Can I control noise Cancelling of AirPods on Android?

Apple’s AirPods are wireless earbuds that allow you to listen to audio and make calls completely cord-free. One of the standout features of AirPods Pro and AirPods Max models is active noise cancellation (ANC), which uses microphones to monitor ambient noise and generate anti-noise to cancel it out.

This technology creates a “silence bubble” around the listener, blocking out external noise like traffic, airplane engines, and crowd chatter. It enhances audio quality and reduces distractions, allowing you to immerse yourself in music or calls.

AirPods utilize both feed-forward and feed-backward microphones to sample environmental noise. Advanced software in the AirPods’ H1 chip analyses this input 200 times per second and creates an equivalent anti-noise signal to cancel it out (1). This enables AirPods to adapt to changes in noise in real-time.

While AirPods work seamlessly with Apple devices, many Android users wonder if they can take advantage of noise cancellation features when paired to their phones. This article will explore using ANC with AirPods on Android.

How Noise Cancelling Works on AirPods

AirPods use active noise cancellation technology to block out external noise. This works through microphones that detect external sounds in your environment. As explained on Apple’s support page, “An outward-facing microphone or microphones detect external sounds, which your AirPods Pro (1st or 2nd generation) then counter with anti-noise, canceling the external noise before you hear it” (Apple).

Specifically, the AirPods have internal and external microphones. The external mics pick up the sounds around you. The AirPods then analyze the audio and generate an inverted sound wave to cancel out the ambient noise (Krisp). This creates a noise cancellation effect, blocking external sounds from reaching your ears so you only hear the audio playing from the AirPods.

In summary, active noise cancellation uses anti-noise, generated from microphones detecting external sounds, to block those sounds before they reach your ears.

Using AirPods with Android Devices

AirPods connect wirelessly using Bluetooth technology, so they can be paired with Android smartphones and tablets. The pairing process is quick and straightforward. Simply enable Bluetooth on your Android device, open the AirPods case close to the phone, and tap “Connect” when the AirPods appear in the list of available devices.

Once paired, the AirPods will automatically connect to that Android device whenever you open the case while Bluetooth is enabled. You can pair AirPods with multiple devices, both Android and iOS, and easily switch between them.

AirPods are designed to work optimally with iOS, but have strong compatibility with Android thanks to the universal Bluetooth protocol. The auto-pause when removing an AirPod, customizable double tap controls, battery status, and other key features work on Android. However, some convenient integration like automatic headset switching is only available between Apple devices.

Compatibility can vary slightly depending on the Android model. AirPods are fully supported on recent flagship Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones as well as most devices running Android 5.0 or later. Some microphone, battery, and touch control features may have limited functionality on older or less common Android versions.

Sources:
https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/do-airpods-work-with-android/

Accessing Basic Controls

While AirPods lack native integration with Android like they have on iOS, you can still access basic playback controls when paired with an Android device. This includes play/pause, skipping tracks, and invoking voice assistants.

To play or pause audio, press either AirPod stem once. Double pressing will skip to the next track, while triple pressing skips back to the previous track [1]. You can’t adjust volume directly from the AirPods when using Android – you’ll need to use your phone’s volume buttons for that.

Press and hold an AirPod stem to activate Google Assistant or whichever voice assistant you have set on your Android phone. This allows you to use voice commands like “Ok Google, play some music” without needing to touch your phone.

While basic controls are accessible, keep in mind that AirPods work best with iOS devices where they have deeper integration. On Android you won’t get access to more advanced features like noise cancellation controls, customizable gestures, or “Hey Siri” activation.

Toggling Active Noise Cancellation

The key to turning noise cancellation on and off on AirPods when connected to an Android device is using the force sensor on the stem of each AirPod. This allows you to toggle between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode.

To turn on Active Noise Cancellation:

1. Ensure your AirPods Pro are connected to your Android device via Bluetooth.
2. Put on your AirPods Pro.
3. Press and hold the force sensor on either stem until you hear a chime (about 2 seconds). This will toggle noise cancellation on.

