How to Disable Noise Cancelling: A Quick and Easy Guide

Hey, Alex here from Headphones Me. We spend a lot of time talking about the magic of Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). It’s that incredible tech that melts away the drone of a plane engine or the chatter of a busy coffee shop, leaving you with just your music. But what about when you want the world to come rushing back in? Knowing How To Disable Noise Cancelling is just as important as knowing how to turn it on. Maybe you need to hear a traffic announcement, save some precious battery life, or you just don’t like that subtle “pressure” feeling.

Whatever your reason, you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to break down exactly how to regain control of your soundscape, no matter what headphones you’re rocking. Let’s dive in.

Why Would You Want to Disable Noise Cancelling Anyway?

It sounds counterintuitive, right? You paid for this premium feature, so why turn it off? Well, as I’ve found in countless hours of testing, there are some very practical reasons.

Situational Awareness: This is the big one. If you’re walking down a busy city street, jogging in the park, or waiting for a flight announcement, being completely sealed off from your environment can be unsafe. Turning off ANC lets you stay connected to important auditory cues.
Saving Battery Life: ANC is an active process. It uses tiny microphones to listen to your surroundings and processors to create an “anti-noise” signal. This all consumes power. If you’re on a long trip and your battery is running low, disabling noise cancelling can give you that crucial extra hour or two of listening time.
Audio Purity (Sometimes): Look, modern ANC is fantastic, but the processing involved can sometimes slightly alter the sound signature of your music. Hardcore audiophiles might prefer to turn it off in a quiet room to hear their music in its most “natural” state, relying only on the headphone’s passive isolation.
Avoiding Ear Pressure: Some people are sensitive to the sensation ANC creates, often described as “cabin pressure” or a feeling of fullness in the ears. Disabling the feature completely alleviates this discomfort.
Having a Quick Conversation: You don’t always want to take your headphones off just to order a coffee or answer a quick question from a colleague.

The Universal Methods: How to Disable Noise Cancelling

While the exact steps can vary between brands, most modern headphones and earbuds give you one of three ways to control your noise cancellation settings.

The Dedicated Button: Your Easiest Bet

Many over-ear headphones, like models from Sony and Bose, feature a physical button dedicated to cycling through sound modes.

Locate the button: It’s often labeled “NC/Ambient,” “ANC,” or might have a custom icon. Check the left earcup, as that’s a common spot.
Press it: A single press usually cycles through the modes: Noise Cancelling On, Ambient Sound/Transparency Mode, and Noise Cancelling Off.
Listen for the prompt: Most headphones will provide an audio cue, like a beep or a voice saying “Noise Cancelling Off,” to confirm the change.

Tapping and Holding: The Touch Control Method

For sleeker designs, especially true wireless earbuds like the Apple AirPods Pro, manufacturers have replaced physical buttons with touch-sensitive surfaces.

Identify the touch area: This is typically the long stem on earbuds or the flat outer surface of the earbud body.
Press and hold: A long press (one to two seconds) is the standard gesture for cycling through noise control modes.
Listen for the chime or voice: Just like with a physical button, your earbuds will play a sound to let you know which mode you’ve activated.

Diving into the App: The Command Center

Nearly every major headphone brand has a companion app, and it’s your ultimate control center. This is where you can fine-tune settings beyond what a simple button press can do.

Download and connect: Make sure you have the manufacturer’s app (e.g., Sony Headphones Connect, Bose Music, Jabra Sound+) and that your headphones are paired with your phone.
Find the sound settings: On the app’s main screen, there will almost always be a section for “Ambient Sound Control,” “Noise Cancellation,” or “Sound Modes.”
Select “Off”: You’ll typically see a clear toggle or a selection of three options: Noise Cancelling, Ambient Sound, and Off. Simply tap “Off.” This is the most surefire way how to disable noise cancelling if you’re ever in doubt.

As our resident audio engineer, Johnathan Carter, often says, “The app is your best friend. It unlocks the full potential of your hardware, giving you granular control that physical buttons can’t offer. If you want to be sure ANC is off, the app is the definitive source of truth.”

Step-by-Step Guides for Popular Brands

Let’s get specific. Here’s how to do it on some of the most popular models on the market.

How to Turn Off Noise Cancellation on Apple AirPods Pro & Max

Apple makes it seamless to switch modes within its ecosystem.

