AirPods, Sony, Bose, Samsung Galaxy Buds & more — all methods explained
Learning how to turn on or off noise cancelling is easier than most people think. Whether you have AirPods, Sony WH-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort, or Samsung Galaxy Buds, the steps are simple. I have tested over 40 pairs of noise-cancelling headphones. In this guide, I will show you every method that works.
- ✓ Press the ANC button on your headphones (usually labeled ANC, NC, or a wave icon)
- ✓ Use your device's Bluetooth settings or companion app (Sony Connect, Bose Music, Galaxy Wearable)
- ✓ On iPhone: swipe to Control Center → Audio Settings → ANC mode
- ✓ Cycle through: Noise Cancelling → Transparency → Off
What Is Noise Cancelling (ANC) and How It Works
Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) uses tiny microphones to "listen" to the sounds around you. The headphones then create the opposite sound wave. This cancels out background noise before it reaches your ears. Think of it like two waves crashing into each other and flattening out.
Most modern headphones — including those covered in our best noise-cancelling headphones roundup — have three listening modes:
Microphones detect outside noise. The headphones produce an anti-noise signal to cancel it. Best for planes, trains, offices, and busy coffee shops. Uses the most battery power.
Microphones amplify outside sound and mix it with your audio. You can hear the world around you while listening to music. Great for walking, cycling, or talking to someone. Also called "Aware Mode" on some brands.
No electronic processing. You only get the passive isolation from the ear cups or ear tips. Best battery life. Good for quiet rooms or when you want a natural sound profile.
How to Turn On Noise Cancelling — Universal Methods
There are four ways to turn on noise cancelling. Most headphones support all four. Use whichever is fastest for you.
Method 1 — Using Physical Buttons
This is the fastest method. Almost every pair of ANC headphones has a dedicated button.
Look for a button labeled ANC, NC, or with a wave/shield icon. It is often on the left ear cup or near the power button.
A short press cycles through modes on most headphones. Some require a 2-second hold to activate ANC.
You will hear a chime, beep, or voice prompt like "Noise Cancelling On." Some models flash an LED green.
Method 2 — Using Touch Controls
Many modern earbuds use touch gestures instead of physical buttons. This is common on AirPods Pro and Sony WF earbuds.
It is usually the flat back of the earbud or the stem on AirPods Pro.
A long press (1-2 seconds) usually toggles the listening mode. A short press or double-tap plays or pauses audio.
You can change which modes the long-press cycles through using the companion app. For example, you can skip Transparency mode entirely.
Method 3 — Using a Companion App
Apps give you the most control. You can set custom ANC levels and choose which modes appear.
Sony Headphones Connect, Bose Music, Galaxy Wearable, Jabra Sound+, or the Beats app.
It is usually on the home screen or in Sound Settings. You will see a toggle or slider for ANC.
Select "Noise Cancelling" or drag the slider to your preferred ANC strength. Changes happen instantly.
Method 4 — Using iPhone (iOS Control Center)
If you use AirPods Pro or AirPods Max with an iPhone, iOS has a built-in shortcut.
Make sure your AirPods are connected to your iPhone via Bluetooth.
Swipe down from the top-right corner on iPhone X or later. Swipe up from the bottom on older iPhones.
A larger audio panel appears. At the bottom, tap the ear icon to switch between Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and Off.
On Android, you can access ANC through the Bluetooth settings. Long-press the headphone device name → Gear icon → Sound mode. The exact steps vary by Android version and brand.
I used to go into the app every time. Then I realized the long-press on my Sony XM6 cycles through all modes. It is so much faster. I wish someone told me this two years ago!
How to Turn Off Noise Cancelling
Turning off ANC is just as simple. You have three main options depending on what you want to do next.
Switch to "Off" Mode — Stop All Processing
Press or hold your ANC button and keep cycling until you reach the "Off" or "Normal" mode. Your headphones will confirm with a double beep or say "Normal." Battery life improves immediately because the ANC chip stops working.
Switch to Transparency Mode Instead
If you still need to hear your surroundings — like crossing a street or talking to a coworker — switch to Transparency mode instead of turning ANC off completely. You still hear your music, but you also hear the outside world clearly. Learn more about the best earbuds for transparency mode if this feature matters to you.
Turn Off via App or Device Settings
Open your companion app and toggle ANC off. Or go to your phone's Bluetooth settings, find your headphone device, tap the settings gear, and select "Normal" or "Off" under the sound mode menu.
