Noise cancelling works differently depending on which AirPods you own

Not all AirPods have noise cancelling. Only AirPods Pro (both the original and the newer second generation) and AirPods Max include this feature. If you have standard AirPods, AirPods Fit, or AirPods 3, you will not see a noise cancelling option anywhere — the hardware simply does not support it.

If you do have AirPods Pro or AirPods Max, noise cancelling is turned on through your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. You cannot turn it on from the AirPods themselves. The process takes about 10 seconds once you know where to look.

Key Takeaways

  • Only AirPods Pro and AirPods Max have noise cancelling; standard AirPods do not include this feature.
  • You turn on noise cancelling through your phone or computer's Control Center or Settings, not from the AirPods themselves.
  • On iPhone and iPad, swipe up from the bottom to open Control Center, then press and hold the volume icon to find the noise cancelling option.
  • You can also set up a shortcut so tapping the noise cancelling button on your AirPods toggles between modes without opening Control Center.

Turning on noise cancelling from your iPhone or iPad

Open Control Center by swiping up from the bottom of your screen (or swiping down from the top right if you have a newer iPhone with Face ID). Look for the volume slider — it shows a speaker icon with a vertical line next to it.

Press and hold the volume slider itself. A new menu will appear with three noise cancelling options: Noise Cancelling, Transparency, and Off. Tap Noise Cancelling to turn it on. The menu will close, and your AirPods will immediately switch to noise cancelling mode.

If you do not see this menu when you hold the volume slider, make sure your AirPods Pro are connected to your iPhone. Open Settings, tap Bluetooth, and check that your AirPods appear in the list with a checkmark next to them.

Turning on noise cancelling from your Mac

Click the Control Center icon in the top right corner of your menu bar — it looks like a grid of dots. Scroll down until you see the Sound section.

Click the sound icon (it looks like a speaker), and a submenu will open showing your connected audio devices. Find your AirPods Pro in the list and click on them. A second menu will appear with the noise cancelling options. Click Noise Cancelling to turn it on.

On older Macs running earlier versions of macOS, you may need to go to System Preferences instead. Click the Apple menu, select System Preferences, then click Sound. Select your AirPods Pro from the output device list, and look for the noise cancelling option in that window.

Using the physical button on your AirPods Pro

Your AirPods Pro have a small stem on the outside of each earbud. Press and hold this stem for about two seconds. Your AirPods will cycle through the three modes: Noise Cancelling, Transparency, and Off. Keep holding until you reach Noise Cancelling.

This is the fastest way to toggle noise cancelling once it is already set up, but you still need to have turned it on at least once through your phone or computer first. The stem button does not turn on a mode that has never been activated — it only cycles between modes you have already used.

What to do if noise cancelling is not working

First, check that you actually have AirPods Pro or AirPods Max. Open your iPhone's Settings, go to Bluetooth, and tap the information icon (a small circle with an "i") next to your AirPods. Look for the model name — it should say "AirPods Pro" or "AirPods Max". If it says anything else, your AirPods do not have this feature.

If you do have AirPods Pro and noise cancelling is not appearing in Control Center, try disconnecting and reconnecting your AirPods. Go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, find your AirPods, tap the information icon, and select Forget This Device. Then open the charging case near your iPhone, and when the setup screen appears, tap Connect. This usually fixes the problem.

If noise cancelling is on but you still hear outside noise, check that your AirPods fit properly in your ears. Noise cancelling works best when the seal is tight. Try adjusting them or switching to a different ear tip size if your AirPods Pro came with multiple sizes.

Switching between noise cancelling and transparency mode

Transparency mode lets you hear the world around you without taking your AirPods out. You switch between Noise Cancelling and Transparency using the same methods: either through Control Center on your phone, or by pressing and holding the stem on your AirPods.

Many people use Transparency when they are in a conversation, crossing the street, or need to hear announcements. Noise Cancelling is better for focused work, calls, or blocking out background noise like traffic or office chatter. You can switch between them as many times as you want throughout the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to turn on noise cancelling every time I put my AirPods in?

No. Once you turn on noise cancelling, your AirPods will remember that setting and stay in noise cancelling mode the next time you use them — unless you manually switch to Transparency or Off. If your AirPods keep switching modes on their own, try forgetting and reconnecting them as described above.

Can I turn on noise cancelling without opening Control Center?

Yes, if you press and hold the stem on your AirPods Pro for two seconds, they will cycle through the three modes. This is faster than opening Control Center, but only works if you have already turned on noise cancelling at least once before.

Why does noise cancelling drain my battery faster?

Noise cancelling uses extra power because it is actively processing sound. Your AirPods Pro will last about four to six hours with noise cancelling on, compared to six hours with it off. Turning it off when you do not need it will extend your battery life.

Does noise cancelling work on phone calls?

Yes. When you are on a call with noise cancelling on, your AirPods will reduce background noise so the person on the other end hears you more clearly. You can turn noise cancelling on or off during a call using Control Center or the stem button.

What is the difference between noise cancelling and Transparency mode?

Noise cancelling blocks outside sounds so you hear mainly what is playing through your AirPods. Transparency mode lets you hear your music or calls while also hearing the world around you — useful for conversations or safety. Off mode disables both features.