On the AirPods themselves: For AirPods Pro, press and hold the force sensor on the stem of either earbud until you hear a chime. This will cycle between Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode. To get to “Off,” you’ll need to customize this in your settings.
Using your iPhone/iPad:
1. With your AirPods connected, open the Control Center.
2. Press and hold the volume slider that shows the AirPods icon.
3. At the bottom, you’ll see “Noise Control.” Tap it.
4. Select Off from the three options: Noise Cancellation, Off, and Transparency.

Disabling ANC on Sony Headphones (WH-1000XM Series)

Sony’s flagship headphones are famous for their ANC, and they give you plenty of control.

Using the physical button: On the WH-1000XM4 or XM5, there’s a button on the left earcup labeled “NC/AMB.” Press it repeatedly to cycle through Noise Cancelling, Ambient Sound, and Off.
Using the Sony Headphones Connect App:
1. Open the app.
2. On the “Status” tab, you’ll see the Ambient Sound Control card.
3. Simply tap the “Off” option. You can also customize what the physical button does from within this app.

Turning Off Noise Cancelling on Bose (QuietComfort Series)

Bose, the pioneer of commercial ANC, keeps things straightforward.

Using the Action Button: On headphones like the QuietComfort Ultra, there’s a button on the left earcup. A short press will cycle through your pre-set modes.
Using the Bose Music App:
1. Open the app and select your product.
2. On the main screen, you’ll see a “Modes” section.
3. You can either select a pre-configured mode that has ANC turned off, or you can create a new custom mode.
4. To create a custom mode, tap the “+” button, name it something like “Aware” or “ANC Off,” and then drag the “Noise Cancellation” slider all the way to the left (to “Aware”).

What Happens When You Turn Off Noise Cancelling?

So, you’ve successfully disabled ANC. What should you expect?

More outside sound: This is the obvious one. You’ll hear more of the world around you. The effectiveness of this depends on the headphone’s passive noise isolation—how well the earcups or eartips physically block sound.
Longer battery life: You can expect a noticeable boost. For example, a pair of headphones rated for 24 hours with ANC on might last over 30 hours with it off. It’s a significant difference that can be a lifesaver.
A slight change in sound: Because ANC processing is off, you might notice a very subtle shift in the audio quality. Some headphones are tuned to sound best with ANC on, while others might sound a bit more open and natural with it off. It’s a matter of personal preference.

Is It Better to Use Transparency Mode Instead?

This is a great question. Disabling ANC and using Transparency/Ambient Mode are two different things.

ANC Off: Your headphones are passive. They are simply blocking sound with their physical design.
Transparency Mode: Your headphones are actively using their external microphones to pick up the sounds around you and play them through the speakers into your ears, mixing them with your audio.

So, when should you use which?

Choose ANC Off when you’re in a relatively quiet environment and want to maximize battery life or get the most “natural” sound.
Choose Transparency Mode when you need to be highly aware of your surroundings, like when navigating traffic or having a conversation, as it actively enhances environmental sounds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Does turning off noise cancelling save battery?
A: Absolutely. Active Noise Cancellation requires constant power for its microphones and processors. Turning it off is one of the most effective ways to extend the battery life of your wireless headphones, often by several hours.

Q: Can I permanently disable noise cancelling?
A: You can’t “permanently” disable it in the sense of removing the feature, but you can set your headphones to default to “Off” mode. Many companion apps allow you to customize the startup state or the modes available through the physical button, letting you remove “Noise Cancelling On” from the cycle if you wish.

Q: Why do my ears feel weird with noise cancelling on?
A: This is a common sensation often called “eardrum suck” or “cabin pressure.” It’s caused by the low-frequency anti-noise wave that the ANC system generates. Disabling noise cancelling will immediately eliminate this feeling.

Q: Is it bad to leave noise cancelling on all the time?
A: Not at all. It’s perfectly safe to use noise cancelling for extended periods. The only considerations are situational awareness (don’t use it when you need to hear traffic) and the potential for a slightly shorter battery lifespan per charge.

Q: How do I know if my noise cancelling is on or off?
A: The easiest way is to listen. When ANC is on, low-frequency background noise (like an air conditioner or fan) will be significantly reduced. Most headphones also offer a voice prompt or a distinct chime to indicate which mode is active when you switch. When in doubt, check the companion app.

The Final Word on Control

Active Noise Cancellation is a revolutionary technology, but true mastery of your audio gear comes from knowing how and when to use its features. Learning how to disable noise cancelling gives you the flexibility to adapt to any situation, whether you’re chasing audio perfection, conserving battery, or simply staying safe on your daily commute.

So go ahead, take control. Experiment with the different modes on your headphones and find what works best for you. For more deep dives and reviews on the latest audio tech, be sure to explore our other articles right here on Headphones Me.