I’m a huge fan of AirPods and rely on my AirPods Pro 2 throughout my work week. However, there is one significant drawback that I consistently encounter, which revolves around switching noise modes through the Control Center. Thankfully, I’ve discovered an excellent workaround utilizing the Shortcuts app.
The Noise Mode Confusion with My AirPods
Let me describe a frequently occurring situation that you might also find familiar.
While wearing my AirPods Pro, I often find myself unsure of which noise mode I’m currently in.
This issue wasn’t as common when there were only two modes: Transparency and Noise Cancellation.
These modes were quite distinguishable. Although I admit there are times when I’m alone at home and still find myself unsure.
However, the introduction of Adaptive Audio has made it much harder for me to keep track of which noise mode I am currently using.
Additionally, there are those who utilize the “Off” mode, which adds another layer of potential confusion.
My concern is straightforward.
Most of the time, I prefer to be in noise cancelling mode.
But when I want to ensure that noise cancellation is activated, and I’m unsure of my current mode, the available solutions feel cumbersome.
Standard Noise Mode Change Options Are Insufficient
Apple provides both hardware and software methods to activate noise cancellation.
The hardware option: With the AirPods Pro 2, you can squeeze the tip of an AirPod to cycle through different noise modes.
Yet, if I’m already in noise cancelling mode without even realizing it, I often find myself making multiple attempts before confirming that noise cancellation is active.
For the software: iOS allows users to switch noise modes via Control Center or the Settings app.
Nevertheless, both options require more taps than necessary.
I suspect most individuals utilize Control Center for this purpose. However, here’s how the process unfolds:
- Access Control Center
- Long-press the volume slider
- At this point, you can determine which noise mode is active. If it’s suitable, you’re finished. If not, you then must: tap the noise mode to reveal all alternatives
- Select your desired mode
- Then tap to exit the noise mode screen
- And tap again to close Control Center
This is far more laborious than it needs to be.
Utilizing the Settings app also isn’t an appealing choice, as you might find yourself digging several levels deep into various menus, making it a hassle to reach the AirPods settings.
So, what’s the answer? A straightforward combination of the Shortcuts app and Control Center.
The Solution: Custom Control Center Buttons Powered by Shortcuts
With the Shortcuts app and iOS 18’s customizable Control Center, it’s now possible to create custom toggles that enable Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, or Adaptive Audio with a single tap.
Shortcuts can perform a variety of powerful and creative tasks. However, sometimes optimal solutions are the simplest ones.
I’ve discovered that optimal solution through a straightforward shortcut.
Using the Set Noise Control Mode option, I’ve configured a shortcut that instantly activates Active Noise Cancellation.
Then, I incorporated that shortcut into Control Center.
The Control Center allows you to set up custom controls to activate any shortcut you desire.
Now, I have a button in Control Center that promptly activates noise cancellation for my AirPods Pro.
If noise cancelling was already active, it remains so. If not, the control turns it on.
With just one tap in Control Center, it’s done.
This solution is far superior to Apple’s existing options.
Depending on your preferences, you could establish distinct shortcuts for each noise mode and assign them individual buttons in Control Center. It would resemble dedicated AirPods controls within Control Center.
For my purposes, just having one for noise cancellation suffices. And it resolves the one issue I’ve had with my AirPods.
Do you utilize the Shortcuts app to adjust your AirPods noise mode? Share your thoughts in the comments.
