your AirPods model does not have this feature, or they need a firmware update.

Turning off noise canceling on a Mac

Click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar at the top of your screen. Find your AirPods in the list and hover over them until a settings icon appears. Click that icon, then select "Noise Cancellation" and choose "Off."

On some Mac models, you may need to go through System Settings instead. Open System Settings, click Bluetooth on the left side, find your AirPods, click the info icon next to them, and then look for the Noise Control option. The exact wording and location can vary depending on your macOS version.

What to do if the stem press is not working

If pressing and holding the stem does not open the noise control menu, first check that you are holding it long enough. The press needs to be steady for about two full seconds, and you should hear a chime before the menu appears. If you are not hearing a chime, you may be releasing too early.

Make sure you are pressing the stem itself, not the speaker part of the earbud. The stem is the smooth, thin section below where the sound comes out. On some AirPods models, the pressure point is very specific, so try pressing slightly higher or lower on the stem if your first attempt does not work.

If the stem still does not respond, your AirPods may need a firmware update. Connect them to your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the info icon next to your AirPods, and check if an update is available. Firmware updates happen automatically when your AirPods are near your device and plugged in to charge, but you can also check manually this way.

Noise canceling modes explained

Active Noise Cancellation uses microphones to detect outside sound and plays the opposite sound wave to cancel it out. This works best for steady, low-frequency noise like airplane engines or air conditioning. It reduces but does not eliminate sudden loud sounds.

Transparency mode lets outside sound in so you can hear conversations, traffic, or announcements while still wearing your AirPods. The microphones pick up ambient sound and play it through the speakers. This is useful when you need to stay aware of your surroundings but still want to listen to music or take a call.

Off mode disables both noise canceling and transparency. Sound from your AirPods plays normally, and you hear the environment around you at full volume. This is the mode to use when you want the least amount of processing and the most natural sound.

Why noise canceling might turn back on

If you turn off noise canceling but it turns back on by itself, check your Focus settings on iPhone or iPad. Go to Settings > Focus and look for any active Focus modes. Some Focus modes automatically switch your noise control setting when they turn on. You can edit each Focus to change what happens to your AirPods noise control, or turn off the Focus entirely.

Another reason noise canceling might reactivate is if you have multiple Apple devices signed into the same account. If you turn off noise canceling on your iPhone but then pick up your iPad, the iPad might have a different noise control setting saved. Check the Bluetooth settings on each device to make sure they match.

If noise canceling keeps turning on even after you disable it and check your Focus settings, try forgetting and re-pairing your AirPods. Go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the info icon next to your AirPods, and select "Forget This Device." Then put your AirPods in pairing mode (hold the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the light flashes white) and pair them again as if they were new.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all AirPods have noise canceling?

No. Only AirPods Pro and AirPods Max have active noise canceling. Standard AirPods and AirPods (3rd generation) do not have this feature. If you own standard AirPods and do not see a noise control option in your settings, your model does not support it.

Can I set different noise control modes for different apps?

Not directly through AirPods settings. However, you can use Focus modes to automatically switch your noise control when you open certain apps. For example, you could set your Work Focus to turn on Active Noise Cancellation and your Personal Focus to turn it off. Go to Settings > Focus to create or edit these rules.

Why does my noise canceling sound muffled or strange?

Active Noise Cancellation can sometimes make music or calls sound slightly different because the processing adds a small amount of latency and changes the audio profile. If the sound seems off, try switching to Transparency mode or Off mode to compare. You can also check if a firmware update is available, as updates sometimes improve audio quality.

Will turning off noise canceling save battery?

Yes, but the difference is small. Active Noise Cancellation uses extra power because the microphones and processing run constantly. Turning it off can extend battery life by an hour or two per charge, depending on your usage. Transparency mode uses slightly less power than Active Noise Cancellation but more than Off mode.

Can I turn off noise canceling for just one earbud?

No. Noise control settings apply to both earbuds at the same time. When you press the stem or change the setting, both AirPods switch modes together. You cannot set one earbud to Active Noise Cancellation and the other to Off.