iOS 18 Adds More Control Over Adaptive Audio on AirPods Pro 2 - MacRumors
Skip to Content

iOS 18 Adds More Control Over Adaptive Audio on AirPods Pro 2

Apple's second-generation AirPods Pro have an Adaptive Audio feature that includes Adaptive Noise Control, Personalized Volume, and Conversation Awareness, which are all features that adjust sound and Active Noise Cancellation in response to the environment around you.

airpods adaptive audio
Right now, Adaptive Audio is an all or nothing setting, but that's set to change in iOS 18. Apple added a "Customize Adaptive Audio" menu that lets you adjust the setting to allow for more or less noise.

When the AirPods Pro 2 with the latest beta firmware are connected to an iPhone running iOS 18, you can open up the AirPods section of the Settings app to see a new Adaptive Audio section.

Tapping into it presents a slider bar where you can adjust Adaptive Audio for Less Noise or More Noise, impacting the Adaptive Audio settings. The feature will mostly apply to Adaptive Noise Control, a feature that blends Transparency and Active Noise Cancellation. It is designed to tweak the level of noise control based on changing conditions in the environment, so being able to set it to allow for more noise or less noise will come in handy.

The setting will also impact Personalized Volume, an option that adjusts the volume of the AirPods Pro 2 based on your personal volume preferences and environmental conditions.

These settings will be widely available to AirPods Pro 2 owners when iOS 18 launches in the fall. The earbuds will also be able to be adjusted using iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia.

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro 3
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Neutral)
Related Forums: AirPods, iOS 18, iPadOS 18

Popular Stories

AirPods Pro Beta Firmware 2

Apple Releases New AirPods Firmware With iOS 27 Features

Monday September 14, 2026 11:42 am PDT by
Apple today released new firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4, and AirPods Max 2. The firmware is available for all of the above devices, and it will enable support for new iOS 27 features. The firmware has a build number of 9A348. In iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS Golden Gate, Apple is adding a new AirPods interface, a slider for Adaptive mode, and support for custom EQ....
airpods pro 3 blue

AirPods With Cameras Were Supposed to Debut Today, Now Delayed

Wednesday September 9, 2026 4:35 am PDT by
Apple planned to introduce high-end in-ear AirPods with built-in cameras for analyzing the surrounding environment at today's event, but the launch has been pushed to next year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports. In early August, Gurman said the earbuds were progressing well enough to potentially ship before the end of the year. By mid-August, though, he reported that Apple had pulled the model...
iphone 18 pro cases

Apple Debuts New Accessories for iPhone 18 Pro and AirPods Pro 3

Wednesday September 9, 2026 12:01 pm PDT by
Apple today announced a new lineup of accessories for the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and AirPods Pro 3, including a redesigned clear case with MagSafe and all-new wrist straps. The new colors span much of Apple's accessory range: TechWoven Case with MagSafe: Burgundy, Olive, Taupe, Chambray Blue, Mulberry, and Black Silicone Case with MagSafe: Magenta, Black, Navy Blue, Crisp...

Top Rated Comments

anthogag Avatar
30 months ago

Why?

I think its phenomenal that variable and automatic ambient was enabled long before announcement, even in the AirPods Pro 1, that brakes, public transit buses and even electric car reverse sounds came through even when I had ANC enabled. Its literary saved my ass while cycling on public roads about 3 times back in fall of 2022.

This is literary a life saving feature ... but I agree having the end user disable it would be nice. choice.

Probably one of THE most underrated announcements at WWDC 2024 is the simple head-tracking gesture of "no" and "yes" to deny or answer calls. It'll be JUST as hilarious to randomly see people in public not having any conversation or stoick voices nodding yes or no lol. Almost as funny as when Ericsson launched the first Bluetooth headsets and walking behind someone using one and thinking they've gone mad talking to themselves before they became publicly more common.

