This article explains how to control the Active Noise Cancellation feature on Apple's AirPods Max headphones. Bear in mind that iOS devices need to be running iOS 14.3 or later in order to support ‌‌AirPods Max‌. You can check that your device is updated by launching the Settings app and going to General -> Software Update.

airpods max on head

What is the Active Noise Cancellation Feature on AirPods Max?

‌‌AirPods Max‌ are Apple's first own-brand over-ear headphones with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which is designed to block out the outside world so you can focus on what you're listening to. Several microphones on the outside of the headphones listen to the noise around you and then create an inverse wave to reduce the volume of the incoming sound.

In contrast, Transparency mode allows you to simultaneously listen to music while still hearing the environment around you – whether that's to hear traffic during a walk or an important train announcement during the morning commute. It uses the same external microphones as ANC to monitor the sound, but that sound is then passed through the headphones just like any other audio, while advanced software ensures that your own voice sounds natural as your audio continues to play perfectly.

How to Control Active Noise Cancellation on AirPods Max

There are three ways of controlling Active Noise Cancellation on ‌‌AirPods Max‌. The first method involves using a physical button on the ‌headphones themselves that offers default settings, while the second and third methods are accessed via onscreen menus on the connected iOS device.

Method 1:

  1. Allow your ‌AirPods‌ Max to connect to your iPhone or iPad in the usual way, by taking them out of the Smart Case and putting them over your ears.
  2. Press the noise control button on the top of the right ear cup to cycle between Noise Cancellation and Transparency, depending on your preference.
    airpods max digital crown

  3. You'll hear a tone when switching between the two functions.

If you want, you can customize the noise control button on the ‌‌AirPods Max‌, and even use it to turn off the noise control features completely.

Method 2:

  1. Allow your ‌AirPods‌ Max to connect to your ‌iPhone‌ or ‌iPad‌ in the usual way, by taking them out of the Smart Case and putting them over your ears.
  2. Launch the Settings app on your iOS device.
  3. Tap Bluetooth.
    settings

  4. Under My Devices, tap the information icon (the circled "i") next to ‌AirPods Max‌ in the list.
  5. Under Noise Control, tap Noise Cancellation, Off, or Transparency, depending on your preference.

Method 3:

  1. Allow your ‌AirPods Max‌ to connect to your ‌iPhone‌ or ‌iPad‌ in the usual way, by taking them out of the Smart Case and putting them over your ears.
  2. Open Control Center on your iOS device: On an ‌iPad‌ with a Home button, double-tap the Home button; on ‌iPhone‌ 8 or earlier, swipe up from the bottom of the screen; and on a 2018 iPad Pro or ‌iPhone‌ X and later, swipe down from the upper right of the screen.

  3. Press and hold the Control Center volume bar (pair of earbuds will be visible inside of it to indicate the ‌AirPods Max‌ are connected.)
  4. Tap the Noise Control button.
    control center

  5. Use the strip of buttons to switch between Noise Cancellation, Off, or Transparency, depending on your preference.

How to Control Active Noise Cancellation on Mac

If you've got your ‌AirPods Max‌ connected to a Mac running macOS Catalina or later, you can also control noise cancellation from the volume icon in the menu bar. Simply hover over your ‌AirPods Max‌ in the Output Device list to reveal a submenu, where you can click Transparency, Noise Cancellation, and Off.

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

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Friday July 4, 2025 1:05 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are just over two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:Apple logo repositioned: Apple's logo may have a lower position on the back of the iPhone 17 Pro models, compared to previous...
Apple Watch Ultra Night Mode Screen

Apple Watch Ultra 3 Launching Later This Year With Two Key Upgrades

Wednesday July 2, 2025 1:13 pm PDT by
The long wait for an Apple Watch Ultra 3 appears to be nearly over, and it is rumored to feature both satellite connectivity and 5G support. Apple Watch Ultra's existing Night Mode In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is on track to launch this year with "significant" new features, including satellite connectivity, which would let you...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Max Battery Capacity Leaked

Thursday July 3, 2025 5:40 am PDT by
The iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature the biggest ever battery in an iPhone, according to the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital." In a new post, the leaker listed the battery capacities of the iPhone 11 Pro Max through to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and added that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature a battery capacity of 5,000mAh: iPhone 11 Pro Max: 3,969mAh iPhone 12 Pro Max: 3,687mAh...
airpods pro 2

AirPods Pro 3 to Help Maintain Apple's Place in Earbud Market Amid Increasing Low-Cost Competition

Thursday July 3, 2025 7:25 am PDT by
Apple's position as the dominant force in the global true wireless stereo (TWS) earbud market is expected to continue through 2025, according to Counterpoint Research. The forecast outlines a 3% year-over-year increase in global TWS unit shipments for 2025, signaling a transition from rapid growth to a more mature phase for the category. While Apple is set to remain the leading brand by...
iphone 16 pro models 1

Here's How the iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Compare to the iPhone 17 Pro

Saturday July 5, 2025 1:00 pm PDT by
Apple should unveil the iPhone 17 series in September, and there might be one bigger difference between the Pro and Pro Max models this year. As always, the Pro Max model will be larger than the Pro model:iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch display iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch displayGiven the Pro Max is physically larger than the Pro, it has more internal space, allowing for a larger battery and...
apple silicon mac lineup 2024 feature purple m5

Apple's Upcoming Macs Listed in New Report

Thursday July 3, 2025 9:09 am PDT by
AppleInsider's Marko Zivkovic today shared a list of alleged identifiers for future Mac models, which should roll out over the next year or so. The report does not reveal anything too surprising, but it does serve as further evidence that Apple is seemingly working on new models of every Mac, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro. Apple is...