Custom Transparency Mode Keeps Turning Off

I replied to this back in December with the same issue. I want to say, for the last month and half about when I installed iOS17x, the problem went away. I swear that my Macbook may have had something to do with it? Not sure but the MacOS now has additional Accessibility features from I can see.

This problem has started last year. Then after one of the updates it disappeared until the next iOS update. It started again. It lasted for 2-3 months and the new update fixed it. I was afraid to update when the new iOS showed up. I took a chance, and guess what…. It went a back to dropping. Apple support and senior advisor do not have the AirPods Pro, that’s what they said, And that’s why they do not know what you were talking about. I hope the next iOS update will fix this problem, because AirPodsPro are the best in transparency mode.

@Onager, you do not have to go through 7 steps to turn the transparency back on. You can use 3 steps, go to the control center, click the ear symbol, uncheck the transparency mode, and check again.

What is amazing is that the transparency mode drops even though there is a checkmark next to it.

@ Macitech, As far as a new Airpods Pro, I am on the sixth pair, the last two are still under warranty. Apple replaced them and no help. :o(

Same issue with transparency turning off! Very annoying! Apple fix this problem!

on the positive, Siri will turn it back on if you ask.

Transparency just shut off for the 5th time this afternoon, and my wife is ****** that I can’t hear her as I’m trying to watch the game. I’m ****** at Apple at this point, reported this two weeks ago. Just as bad as Siri now being totally useless. After having some 20 Apple products over the years, iOS 17 has been a disaster for me, other issues also.

@sgucuglu, everything you mentione din your post is hapenning to me. It started after an Update to iOS17.2 There were 2-3 versions before the last one, was working perfectly. In fact, the transparency mode was working even with iPhone 14 Pro max was off. I was so happy that I purchased a second pair. Like you mentioned the volume of Transparency mode is very low, even if it shows a check mark on the iPhone. Turning on and off goes back to normal.

I expected many more posts about this issue, but apperently not too many people are using the transparency mode as I am. Its a such a great feature, when I am shopping with my wife, I can hear her asking something and the music at the same time. I know some people are even using this mode when they are in the car. They say its much safer than to use the car radio. Because with this mode they can hear much better an upcoming emergency vehicle.

Calling tech support to find the solution did not help. And Senior advisor, did noteven have Airpods Pro himself to experiance an issue we are having.

So,lets hope that the new update will solve this problem.

Yes indeed, I also have two pairs acting as de facto hearing aids. Not, of course, actual hearing aids--those are much better at consistent amplification, are much more powerful and are tuned to me. But they're on the NHS, and don't have Bluetooth capability for my phone. AirPods Pro are terrific for use indoors, I find, and by swapping between pairs, I have continuous hearing augmentation. Truly great. So let's hope this nonsense gets fixed and we can get what we paid for. So far I see a smattering of posts on Reddit, but not much else, so this doesn't seem to be a big issue for most. Perhaps they should try it, but the controls are quite well hidden unfortunately.

Why has this issue NOT been resolved yet. I just purchased a new pair of Air Pod Pro (2) and the same thing is happening with these as my previous set of Air pods. Transparency mode just turns off and goes to "Noise Cancellation" automatically and the only way to get it back on Transparency Mode (that I know of) is to go to settings, Accessibility, Audio & Visual, Click on "Headphone Accommodations" scroll to the bottom and turn back on "Transparency Mode" under "Apply With" . . . WTH?? This is very frustrating and for the money I've spent on these headphones they should work as their designed to work. I'm running iOS V. 17.3.1, which is the latest version that I know of.

@jbartony, thanks for reporting about the transparency mode turning off, I will skip 17.3.1, because in 17.3 the transparency turning off solved the transparency turning off issue. Is there a solution to fix this, or would I have to skip the 17.3.1 and wait for the next one or even 2 more versions?

I'm experiencing exactly the same problem - It makes the Airpods Pro 2 pretty useless as hearing aids!

I've tried everything. I'm on iOS 17.4 and this update didn't fix it, in fact it seems to have made this issue more frequent.

Yes, probably worth remembering at this point that they aren't actually hearing aids. It's awesome we can use them like that, and we love it, but Apple never advertised them as hearing aids, they just happen to have this neat little accessibility feature ...

They are not hearing aids for people who lost their hearing by over 70%, but they are tremendously helping people who lost 40-50%. And that's why I purchased 2 pairs? Mine has worked perfectly since iOS 17.3. It used to drop all the time before this update. I am skeptical about updating to iOS 17.4, as I do not want this to happen again.

Regarding transparency mode not working, for me this is a life safety issue.

They are not hearing aids however transparency mode has to be active if you want to be aware of your surroundings. I’m at a disadvantage because I now have moderate hearing loss. When I remove my hearing aids to wear AirPods, I need transparency mode. In fact, they need to add another 6db of headroom, the full transparency level is not enough. They also need to integrate an active feedback filter. Their accessibility settings for assistive transparency along with shutting off issue is currently terrible. Should we reach out to the ADA if Apple is not listening?

[Edited by Moderator]

Well, I know you're not addressing your question to me, but mine are brand new, and mine keep kicking off as everyone else has explained above. I can't determine what or why is making them kick off transparency mode automatically. But it's a pain in the butt and should be fixed.