Turning off ANC adds 5–15 hours of battery life on most flagship headphones. Always turn it off when you are in a quiet environment and do not need it.
Device-Specific Instructions
Here is exactly how to toggle ANC on the most popular headphones and earbuds in 2026.
AirPods Pro 2 & AirPods Max
- Physical: Press and hold the stem (AirPods Pro) or the Digital Crown (AirPods Max) until you hear a chime.
- iOS Control Center: Long-press volume bar → tap the ear icon at the bottom → choose ANC, Transparency, or Off.
- Settings: Settings → Bluetooth → your AirPods → tap the ⓘ icon → Noise Control.
- Siri: Say "Hey Siri, turn on noise cancellation."
- Note: AirPods 4 with ANC supports all three modes. Standard AirPods 4 does NOT have ANC. Read the full AirPods 4 review for details.
Sony WH-1000XM6, WF-1000XM6 & More
- Physical button: Press the Custom button (left ear cup on over-ears). One press = cycle modes.
- Touch sensor (over-ears): Hold your palm over the right ear cup to temporarily pause ANC and let sound in.
- Sony Headphones Connect app: Tap the ANC circle on the home screen. Drag the slider for adaptive ANC strength (1–20 steps).
- Adaptive Sound Control: The app auto-switches modes based on your activity (sitting, walking, running, transit).
- See the full guide: Sony WF-1000XM6 review for app screenshots.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra, QC45 & Earbuds
- Action button: Press the Action button on the left ear cup (headphones) or hold the earbud. Cycles: ANC → Off → Transparency.
- Bose Music app: Open the app → home screen → tap the mode icon below your headphone image → select your mode.
- Bose Immersive Audio: QC Ultra has Immersive mode. This is separate from ANC. You can have ANC on and Immersive on at the same time.
- Shortcut in app: You can set the button to skip Transparency if you never use it.
- Check out the best Bose headphones guide for model comparisons.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro & Buds 3 Pro
- Touch controls: Long-press either earbud to switch between ANC and Ambient mode. Default: 2 seconds.
- Galaxy Wearable app: Open app → Earbuds settings → Noise controls → pick Active Noise Cancelling, Ambient Sound, or Off.
- Quick Panel: On Samsung phones, pull down the notification shade. Tap the Galaxy Buds icon to cycle modes quickly.
- Adaptive ANC: Buds 4 Pro and Buds 3 Pro can auto-adjust ANC based on your environment.
- Read our full Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro review for full touch control guide.
I travel a lot for work and I always forget how to turn ANC off on different headphones. This guide saved me. I bookmarked it on my phone. The device tabs are chef's kiss — exactly what I needed.
How to Switch Between Noise Cancelling and Transparency Mode
Most headphones let you press one button to cycle through all three modes: ANC → Transparency → Off → repeat. Here is when to use each mode so you get the most out of your noise-cancelling headphones.
Engine rumble is exactly what ANC kills best. You will notice a huge difference on planes.
Hear traffic, people, and surroundings for safety. ANC outdoors is actually dangerous.
Save battery. In silence, ANC adds very little. Normal mode sounds more natural anyway.
Block out keyboard noise, AC hum, and chatter. ANC is perfect for focus work.
No need to remove your earbuds. Transparency lets you hear conversations naturally.
Stay aware of your surroundings. Use ANC only on indoor gym equipment like treadmills.
Why You Can't Turn On Noise Cancelling (Quick Fixes)
If noise cancelling is not turning on, here are the most common reasons and fast fixes.
ANC is often disabled below 10–20% battery. Charge your headphones and try again. Check our AirPods battery guide.
Not all headphones have ANC. Check the specs. Many budget earbuds under $30 are passive only.
Update your headphone firmware via the companion app. Bug fixes often restore ANC functionality.
Press the button again. You may be in "Off" or Transparency mode. Cycle through until you reach ANC.
ANC works best with a tight ear seal. Try a different ear tip size. Bad fit = poor ANC performance.
Force-quit the companion app and reopen it. Sometimes the app needs a refresh to sync with the headphones.
Try a factory reset. For AirPods: hold the case button for 15 seconds until the LED flashes amber. For Sony: hold the power button for 7+ seconds. This fixes most stubborn ANC issues.
Pro Tips for Using Noise Cancelling Effectively
After six years of testing premium headphones, here are the tips that actually make a difference.
