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Use AirPods Noise Cancellation, Transparency and Adaptive

Block out a noisy train, hear the world around you, or let your AirPods decide. Here's which modes your AirPods have, how to switch between them, and what to do when noise cancellation seems weak.

Learn + fix~10 minEasy
Start here · 30 seconds

The three listening modes

  • Noise Cancellation uses microphones to listen to outside sound and cancel it out. Best for planes, trains, offices and focus.
  • Transparency lets outside sound in, so you can hear traffic, announcements and people talking while you listen.
  • Adaptive blends the two and adjusts on its own as your surroundings get louder or quieter.

There's also Off, which uses neither. Not every model has every mode, so pick yours below.

PICKWhat can your AirPods do?

Try it · model picker Which AirPods do you have?

Not sure which you have? On iPhone, open Settings and tap your AirPods' name near the top, then look under About.

HOWSwitch modes from your devices

Put your AirPods in and make sure they're connected first. Every method changes the same setting, so use whichever is handy.

iPhone or iPad: Control Center

Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center. Touch and hold the volume slider, then tap the mode you want. On iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, Adaptive also has a slider for how much outside sound comes through.

iPhone or iPad: Settings

Open Settings, tap your AirPods' name near the top, and choose a listening mode. Here you can also pick which modes the stem or button cycles through.

Mac

Click the AirPods icon in the menu bar (or Control Center › Sound), click your AirPods' name and choose a mode. To change what the stem cycles through: System Settings › your AirPods › Press and Hold to Cycle Between.

Apple Watch

While audio is playing, press the side button to open Control Center, tap the AirPods icon, and choose a mode.

Want noise cancellation with just one AirPod in? Turn on Settings › Accessibility › AirPods › your AirPods › Noise Cancellation with One AirPod. By default it only works with both in.

CHOOSEWhich mode should I use?

Try it · mode chooser Where are you?

Pick a situation to see a suggestion.

Stay aware of your surroundings. Noise Cancellation can hide car horns, bikes and announcements. Use Transparency or Adaptive, at a sensible volume, whenever you need to hear what's around you.

FIXNoise cancellation not working?

If ANC sounds weak, uneven or won't turn on, try these in order.

  1. With both AirPods in, open Control Center, touch and hold the volume slider, and make sure Noise Cancellation is selected.
  2. Make sure Adaptive isn't the mode selected. Adaptive lets some sound through on purpose, so it can feel weaker than full Noise Cancellation.
  3. Using only one AirPod? ANC turns off unless you've switched on Noise Cancellation with One AirPod in Accessibility settings.
Play some audio and take one AirPod out. If the audio doesn't pause, the ear detection isn't working properly and a reset (step 5) usually fixes it.
  1. Update your iPhone in Settings › General › Software Update (or your Mac in System Settings › General › Software Update).
  2. AirPods update themselves. To help it along, put them in their case, plug the case into power, and leave it near your iPhone while the iPhone is on Wi-Fi. Give it at least 30 minutes.
  3. To see the firmware version, open Settings, tap your AirPods' name and scroll to About.

On AirPods Pro, noise cancellation depends on the ear tips sealing your ear canal. A tip that's too small lets in noise and drains the bass.

  1. With your AirPods Pro in and connected, open Settings and tap your AirPods' name (or Settings › Bluetooth, then the info button next to them).
  2. Tap Ear Tip Fit Test (AirPods Pro and Pro 2) or Test Acoustic Seal (AirPods Pro 3), then follow the prompts.
  3. If it says to adjust or try a different tip, swap to another size from the box and test again. Each ear can use a different size.

AirPods 4 and AirPods 5 don't have ear tips. Twist them gently so they sit snugly in your ear. AirPods Max need the ear cushions to sit flat around your ears; glasses arms and hair can break the seal.

ANC needs its outer microphones to hear outside noise. Covering them, or a build-up of earwax and dust on the mesh, can cause weak cancellation, squeals, chirps or crackling.

  • Keep fingers, hats and hoods off the AirPods while testing.
  • If you notice less bass or more background noise, Apple's cleaning method is to brush only the microphone and speaker meshes with a soft-bristled toothbrush dipped in micellar water, blot on a paper towel, repeat with distilled water, then let them dry at least two hours.
  • Pull AirPods Pro ear tips off and rinse them in plain water (no soap), then dry them completely before putting them back.
Don't run AirPods under the tap or poke the mesh with pins, needles or anything sharp. Don't charge or use them until they're fully dry.

A reset fixes ANC that won't turn on from Settings or Control Center, and ear detection problems.

  1. Put the AirPods in their case, close the lid and wait 30 seconds.
  2. On your iPhone, go to Settings › Bluetooth, tap the info button next to your AirPods, then Forget This Device.
  3. Open the lid and reset:
    • AirPods Pro and Pro 2: press and hold the button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds, until the light flashes amber, then white.
    • AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4 and AirPods 5: double-tap the front of the case while the light is on, again when it flashes white, and a third time when it flashes faster. Wait for amber, then white.
    • AirPods Max: charge them for a few minutes, then press and hold the noise control button and the Digital Crown together until the light flashes amber, then white (about 15 seconds).
  4. Hold the open case (or the Max) next to your iPhone and follow the setup prompts.

Turn on Noise Cancellation with One AirPod (see above), then try each AirPod on its own in the same noisy spot. If one is clearly worse after cleaning and a fresh seal test, that AirPod may need service. Apple can replace a single AirPod.

🎧
Peace and quiet restored.

Rerun the seal test whenever ANC feels weaker, and clean the meshes every few months.

Still not working?

Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store. Tell them you've updated the firmware, done the seal test, cleaned the mesh and reset the AirPods. Check your coverage first at checkcoverage.apple.com.

FAQCommon questions

What's the difference between Adaptive and Transparency?

Transparency always lets outside sound in. Adaptive changes how much it lets in: when it gets loud, it cuts more noise; when it's quiet, it lets more in. It's a good "leave it on all day" mode.

Why don't I see Adaptive?

Adaptive is on AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4 with ANC, AirPods 5 and AirPods Max 2, with up-to-date firmware and software. The original AirPods Pro and original AirPods Max don't have it.

Do the regular AirPods 4 have noise cancellation?

No. Only the "AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation" model has listening modes. Both AirPods 5 models have Noise Cancellation, Transparency and Adaptive.

Does noise cancellation use more battery?

Yes, a little. If you're in a quiet room and need every minute of battery, switch to Off.

Why do I hear a hiss or squeal with ANC on?

Usually something is covering the outer microphones, or the mesh is dirty. Uncover them, clean the mesh as in step 4, and update the firmware.

Can I choose which modes the stem switches between?

Yes. On iPhone, open Settings, tap your AirPods' name and change Button Cycles Between (or Press and Hold). On Mac it's in System Settings under your AirPods.

MOREOfficial help

Apple SupportListening modes on your AirPods Apple SupportIf Active Noise Cancellation isn't working as expected Apple SupportHow to clean your AirPods Pro Apple SupportReset your AirPods

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