Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency modes for AirPods

You can switch between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency listening modes on your AirPods 4 and later, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max, depending on how much of your surroundings you want to hear. You can also turn off listening modes.

What are Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency modes?

With Active Noise Cancellation, an outward-facing microphone or microphones detect external sounds, which your AirPods 4 (ANC), AirPods 5 (both models), AirPods Pro 1, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Max 1, and AirPods Max 2 then counter with anti-noise, canceling the external sounds before you hear them. An inward-facing microphone listens inside your ear for unwanted internal sounds, which your AirPods also counter with anti-noise.

Transparency mode lets outside sound in, so you can hear what's going on around you. Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode work best when your AirPods Pro fit well.

If you have AirPods 4 (ANC), AirPods 5 (both models), AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, or AirPods Max 2 and the latest version of iOS or iPadOS, you can also use Adaptive Audio, which adjusts the noise cancellation for you in response to and based on your surroundings.

With AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods Max 2, listening modes can also reduce your exposure to loud environmental sounds.

Switch between listening modes

You can switch between listening modes right from your AirPods, or you can use your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac. When you switch between modes, a chime plays.

Switch between listening modes on your AirPods Max 1 or AirPods Max 2

When you're wearing your AirPods Max 1 or your AirPods Max 2, press the listening mode button to switch between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency modes. With AirPods Max 2, you can also switch to Adaptive Audio. You can customize which modes to switch between in Bluetooth settings on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

Switch between listening modes on your AirPods 4 (ANC), AirPods 5 (both models), or AirPods Pro

Press and hold the force sensor on the stem of an AirPod until a chime plays.

When you're wearing both AirPods, press and hold the force sensor on either AirPod to switch between Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, and Off. With AirPods 4 (ANC), AirPods 5 (both models), AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Pro 3, you can also switch to Adaptive Audio. You can customize which modes to switch between in AirPods Settings on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

To use Active Noise Cancellation with one AirPod only, use your iPhone or iPad to go to the Settings app, then tap Accessibility. Below Accessories, tap AirPods, tap the name of your AirPods, and turn on "Noise Cancellation with One AirPod." Then press and hold the force sensor to switch between listening modes.

Switch between listening modes on your iPhone or iPad

1. Swipe down from the top right corner of your device to open Control Center on your iPhone or on your iPad.

2. While wearing your AirPods, touch and hold the volume slider until you see the additional controls.

3. Tap the listening mode that you want.

   

4. With iOS 27 or iPadOS 27 or later, when you select Adaptive, you can move the slider to the left or right to adjust the amount of ambient noise allowed into your AirPods. To select the listening modes that you want to use with the force sensor on your AirPods 4 (ANC), AirPods 5 (both models), or AirPods Pro, or with the listening mode button on your AirPods Max, select two or three modes under Button Cycles Between.

   

You can also customize and switch between listening modes in Settings:

1. With your AirPods in your ears and connected to your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings.

2. Tap the name of your AirPods.

3. Tap the listening mode that you want.

4. With iOS 27 or iPadOS 27 or later, when you select Adaptive, you can move the slider to the left or right to adjust the amount of ambient noise allowed into your AirPods.

   

Switch between listening modes on your Apple Watch

1. With your AirPods Pro or AirPods Max connected to your Apple Watch, press the side button to go to Control Center.

2. While you're listening to audio, tap the icon of your AirPods.

3. Choose a listening mode.

Switch between listening modes on your Mac

1. With your AirPods connected to your Mac, click the AirPods icon in the menu bar.

2. Click the name of your AirPods, then choose the listening mode you want.

   

You can also choose the two or three listening modes that you want to use with the force sensor on your AirPods or with the listening mode button on your AirPods Max:

1. With your AirPods Pro or AirPods Max connected to your Mac, choose Apple menu , then click System Settings.

2. Click the name of your AirPods, then choose an option next to Press and Hold to Cycle Between. If Press and Hold to Cycle Between isn’t displayed, first click Controls & Gestures.

   

Find out what to do if Active Noise Cancellation isn’t working as expected on your AirPods Pro.

Turn off listening modes

1. Connect your AirPods to your device. Then, on your iPhone or iPad, go to the Settings app, then tap the name of your AirPods. On your Mac, choose Apple menu, click System Settings, then click the name of your AirPods.

2. For AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Pro 3 paired with compatible devices,* enable the setting called Off Listening Mode, which allows you to turn off all listening mode technology. If that option isn't displayed, first select Audio & Routing.

3. Under Listening Mode, select Off. For AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Pro 3 on compatible devices, turning off Listening Mode also disables Hearing Protection features.