Adaptive Transparency Feature Works for AirPods Max Users in iOS 16.1 Beta - MacRumors
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Adaptive Transparency Feature Works for AirPods Max Users in iOS 16.1 Beta

Last week, Apple's third iOS 16.1 beta expanded the Adaptive Transparency feature introduced with the second-generation AirPods Pro to the original AirPods Pro, and several users have now confirmed it works on AirPods Max, too.

airpods max blue image
Owners of Apple's premium over-ear headphones running the latest 5A304a firmware have reported access to the new Adaptive Transparency toggle in the AirPods Max section of the Settings app in both iOS 16.1 and iPadOS 16.1 betas.

Unveiled with the debut of AirPods Pro 2, Adaptive Transparency is designed to allow the AirPods to block out loud sounds, such loud speakers at a concert, sirens, construction work, without blocking out all noise.

The feature is confirmed to be working on AirPods Max, even though the description beneath the toggle in Settings still only refers to AirPods Pro, so Apple still needs to update the menu. We're still waiting for confirmation that the feature also works on Beats Fit Pro, which like first-generation AirPods Pro include Apple's H1 chip.

(Thanks, Grady!)

Related Roundup: AirPods Max 2
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Max (Buy Now)
Related Forum: AirPods

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Top Rated Comments

Reason077 Avatar
51 months ago
I really want AirPods Max. Can't wait till they come out with a USB-C version.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
51 months ago
Nice , add feature without additional cost
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
51 months ago

That was my strategy for the HomePod. 😌
And what happened there was that Apple introduced a cheaper HomePod with much worse sound quality. I've got both and there's no comparison at all.

I just hope they don't do the same with the AirPods Max.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Alfredo_Delgado Avatar
51 months ago

Same. I want to get them but at this point they have been on the market long enough that a v2 may be around the corner, so I'll wait for that.
That was my strategy for the HomePod. 😌
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SFjohn Avatar
51 months ago

I don't use them at all. I just trashed $$$.
Sell them to someone here that’s waiting to buy at $350 and recoup some of your investment. I bought mine full price and love them without regret. I sleep with them because they are so comfortable, and do a stellar job of blocking out street noise while playing a custom mix of babbling brook, Niagara Falls, hot tub - all at the same time... 😉
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
51 months ago

I get most of what they are trying to do except sirens. That seems like a safety problem. Also what happens if this blocks out fire alarms too…
That’s not how it works.
It just turns down really loud sounds to make them more safe for your ears, it doesn’t disable them entirely.
Even with noise cancellation on if a fire alarm goes off nearby, you’re still definitely going to hear it.
Noise canceling headphones have Existed for literal decades, why is this only an issue now that Apple is doing it?
It’s the AirTags thing all over again
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)