How to Turn on Noise Cancellation for Just One AirPod. The AirPods Pro and AirPods 2 feature Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which is designed to adapt to the shape of your ear and block out the outside world so you can focus on what you’re listening to. When both AirPods are in your ears, the feature fully realizes its design aims, but there may be occasions when you only want noise cancellation in one ear and not the other.
Perhaps you sleep on your side and like to wear a single AirPod when you’re resting in bed, with your other ear pressed into the pillow. With noise cancellation still active in the AirPods, you’re less likely to be disturbed by external noise while you drift off to sleep.
How to Turn on Noise Cancellation for Just One AirPod
It could be your hearing isn’t as good in one ear, and you want the benefit of ANC on only the side of your head to block out ambient sounds so that you can better make out what you’re listening to.
Well, the steps below will show you how to allow AirPods to be put into noise cancellation mode when only one AirPod is in your ear.
- When the AirPods Pro is connected, open the settings app on your iPhone.
- Click the AirPods Pro button just under your Apple ID banner.
- Scroll downward, then click Accessibility.
- Scroll downward, then below “Noise Control,” toggle on the switch next to Noise Cancellation with One AirPods.
That is all you need to do to turn on noise cancellation for just one AirPod. Then you can now press and hold the force sensor on the AirPods to switch between Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, and off.
Commonly Asked Questions
Why does noise cancellation not work with one AirPod?
Noise cancellation won’t work on AirPods Pro when using just one AirPod. You need to have both (left and right) earbuds in your ears to activate noise cancellation. If you want to use noise cancellation with one AirPod, enable the feature in your iPhone or iPad’s settings menu.
How do I turn on a single AirPod?
To use just one AirPod, simply place an earpiece in one ear and leave the other AirPods in the charging case. You can switch them just as easily—the W1 chip in the earphones will detect which one is in use and automatically pair it with your iPhone.
Why do AirPods pick up so much background noise?
On top of that, AirPods’ mics have a software flaw. They sometimes confuse voice sounds with ambient noise and reduce them. This is why some people experience amplified background noises and reduced voice sounds.
