Turn on noise cancellation in Settings or with a physical gesture

Noise cancellation on AirPods works through your iPhone, iPad, or Mac settings, or by using the stem (the thin part below the speaker) on your AirPods Pro or AirPods Max. The method depends on which AirPods model you own and whether you want to change the setting right now or set it as your default.

AirPods Pro (2nd and 1st generation) and AirPods Max have active noise cancellation built in. Standard AirPods and AirPods Pro Max do not. If you own a different model, you won't find a noise cancellation option in your settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Only AirPods Pro and AirPods Max have noise cancellation; standard AirPods do not.
  • You can turn noise cancellation on or off by pressing and holding the stem on your AirPods Pro, or by going to Settings on your device.
  • Noise cancellation drains your battery faster than standard listening mode.
  • You can switch between noise cancellation, transparency mode, and off without removing your AirPods.

Activate noise cancellation using the stem on your AirPods Pro

The quickest way to turn noise cancellation on is to press and hold the stem of one AirPod until you hear a chime or feel a haptic tap. This toggles between your three audio modes: noise cancellation, transparency mode (which lets outside sound in), and off.

You can customize which modes appear when you press the stem. By default, all three modes cycle through, but you can remove transparency mode or the off mode so that pressing the stem only switches between two options. To change this, open Settings on your iPhone, go to Bluetooth, tap the information icon next to your AirPods Pro, scroll to Audio Modes, and uncheck the modes you don't want to use.

Turn on noise cancellation through your device settings

If you prefer to control noise cancellation from your phone or computer, you can do it through the Control Center on iPhone or iPad, or through System Settings on Mac.

On iPhone or iPad: Swipe down from the top right corner to open Control Center. Long-press the audio card (the one showing your volume), then tap the audio device icon at the bottom. You'll see three options: noise cancellation, transparency, and off. Tap the one you want.

On Mac: Click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar, find your AirPods in the list, hover over them, and click the information icon. Select your preferred audio mode from the dropdown menu.

How noise cancellation affects battery life

Noise cancellation uses extra power because your AirPods are actively processing sound to cancel it out. With noise cancellation on, AirPods Pro last about 6 hours per charge. With it off, they last about 6 hours as well, but the difference becomes noticeable over a full day of use.

If you're using your AirPods all day and battery life matters, you may want to turn noise cancellation off when you don't need it — for example, during quiet work or at home. Transparency mode uses less power than active noise cancellation but more than having all modes off.

Troubleshoot if noise cancellation isn't working

If you've turned on noise cancellation but it doesn't seem to be blocking sound, first check that your AirPods fit properly. Noise cancellation works best when the seal between the AirPod and your ear canal is tight. If the fit is loose, sound will leak in around the edges.

Try a different size of ear tip. AirPods Pro come with three sizes: small, medium, and large. Go to Settings, Bluetooth, tap the information icon next to your AirPods Pro, and select Ear Tip Fit Test to see if your current size is sealing properly. If the test fails, switch to a different size and test again.

If noise cancellation still isn't working, restart your AirPods by going to Settings, Bluetooth, tapping the information icon, and selecting Forget This Device. Then hold the setup button on the back of the charging case for 15 seconds until the light flashes white, and pair them again to your device.

The difference between noise cancellation and transparency mode

Noise cancellation blocks outside sound so you hear only what's playing through your AirPods. Transparency mode does the opposite — it lets outside sound in so you can hear your surroundings while still wearing your AirPods. You can switch between them instantly without removing your AirPods.

Use noise cancellation when you want to focus or block distractions. Use transparency mode when you need to hear what's happening around you — for example, if you're walking outside, in a store, or in a meeting where you need to stay aware of your surroundings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all AirPods have noise cancellation?

No. Only AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd generation) and AirPods Max have active noise cancellation. Standard AirPods and AirPods Pro Max do not have this feature.

Can I use noise cancellation and transparency mode at the same time?

No. You can only use one audio mode at a time. You switch between noise cancellation, transparency, and off by pressing the stem or through your device settings. Some newer AirPods models allow you to customize which modes appear when you press the stem.

Why does noise cancellation drain my battery faster?

Noise cancellation requires your AirPods to actively process and analyze sound waves to cancel them out. This extra processing uses more power than passive listening. The difference is noticeable over a full day but not dramatic on a per-hour basis.

What should I do if noise cancellation stops working?

First, check that your AirPods fit snugly in your ears — a loose fit breaks the seal and lets sound leak in. Try a different ear tip size and run the Ear Tip Fit Test in Settings. If that doesn't work, forget your AirPods in Bluetooth settings and re-pair them by holding the setup button on the charging case for 15 seconds.