Airpods Pro Max not filtering voices in open area

Hi cdu13,

If needed, you can see how to switch between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode on your AirPods Max below:

"Switch between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode

AirPods Max let you control whether you hear your surroundings. Press the noise control button to toggle between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode. You can select which modes that the press action switches between in Settings > Bluetooth > AirPods Max > Button Cycles Between."

That information is from this article: Connect and use your AirPods Max - Apple Support

You'll also want to make sure that you are using your AirPods Max with one of the devices noted below, which is from that same article:

"What you need

You need at least one of these: 

• iPhone or iPod touch with iOS 14.3 or later
• iPad with iPadOS 14.3 or later
• Apple Watch with watchOS 7.2 or later
• Apple TV with tvOS 14.3 or later
• Mac with macOS 11.1 or later"

If you are using AirPods Pro, then this article will be more relevant: AirPods Pro and AirPods Max Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode - Apple Support The steps below also are specifically for AirPods Pro and Active Noise Cancellation not working properly:

1. "Make sure that you have the latest software on your connected iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac.
2. Put both AirPods Pro in your ears and check that Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is turned on.
3. Clean the mesh located on the top of your AirPods Pro. Sometimes Active Noise Cancellation can be affected if debris or earwax builds up in the area shown below.
4. If this happens, you might experience: 

• A loss of bass sound
• An increase in background sounds, such as street or airplane noise

1. If Active Noise Cancellation still isn't working as expected, refer to AirPods Pro Service Program for Sound Issues."

You can view those steps in this article: If Active Noise Cancellation isn't working as expected on your AirPods Pro - Apple Support

Take care!

We understand cdu13,

With your AirPods Max, they are designed to block outside noise to improve your listening experience. If noises are loud enough, however, the microphone will detect those. You're welcome to submit feedback through Feedback - AirPods - Apple.

Thanks for using Apple Support Communities!

cdu13 Said:

"Airpods Pro Max not filtering voices in open area: Hello, Just bought an Airpods Pro Max headset and when working in an open space, my colleagues' voices are not filtered out when I'm in online meetings (G Meet, Zoom, ...) [...]I'm using brand new Airpods Pro Max (received this week), with either an iPhone or a Macbook running the latest version of operating system.[...]"

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Troubleshooting AirPods Filtering:

Having just updated your computer, update the app you are connecting these with. Also, contact the developer of the app, asking them if they have any fixes for this. It may be a bug that they, themselves, are looking into. You'll find their Contact Us info link, somewhere in the Home Screen of the developer's site..