14 DAY TRIAL // If you use your AirPods Pro in transparency mode and start whistling, the device automatically enables noise cancellation. This is what a number of users discovered recently, explaining that noise cancelation is also activated in a series of other scenarios, such as driving with the windows down.
AirPods Pro come with a so-called transparency mode that allows you to listen to music while also hearing external sounds, pretty much enabling you to always be aware of your surroundings.
How it does that is rather simple at first glance but a lot more complex at further inspection. In just a few words, AirPods Pro uses a vent system and software analysis to determine how much of the outside world it needs to eliminate with the noise cancelation system. Because the purpose is to maintain your full awareness when you’re running on walking down the street, the AirPods Pro can technically achieve a balanced configuration that allows you to listen to your music without actually isolating all external noises.
Transparency mode must be enabled
But as it turns out, there are noises that can easily activate full noise cancellation when using the AirPods Pro in transparency mode.
Whistling is one of them, and one redditor speculates it’s all because the device tries to “protect your ears from loud high-pitch noises.” Others add that strong fans and driving with the car’s windows open also enable noise cancelation.
Apple explains how the noise cancellation system works on the AirPods Pro:
“With Active Noise Cancellation, an outward-facing microphone detects external sounds, which your AirPods Pro then counter with anti-noise, canceling the external sounds before you hear them. An inward-facing microphone listens inside your ear for unwanted internal sounds, which your AirPods Pro also counter with anti-noise.”
There are several ways to activate transparency mode on the AirPods Pro, but the one I think is the easiest is the dedicated Control Center shortcut on the iPhone.