Noise cancellation works differently depending on which AirPods model you own

Not all AirPods have noise cancellation. Only AirPods Pro (both the original 2019 model and the 2nd generation released in 2022) and AirPods Max include this feature. If you own standard AirPods, AirPods Air, or AirPods Pro Max, you'll need to check your model first — the steps won't work on devices without the hardware to support it.

Once you confirm you have AirPods Pro or AirPods Max, turning on noise cancellation takes about 30 seconds. The process is the same whether you're using an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch paired to the same iCloud account.

Key Takeaways

  • Only AirPods Pro and AirPods Max have noise cancellation; standard AirPods do not include this feature.
  • You control noise cancellation through your device's Control Center or Settings, not through the AirPods themselves.
  • AirPods Pro offer three modes: Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and Off — you can switch between them in seconds.
  • If noise cancellation doesn't appear as an option, your AirPods may need a firmware update through your iPhone or iPad.

Turning on noise cancellation through Control Center on iPhone or iPad

The fastest way to turn on noise cancellation is through Control Center. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone or iPad screen (or swipe up from the bottom if you have an older model). Look for the audio or sound controls — you'll see a speaker icon with a small menu next to it.

Tap and hold that speaker icon. A menu will appear showing your connected AirPods and three noise control options: Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and Off. Tap Active Noise Cancellation. The setting takes effect when ready — you should feel the change in what you hear within a second.

Once you've turned it on this way, it stays on until you switch to a different mode or turn off your AirPods. If you switch to Transparency mode (which lets you hear the world around you while listening), you can switch back to Active Noise Cancellation the same way.

Turning on noise cancellation through Settings on any device

If you prefer to set it once and leave it, you can change the default through Settings. On iPhone or iPad, open Settings and tap Bluetooth. Find your AirPods Pro in the list and tap the information icon (the small circle with an "i") next to the name.

Scroll down to find Noise Control or Noise Cancellation. You'll see three options: Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and Off. Select Active Noise Cancellation. This becomes your default mode — your AirPods will start in this mode the next time you put them in your ears.

On a Mac, open System Settings, click Bluetooth in the sidebar, find your AirPods Pro, click the information icon, and look for the same Noise Control menu. On Apple Watch, open the Watch app on your paired iPhone, go to Audio, and select your AirPods Pro from the list to find the same setting.

What to do if noise cancellation doesn't show up as an option

If you don't see Active Noise Cancellation in Control Center or Settings, your AirPods Pro may need a firmware update. Apple releases updates automatically when your AirPods are connected to power and near your iPhone or iPad, but you can force a check by opening Settings on your iPhone, tapping General, then About, and looking for your AirPods in the list.

If an update is available, it will show a version number with an arrow. Keep your AirPods in their case, plugged into power, and near your iPhone while the update installs — this usually takes a few minutes. Once the update finishes, the noise cancellation option will appear in Control Center and Settings.

If you've confirmed your AirPods Pro are fully updated and noise cancellation still doesn't appear, try unpairing and re-pairing them. Go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the information 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.

Understanding the three noise control modes on AirPods Pro

Active Noise Cancellation uses microphones on the outside of your AirPods to listen to the world around you, then plays the opposite sound wave to cancel it out. This works best for steady, low-frequency noise like airplane engines, traffic, or air conditioning. It's less effective for sudden sounds or high-pitched noise.

Transparency mode does the opposite — it amplifies outside sound so you can hear conversations, announcements, or traffic while your music or podcast plays. This is useful when you need to stay aware of your surroundings but still want audio playing.

Off turns off both noise cancellation and transparency, so you hear only your audio without any outside sound being processed. You can switch between all three modes in Control Center in seconds, so you don't have to choose one and stick with it for the whole day.

Why noise cancellation might feel weaker than expected

Noise cancellation works by canceling sound waves, not by blocking sound physically. If you're in a very loud environment or hearing high-pitched sounds, you'll still hear some noise even with Active Noise Cancellation on. This is normal — the feature reduces noise rather than eliminating it completely.

If noise cancellation suddenly feels weaker than it did before, check that the microphone holes on the outside of your AirPods aren't blocked by dirt or earwax. Gently clean them with a dry, lint-free cloth. Also make sure the rubber ear tips fit snugly in your ear — if they're loose, the seal breaks and noise cancellation becomes much less effective.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use noise cancellation on both AirPods at the same time?

Yes. Noise cancellation works on both the left and right AirPod when you're wearing both. If you remove one AirPod, the remaining one continues to use noise cancellation. You can also wear just one AirPod with noise cancellation on while the other stays in the case.

Does noise cancellation drain the battery faster?

Yes, using Active Noise Cancellation shortens battery life compared to using your AirPods Pro with noise cancellation off. Apple estimates you get about 6 hours of listening time with noise cancellation on, versus 6 hours with it off — the difference is small but measurable. Transparency mode uses slightly less battery than Active Noise Cancellation.

Will noise cancellation work if my AirPods Pro don't fit snugly?

No. Noise cancellation requires a good seal in your ear. If the rubber ear tips are too loose or the wrong size, the feature won't work well. Try the different ear tip sizes that came in the box — most people need either the small or large size, not the medium that comes pre-installed.

Can I turn on noise cancellation without opening Control Center?

Not directly from the AirPods themselves — there's no button to press on the AirPods Pro to toggle noise cancellation. You have to use Control Center or Settings on your device. However, you can set a default mode in Settings so your AirPods always start in Active Noise Cancellation when you put them in your ears.