How to Turn Off Noise Cancellation on AirPods
With the iOS 18 update, Apple removed the option to turn off noise cancellation on AirPods Pro. Now, you only get three modes: Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and Adaptive. In this guide, I will tell you why Apple removed this feature and how you can bring it back. Here’s how to turn off noise cancellation on AirPods Pro.
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Why did Apple remove the off option in noise control?
The AirPods Pro has multiple hearing protection features, with Loud Sound Reduction being one of them. This feature actively reduces loud environmental sounds—but here’s the catch: it only works if Noise Control is enabled.
That’s why, in classic Apple fashion, the company decided it’s better if users don’t have the option to turn off this feature and removed the Off option from the noise control menu.
How to get back the Off option in AirPods noise control menu
While Apple removed the Off option from the Noise Control menu, it wisely added a setting that allows users to restore it. Here’s how you do it:
1. Connect your AirPods to your iPhone and open the Settings app.
2. Tap to open the AirPods setting and scroll to the bottom.
3. Here, turn on the toggle next to Off Listening Mode.
When I open the noise control menu, you will see an Off option. You can tap it to turn off noise cancellation on AirPods.
You can also turn off noise cancellation from the Control Center or use the touch controls on your AirPods Pro stem.
Turn off noise cancellation on AirPods with touch control
1. To turn off noise cancellation using touch controls, first, you have to assign it to the left or right AirPods. I like to control it with my left one, so I will tap to open it.
2. Now tap to choose the Noise Control option and tap on Off to select it. Similarly, you can choose all or any one of the other options.
Pressing and holding on the stem will cycle between all the noise control options you selected.
Turn off noise cancellation on AirPods from Control Center
To turn off noise cancellation using the Control Center:
1. Swipe down from the top-right corner to open the Control Center.
2. Tap and hold the Volume toggle to expand it.
3. Tap the Noise Control option and choose the Off option.
Stop AirPods from automatically switching to transparency mode
Even when you enable the Off option in the Noise Control menu for AirPods, you will notice that the AirPods automatically switch to Transparency mode each time you put them in your ears.
Again, Apple does this so its hearing protection features keep working. But I hate this behavior as it means I have to remember to turn off noise cancellation manually.
To prevent this from happening, connect your AirPods Pro to your iPhone and follow the steps:
1. Launch the Settings app and open Accessibility settings.
2. Scroll down to find the AirPods setting and tap to open it.
3. On this page, turn off Loud Sound Reduction feature.
Your AirPods Pro or AirPods Max will no longer switch to transparency mode from off mode automatically.
In my opinion, Apple has unnecessarily complicated everything. They should allow users to choose what features they want to use without automatically forcing these features on them.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments below. Before you go, click here to learn how to show link previews in Apple Notes.
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