How to Turn On Noise Canceling on AirPods

This article explains how to use noise-canceling on AirPods Pro, how to turn it off, and how the feature works.

How to Turn On Noise Cancelling on AirPods Pro

The AirPods Pro deliver a top-quality listening experience thanks to their Noise Control features. To get the best sound from Noise Control, use noise-canceling on AirPods Pro. There are four ways to do this.

How to Turn on Noise Canceling on AirPods Pro in Control Center

The Control Center has an option that you can use to turn on noise-canceling for your AirPods Pro, and this probably the fastest and easiest way to turn the feature on.

1. Connect the AirPods to your device.

   Here's what to do if your AirPods won't connect.

2. Open Control Center (on some models, do this by swiping down from the top right corner. On other models, swipe up from the bottom of the screen).

3. Long press the volume slider (an AirPods icon appears there when they're connected).

4. Tap Noise Control.

5. Tap Noise Cancellation.

How to Turn on Noise Cancelling on AirPods Pro in Settings

You can use the Settings options to turn on the noise canceling on your AirPods Pro with a few simple taps.

1. Tap the Settings app to open it.

2. Tap Bluetooth.

3. Tap the i next to the AirPods Pro.

4. In the Noise Control section, tap Noise Cancellation.

How to Turn on Noise Canceling on AirPods Pro with the AirPods

Don't want to look at your screen? You can enable noise canceling by touching your AirPods, too. Press and hold the stem of one AirPod (press the same area as when you play/pause audio or answer/end a phone call). Hold until you hear a chime. Each chime signals that you've moved between Noise Control settings: Noise Cancellation, Transparency, or Off. Stop holding when noise cancellation is selected.

How to Turn Off Noise Cancellation on AirPods Pro

Want to stop using noise cancellation? Turn it off by following the steps from any of the previous sections. At the final stage, either tap Off or Transparency to enable Transparency Mode.

How Noise Cancelling Works on AirPods Pro

Noise cancellation is part of an AirPods Pro feature called Noise Control. Noise Control comes in two flavors: Noise Cancellation and Transparency. They both make your listening experience better by filtering out background noise. It also means you can listen at a lower volume and reduce the possibility of hearing damage.

Noise Control uses the AirPods' built-in microphone to detect ambient sound levels and uses software to filter those sounds. Transparency Mode allows some sounds through, such as voices, with the idea that you'll still want to hear those.

Noise Cancellation is a little different. It blocks out as much sound as possible, giving the sense of being enveloped in what you're listening to and drastically lowering the noise level of everything around you.