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1Get the right ear tip size
A proper seal is the #1 factor in ANC performance. If you hear leakage, go one size up. Most earbuds come with S, M, and L tips. Try them all.
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2Use ANC for constant low sounds, not sharp noises
ANC kills steady rumbles (engines, AC units, fans) very well. It struggles with sudden noises like someone clapping or a dog barking. Adjust expectations accordingly.
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3Turn off ANC in very quiet places
In a truly silent room, some people hear a faint hiss from the ANC circuitry. Turning it off gives you cleaner, quieter sound. Save the battery too.
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4Never use ANC while cycling or running outdoors
You need to hear traffic for safety. Switch to Transparency mode so you can still hear music AND the world around you. This is serious — NHTSA reports that distracted walking and running are growing injury risks.
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5Use Adaptive ANC when available
Sony, Bose, and Samsung all offer adaptive ANC that adjusts to your environment automatically. Enable it in the app. It saves battery in quiet places and ramps up on planes without you doing anything.
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6If ANC feels like ear pressure — lower the ANC level
That "plugged" feeling is normal for new ANC users. It usually fades after 10–15 minutes. If it does not, use the app to set ANC to 70–80% strength. This reduces the pressure while still blocking most noise.
The ear tip tip literally changed my ANC experience. I was using medium tips for a year on my Bose QC Ultra Earbuds. Switched to large and suddenly the ANC felt like it doubled in strength. The seal is everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
The clearest sign is that outside sounds become muffled or disappear. Most headphones also give you an audio cue — a chime, beep, or voice prompt like "Noise Cancelling On." Some models flash a green LED. You can also check the companion app — it usually shows your current mode on the home screen with a graphic.
Yes, ANC uses extra power because it runs a constant processing loop. On most flagship headphones, ANC reduces battery life by 5 to 15 hours. For example, the Sony WH-1000XM6 claims 30 hours with ANC on and around 40+ hours with ANC off. Transparency mode also uses extra power, though slightly less than full ANC. Turning both off in quiet environments is the best way to maximize battery.
Yes — all ANC headphones let you disable it completely. Just cycle through the modes using the button or app until you reach "Off," "Normal," or "Ambient Off." In this mode, no microphones are active electronically. You only get passive isolation from the physical design of the ear cups or ear tips. This is the best mode for quiet environments and for saving battery. Learn how to choose headphones that let you customize modes easily.
ANC works by generating anti-noise sound waves. Some people perceive these waves as a slight pressure or "fullness" in the ears — similar to the feeling you get in an airplane or underwater. This is completely normal and harmless. It usually disappears after 10 to 15 minutes as your brain adjusts. If it persists or feels uncomfortable, reduce the ANC strength in your companion app to around 60–70%. Some people are simply more sensitive to ANC than others.
No, they are very different. Transparency mode uses the headphones' microphones to actively pipe in and amplify outside sounds. It can actually make ambient sound louder than if you had nothing in your ears at all. Turning ANC off (Normal mode) just deactivates all electronic processing — you get only passive sound isolation from the physical design. Transparency mode uses battery and processing power. Off mode uses almost none. See the best transparency mode earbuds if this feature is a priority for you.
Firmware updates sometimes reset your ANC settings or introduce bugs. First, try toggling ANC off and on again. If that does not work, go into the companion app and re-enable ANC manually. As a last resort, perform a factory reset. For Sony headphones: hold the power button for 7 seconds. For Bose: go to the app → Settings → Factory Reset. This clears all settings but almost always fixes post-update ANC issues. Check the manufacturer's support page for your specific model.
Yes, ANC headphones are safe on planes and actually work best there. The constant low-frequency engine hum is exactly what ANC is designed to eliminate. Airlines permit Bluetooth headphones in-flight once the plane is at cruising altitude. ANC reduces fatigue on long flights significantly. Check out the best noise-cancelling headphones for airplane travel for top-tested options.
Wrapping Up
Turning on or off noise cancelling takes just one or two steps on any device. Press the ANC button, use the companion app, or use your phone's quick controls. The key is knowing which mode to use in which situation.
Use ANC when you need to focus or block steady background noise. Use Transparency when you need situational awareness. Use Off mode when you want to save battery or when you are in a quiet place.
Moise has personally tested over 40 pairs of noise-cancelling headphones for TechOzea. He specializes in audio technology, Bluetooth audio, and helping everyday users get the most out of their devices. He has been featured in tech publications and runs deep-dive reviews on everything from budget earbuds to flagship over-ears.
