Apple Disables an Original AirPods Pro Feature, But Here’s How to Restore It

If you’ve noticed a missing toggle in your AirPods Pro settings, you’re not the only one. Here’s how to restore the “Off” option for managing noise control settings in your AirPods Pro.

Traditionally, AirPods Pro enabled users to choose from four distinct listening modes.

• Off: Disables all noise control functions.
• Active Noise Cancellation: Utilizes external microphones to detect outside noise, which the AirPods Pro then counteract with anti-noise, effectively neutralizing external sounds before they reach you.
• Transparency mode: Allows external sounds to come through, enabling you to remain aware of your surroundings.
• Adaptive Audio: This mode combines Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode, adjusting the level of noise you hear based on the environmental conditions around you.

However, with the introduction of iOS 18, Apple removed the “Off” option from the primary menu. As a result, users can only select from Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, and Adaptive Audio in both the Settings app and the Control Center.

This change, noted recently by Spencer Dailey on his Key Discussions blog, has sparked frustration among AirPods Pro users.

Fortunately, there is a straightforward method to restore the “Off” option back to your AirPods Pro listening settings:

1. Connect your AirPods to your iPhone.
2. Open the Settings app.
3. Select your AirPods Pro from the list.
4. Scroll down and enable the “Off Listening Mode” option.

After completing this, the “Off” option will reappear, allowing you to toggle between it and the other noise control modes via the Control Center and the Settings app.

With the release of iOS 18.1, Apple introduced several new hearing health features for AirPods Pro 2, including a new hearing protection function. Consequently, AirPods Pro 2 users noticed a further change.

As pointed out by Dailey in his blog, even after restoring the “Off” option with the aforementioned method, AirPods Pro 2 users find that their devices automatically switch from “Off” to Transparency mode each time the earbuds are placed in their ears.

This adjustment is linked to the new hearing protection feature for AirPods Pro 2. Apple explains that enabling the “Off” mode means “your hearing is not protected.” Presumably, this is the reason iOS 18.1 routinely reverts users from “Off” to Transparency mode.

Interestingly, there is yet another toggle you can adjust to change this behavior.

1. Connect your AirPods to your iPhone.
2. Open the Settings app.
3. Go to “Accessibility.”
4. Scroll down and select “AirPods and Beats.”
5. Scroll down to find “Turn Off Loud Sound Reduction.”

By following these steps, you will be able to set your AirPods Pro to the “Off” noise control mode, and it will stay in that setting until you decide to change it. Keep in mind that with the “Off” mode enabled, your AirPods Pro will not reduce any hazardous levels of surrounding noise.

As for why one might prefer the “Off” setting for AirPods Pro noise control, that’s a personal choice. Disabling all noise control features may provide benefits in terms of battery life. However, I personally think Apple has truly excelled in blending Active Noise Cancellation with Transparency mode.

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