I recall walking 7 blocks behind some dude in a suit having the worst argument with his GF/mistress and finally at a stop sign approach him saying 'man you ok?' and him pointing to this HUGE honker of a headset. Then on the long intercity bus ride seeing him asking what headset was that, and through brief convo let me pair it with my Ericsson T28W. I was hooked on Bluetooth ever since. I think as more gifted programmers use the headtracking API we'll see more intuitive features we'd have wondered what we would've done without them over time.
If you're cycling you probably should hear all the noises. If I am walking or sitting somewhere I would cancel squealing brakes, loud diesel buses, EV low-speed beeping,...if I could. Give me a list I can check-off and AirPods Pro can target these noises.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DeepIn2U Avatar
30 months ago

There should be a list of things you can tune-out when wearing AirPods Pro. "Siri, silence stupid loud vehicles and motorbikes", "Siri, silence the barking dog", "Siri, silence the leaf blower",...
Why?

I think its phenomenal that variable and automatic ambient was enabled long before announcement, even in the AirPods Pro 1, that brakes, public transit buses and even electric car reverse sounds came through even when I had ANC enabled. Its literary saved my ass while cycling on public roads about 3 times back in fall of 2022.

This is literary a life saving feature ... but I agree having the end user disable it would be nice. choice.

Probably one of THE most underrated announcements at WWDC 2024 is the simple head-tracking gesture of "no" and "yes" to deny or answer calls. It'll be JUST as hilarious to randomly see people in public not having any conversation or stoick voices nodding yes or no lol. Almost as funny as when Ericsson launched the first Bluetooth headsets and walking behind someone using one and thinking they've gone mad talking to themselves before they became publicly more common.

I recall walking 7 blocks behind some dude in a suit having the worst argument with his GF/mistress and finally at a stop sign approach him saying 'man you ok?' and him pointing to this HUGE honker of a headset. Then on the long intercity bus ride seeing him asking what headset was that, and through brief convo let me pair it with my Ericsson T28W. I was hooked on Bluetooth ever since. I think as more gifted programmers use the headtracking API we'll see more intuitive features we'd have wondered what we would've done without them over time.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
techyOS Avatar
30 months ago

