iOS 16.1 Beta Brings Adaptive Transparency to Original AirPods Pro

The third beta of iOS 16.1 that was released earlier this week expands the Adaptive Transparency feature introduced with the second-generation AirPods Pro to the original ‌AirPods Pro‌.

adaptive transparency airpods pro
As noted on Reddit, first-generation ‌AirPods Pro‌ owners who also have the AirPods beta software will now see an "Adaptive Transparency" toggle in the AirPods section of the Settings app. The 5A304A beta firmware is required to see the setting.

Apple debuted Adaptive Transparency with the ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2. It is designed to allow the AirPods to block out loud sounds, such as sirens, construction work, or loud speakers at a concert without blocking out all noise.

The ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 have an upgraded H2 chip that allows for Adaptive Transparency to work, so it is not yet clear how Adaptive Transparency with the H1 chip in the original ‌AirPods Pro‌ works in comparison.

(Thanks, Aaron!)

Related Roundups: AirPods Pro, iOS 16, iPadOS 16
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forums: AirPods, iOS 16

Top Rated Comments

Logic368 Avatar
9 months ago
Lol, apple being generous? What a warm fuzzy feeling
Score: 39 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vtuberalpha Avatar
9 months ago
Now if only Apple did this with the Photonic Engine and 4K Cinematic Mode on the 13 (Pros). Since, you know, the 14 with the same hardware makes use of it.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rushium Avatar
9 months ago
hopefully this means that AirPods Max will get adaptive transparency as well
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mdracer Avatar
9 months ago
I appreciate a little backwards capability every now and then.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannys1 Avatar
9 months ago

your not understanding a loud drilling and road works should cut the sound to normal level but its the same like wearing then and with them on with it on, it doesn't work
Thanks for writing one of the worst sentences i've ever read - also it's "you're" and it does work, it's just you.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ignatius345 Avatar
9 months ago

hopefully this means that AirPods Max will get adaptive transparency as well
Would be nice, I suppose, but definitely more crucial with AirPods Pro, which are much better "out and about" headphones. I love my AirPods Max but they're a bit much to walk around outside with...
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)