How to turn off noise cancelling and transparency on AirPods Pro Android?

The AirPods Pro are Apple’s premium wireless earbuds that feature active noise cancellation and transparency mode. Noise cancellation uses microphones to cancel out ambient noise, while transparency mode allows you to hear your surroundings while listening to audio. These features work seamlessly when using AirPods Pro with iPhone, but aren’t as easily accessible when paired to Android devices.

Since AirPods Pro don’t have native Android support, you can’t easily toggle noise controls directly from your Android phone. However, with a few extra steps you can still take advantage of noise cancelling and transparency mode. In this guide, we’ll go over how to pair your AirPods Pro, install a companion app, use shortcuts, and troubleshoot issues.

By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to successfully switch between noise cancelling and transparency mode on your AirPods Pro while using them with Android.

Check Firmware Version

It’s important to make sure your AirPods Pro are running the latest firmware version. Firmware updates add new features and fix bugs. According to Apple Support, recent firmware updates for AirPods Pro enabled new capabilities for second generation models.

To check the firmware version on iOS, open the Settings app and go to General > About > AirPods Pro > Firmware Version. If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it.

You’ll need to keep your AirPods Pro in range of your paired iPhone and connected to a WiFi network during the update process. The update will install automatically once downloaded. Checking for firmware updates and updating periodically can help ensure optimal performance.

Pair AirPods Pro with Android

To pair your AirPods Pro with an Android device, you first need to put the AirPods in pairing mode:

Open the lid on the AirPods case while the AirPods are inside and hold it next to your Android device.
Press and hold the button on the back of the AirPods case. The status light should start flashing white.

On your Android device, open the Settings app and go to Bluetooth.
Make sure Bluetooth is turned on. You should see your AirPods Pro show up in the list of available devices.
Tap on your AirPods Pro to pair them with your Android device.

Once paired, your AirPods Pro and Android device should connect automatically whenever the AirPods are taken out of the case and in range. You only need to pair them the first time.

Install Assistant App

Without a dedicated assistant app, the functionality of AirPods Pro on Android is limited. You won’t be able to access certain iOS-exclusive features like noise cancellation toggles and transparency mode. I recommend downloading one of the top-rated assistant apps to unlock the full potential of your AirPods Pro.

Some of the best options include Assistant Trigger, MaterialPods, and AirBattery. These apps allow you to view battery levels, toggle Active Noise Cancellation and transparency mode, customize tap controls, find your lost AirPods, and trigger voice assistants with a squeeze of the stems.

I recommend Assistant Trigger as the best all-around app. It’s free, frequently updated, and has a simple and intuitive interface. The app makes your AirPods Pro work seamlessly on Android like they do on iOS. Download from the Google Play Store to unlock noise cancellation controls, view battery status, and customize touch options.

Connect AirPods Through App

To connect your AirPods Pro to your Android device, you’ll need to download the AirPods Assistant app from the Google Play Store. This third party app provides extended controls and features for AirPods when used with Android devices.

Once you have the app installed, open it and tap “Connect”. The app will search for available AirPods Pro. When your AirPods Pro show up in the list, simply tap to connect them to your Android device.

The first time you connect, the app will ask for various permissions like Bluetooth access, location, and notifications. Make sure to allow all requested permissions so the app can fully communicate with your AirPods Pro.¹

Once connected, you’ll be able to see the battery status of each AirPod and the charging case. You can also quickly toggle noise control modes directly from the app.

Toggle Noise Controls

You can easily toggle noise cancelling and transparency modes on or off from inside the Assistant app on your Android device.

To locate the noise controls, open the Assistant app and connect your AirPods Pro. Tap on the image of the AirPods at the top of the screen. You will see options for Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode. Tap the toggle button next to each option to turn it on or off.

Turning off both Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode will put your AirPods Pro into normal listening mode without any active noise controls. You can experiment with the different modes to find the best setting for your current environment.

If you are having trouble finding the noise controls in the Assistant app, make sure your AirPods firmware is up to date and the app is the latest version.

Use Device Shortcuts

You can set up shortcuts on your Android device to quickly toggle noise control modes on your AirPods Pro. Here’s how:

Open the Shortcuts app on your Android device. Create a new shortcut and add an action to toggle between Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode. You can name the shortcuts anything you want, like “Turn on Noise Cancellation” and “Turn on Transparency Mode”.

To toggle between the two modes using shortcuts, first make sure your AirPods Pro are connected. Then simply tap the shortcut you want to activate. The AirPods Pro should switch between Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode.

This allows you to quickly change modes without having to go into Bluetooth settings or use an Assistant app every time. Custom shortcuts are a convenient way to control your AirPods Pro’s noise controls on Android.

Check Status

Once you have toggled the noise controls, it’s important to confirm they are working properly. Here are two ways to check the status:

Confirm modes turned off in app
Open the Assistant app and go to the noise control settings. Verify that both Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode are switched off. The app should show “Off” for both.

Test audio quality without ANC or transparency.

Play some audio and listen closely. Without any noise cancelling or transparency enabled, the sound should be natural without any muffling or amplification of external sounds. Test in a quiet area as well as a noisy environment to check that outside sounds are not blocked or enhanced at all.

If you still hear noise cancellation or transparency effects, revisit the steps to toggle them off and check the app settings again. With both modes disabled, the AirPods Pro will provide a normal listening experience.

Troubleshooting

If you’re having issues with the noise controls not working properly or being unable to switch between modes, there are a few troubleshooting steps to try.

First, check if your AirPods Pro firmware is up to date. Sometimes bugs are fixed in firmware updates that could resolve problems you experience. Update the firmware by connecting your AirPods to the charging case with a device like an iPhone or Mac nearby. The firmware will update automatically if available (https://www.headphonesty.com/2022/06/airpods-not-connecting-to-android/).

If the noise controls still don’t work after updating firmware, try re-pairing your AirPods to the Android device:

On your Android device, open the Bluetooth settings and select “Forget This Device” next to your AirPods

On your AirPods, press and hold the button on the back until the status light flashes white
On your Android device, go back to the Bluetooth menu and select your AirPods to re-pair them

Re-pairing will re-establish the connection and sometimes can resolve intermittent problems.

You can also try resetting your AirPods by placing them in the charging case, pressing and holding the button on the charging case for 10+ seconds until the status light flashes. This will erase all paired devices, so you’ll need to re-pair the AirPods again afterwards.

Conclusion

This guide walked through how to turn off noise cancellation and transparency mode on AirPods Pro when connected to an Android phone or device. Whether you want to save battery life, focus on conversations, or simply prefer a natural sound, disabling the active noise controls can improve your listening experience.

We covered critical steps like installing compatible apps, pairing your AirPods, and toggling settings either in-app or using on-device shortcuts. Now you should have full control to enable or disable noise cancellation or transparency mode as needed.

Key benefits of turning these features off include improved audio quality in loud environments, reduced strain on battery charge, and amplified external sounds so you remain aware of your surroundings. Just remember noise cancellation can still block noises even when powered off.

For additional assistance with customizing and managing your AirPods Pro on Android, consult the device user guide or visit official Apple Support communities online. With some adjustments, you can craft an optimal wireless listening experience.