AirPods Pro, like the ears they reside in, usually come in pairs. One for the left ear, one for the right. This is the norm, and it’s what makes AirPods Pro such a popular choice. But it’s not unusual to see someone using just a single AirPod. Maybe they prefer it that way, or maybe they need to stay aware of their surroundings. Or perhaps they only have one ear. Whatever the reason, there’s no judgment here. If you want to wear a single AirPod, go for it.
However, if you’re using a single AirPod Pro and want to activate active noise cancellation (ANC), it’s turned off by default and doesn’t activate with the usual stem squeeze.
Turning on ANC for a single AirPod Pro earbud is intentional. But if you want one ear open while the other enjoys noise cancellation, here’s how to do it:
1.
Turn on your AirPods Pro:
This can be done by opening the case or by inserting at least one earbud into your ear.2.
Open the Settings Menu:
On your iPhone or iPad, go to the Settings app.3.
Select your AirPods Pro:
Navigate to the Bluetooth section and tap on your AirPods Pro.4.
Scroll to the ‘About’ Section:
Keep scrolling down until you reach the ‘About’ section.5.
Toggle the ‘Active Noise Cancellation’ Setting:
Look for the ‘Active Noise Cancellation’ option and toggle it on.That’s it! You’ll now have one ear with active noise cancellation while the other ear is free to take in the world.
There’s likely a good reason this is turned off by default – it can feel a bit unusual. But having the option is better than not having it, so feel free to turn it on if you want.