Does anyone know how to install the beta for AirPods Pro 2? There is no more "developer mode" in settings as some instructions online have pointed out to do as a step.....?
You have to plug your iPhone into a Mac with Xcode to see the Developer tab in your iPhone Settings app.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
anthogag Avatar
30 months ago
There should be a list of things you can tune-out when wearing AirPods Pro. "Siri, silence stupid loud vehicles and motorbikes", "Siri, silence the barking dog", "Siri, silence the leaf blower",...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SDJim Avatar
30 months ago
I'm actually really excited about this. Conversation Awareness sucks because it triggers anytime I start singing along, but I need to be able to at least notice if someone is calling my name from the house while doing yard work. Adaptive often seems to let in too much noise as it is, so I welcome this ability!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
30 months ago
Looks like the keyword this year was "customization" lol
Can't remember the last time so many news articles on MacRumors involved the word "customize" in one way or the other
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Prepare for Apple's New Home Hub With These HomeKit Accessory Deals
Prepare for Apple's New Home Hub With These HomeKit Accessory Deals
24 minutes ago
Tim Cook Says He's 'Not Meddling' With Apple's New CEO John Ternus
Tim Cook Says He's 'Not Meddling' With Apple's New CEO John Ternus
30 minutes ago
Tim Cook Explains Why He Stepped Down as Apple CEO Before iPhone Duo Launch
Tim Cook Explains Why He Stepped Down as Apple CEO Before iPhone Duo Launch
41 minutes ago
Apple Product Launch Announced for October 13: 'Welcome Home'
Apple Product Launch Announced for October 13: 'Welcome Home'
3 hours ago
Amazon Unveils New iPad Rivals With Alexa+ and Google Play
Amazon Unveils New iPad Rivals With Alexa+ and Google Play
4 hours ago
Missed Prime Day? You Can Still Score Big on Apple Devices Today
Missed Prime Day? You Can Still Score Big on Apple Devices Today
4 hours ago
Apple's Cheapest 16-Inch MacBook Pro Just Got a Massive $563 Discount on Amazon
Apple's Cheapest 16-Inch MacBook Pro Just Got a Massive $563 Discount on Amazon
4 hours ago
Apple Still Expected to Announce Three New Products on October 13
Apple Still Expected to Announce Three New Products on October 13
5 hours ago
Leaker Jon Prosser Pushes Back as Apple Seeks His YouTube Data
Leaker Jon Prosser Pushes Back as Apple Seeks His YouTube Data
6 hours ago
iPhone Air 2 Could Be as Thin as an Unfolded iPhone Duo
iPhone Air 2 Could Be as Thin as an Unfolded iPhone Duo
7 hours ago
New iPad Mini Rumored to Have 60Hz OLED Display Ahead of Launch
New iPad Mini Rumored to Have 60Hz OLED Display Ahead of Launch
10 hours ago
Gurman: OLED MacBook Pro Won't Be 'Significantly Thinner'
Gurman: OLED MacBook Pro Won't Be 'Significantly Thinner'
10 hours ago
Microsoft Launches $2,599 Surface Laptop Ultra to Take on MacBook Pro
Microsoft Launches $2,599 Surface Laptop Ultra to Take on MacBook Pro
18 hours ago
Google's SynthID AI Detector is Now Available to Everyone
Google's SynthID AI Detector is Now Available to Everyone
19 hours ago
ChatGPT Gets GPT-6 and New Intelligent UI With Visual Answers
ChatGPT Gets GPT-6 and New Intelligent UI With Visual Answers
20 hours ago
Get AirPods Pro 3 for $179, Apple Watch for $199, and More Before Prime Day Ends Today
Get AirPods Pro 3 for $179, Apple Watch for $199, and More Before Prime Day Ends Today
20 hours ago
Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 Score 4/10 for Repairability
Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 Score 4/10 for Repairability
21 hours ago
Apple Launches Creative Labs Program With The King's Trust
Apple Launches Creative Labs Program With The King's Trust
21 hours ago
Apple Watch Series 12, Ultra 4 Owners Report Skin Irritation
Apple Watch Series 12, Ultra 4 Owners Report Skin Irritation
1 day ago
Boston's MBTA Testing New Charlie Card With Apple Wallet Support
Boston's MBTA Testing New Charlie Card With Apple Wallet Support
1 day ago
Manchester's Bee Card Now Fully Supported in Apple Wallet
Manchester's Bee Card Now Fully Supported in Apple Wallet
1 day ago
You Can Get Up to $149 Off Every New Mac Mini During Prime Day
You Can Get Up to $149 Off Every New Mac Mini During Prime Day
1 day ago
Best Buy Takes $260 Off All iPhone Air Models During Techtober Sale
Best Buy Takes $260 Off All iPhone Air Models During Techtober Sale
1 day ago
The Best Anker Prime Day Deals: Score Big on MagSafe Chargers and More
The Best Anker Prime Day Deals: Score Big on MagSafe Chargers and More
1 day ago
12 New Things to Expect From Apple in October
12 New Things to Expect From Apple in October
1 day ago
Prime Day Offers Best TV Prices of the Year From Samsung, Sony, and More
Prime Day Offers Best TV Prices of the Year From Samsung, Sony, and More
1 day ago
First Look at LG's Smart Home Products Made With Apple
First Look at LG's Smart Home Products Made With Apple
1 day ago
Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Ultra 4 See Record Discounts During Prime Day
Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Ultra 4 See Record Discounts During Prime Day
1 day ago
Apple Drops Intel Macs From Magic Mouse/Trackpad Compatibility Lists
Apple Drops Intel Macs From Magic Mouse/Trackpad Compatibility Lists
1 day ago
Apple Reportedly Waiting on Samsung for Ultimate Bezel-Free iPhone Display
Apple Reportedly Waiting on Samsung for Ultimate Bezel-Free iPhone Display
1 day ago