You’ll hear a sound that confirms Active Noise Cancellation is now turned on. To turn it back off again and enable Transparency Mode:

1. Press and hold the force sensor again until you hear the confirmation chime.

Toggling between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode by pressing the force sensor allows you to enable or disable noise cancellation at any time without needing access to iPhone controls or third party apps.

Using Transparency Mode

Transparency mode allows external sound into the AirPods while listening. This can be useful for hearing announcements or having conversations without needing to remove the AirPods. According to one Reddit user, transparency mode “technically push[es] the background sound into the user’s ears” (https://www.quora.com/How-do-I-know-if-my-AirPods-Pro-is-in-transparency-mode-on-Android).

On iPhone, transparency mode is activated by pressing and holding the force sensor on the AirPods stem. However, this control is not available on Android. Instead, transparency mode needs to be toggled on/off via the device’s Bluetooth settings or a third party app.

To turn on transparency mode on Android:

1. Open the Bluetooth settings on your Android device.
2. Select the AirPods from the list of paired devices.
3. Look for the “Transparency mode” option and toggle it on.

A chime will sound in the AirPods to confirm when transparency mode is activated. Note that the ability to control transparency mode depends on your Android device model and version.

Adjusting Noise Cancellation Levels

While you can only toggle noise cancellation fully on or off on Android, AirPods Pro do allow you to adjust the intensity of active noise cancellation when used with an iPhone or iPad. This allows you to customize the strength of noise blocking to suit your environment and preferences.

To adjust noise cancellation levels on AirPods Pro, open the Settings app on your iOS device while the AirPods are connected. Go to Bluetooth and select the “i” icon next to your AirPods. Here you’ll find a “Noise Cancellation” option with a slider that allows you to tweak the intensity from low to high.

Unfortunately this granular control over noise cancellation levels is not available when using AirPods Pro with Android. You can only turn active noise cancellation fully on or off by pressing and holding the stem. However, the default ANC intensity on AirPods Pro is already quite strong for most situations.

If you need more or less noise blocking while using AirPods Pro with an Android device, your only options are to turn ANC on or off completely. Consider toggling between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency modes depending on your environment and needs.

Using Third-Party Apps

While the basic controls on AirPods allow you to turn noise cancellation on or off, there are some third-party apps that provide more customization options for Android users.

Apps like Krisp use AI to provide adjustable noise reduction and cancellation. You can fine-tune the level of background noise removal. Krisp offers a free version for individual use.

Another option is AirBattery, which gives you control over each AirPod’s settings separately. This allows you to enable noise cancellation in just one AirPod if desired. The app also shows battery levels.

While AirPods work well with just the basic controls, third-party apps like these give Android users more customization options and can enhance the noise cancellation experience.

Tips for Getting the Best Experience

Here are some pro tips for Android users to get the most out of their AirPods:

Enable touch controls in your Bluetooth settings to control playback and switch between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency modes (source). You can customize the touch controls in the Bluetooth settings on your Android device.

Check that Find My is enabled for your AirPods in the Find My app on iOS. This allows you to locate lost AirPods even when using with an Android device (source).

Install a third-party app like Assistant Trigger to access always-on Siri functionality on Android. This unlocks voice commands, announcements, and other features (source).

Try limiting background app refresh and notifications to maximize battery life when using AirPods with an Android phone.

Use AirBattery app for Android to monitor AirPods battery levels directly on your Android device.

Summary

In summary, while you can’t access the full range of noise cancelling controls through Android, there are still some options to manage noise cancellation on AirPods when paired to an Android device:

• You can toggle between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode by pressing and holding the force sensor on the AirPods Pro stem. This allows you to block out noise or let it in.
• Some third-party apps like AirBattery exist which give you more control over noise cancellation levels and modes.
• Using an AirPods case that supports wireless charging can allow noise cancelling to be controlled through the case instead of the earbuds.
• Updating to the latest firmware and finding a good ear tip fit helps ensure noise cancelling works optimally.

While not as full-featured as on iOS, Android users can still take advantage of noise cancelling capabilities to improve their audio experience with AirPods.