Airpods Pro 2 noise cancellation worse after firmware update 7A294

The active noise cancellation on (at least) the AirPods Pro 2 is much worse after firmware update 7A294, including 7A302. The noise cancellation effect seems noticeably weaker now, roughly 50-70% as effective. Qualitatively, the effect is now closer to a slightly quieter adaptive mode. Essentially, I can now practically hear everything at a reduced volume, and my Sony 1000XM5 headphones now perform much better than my AirPods Pro 2, and this wasn't the case until the firmware/iOS 18 update.


Troubleshooting steps I've tried:


  • Cleaning the AirPods and tips (gentle surfactant/alcohol wipes, Blu-Tack), although they were already clean
  • Replacing the tips (they were already pristine)
  • Changing tips and ensuring proper fit
  • Resetting the AirPods
  • Toggling all settings on and off (Off, Transparency, Adaptive, Noise Cancellation)
  • Ensuring I hadn't accidentally selected something other than the noise cancellation mode
  • Having the AirPods replaced at the Apple Store


None of the above remedied the issue.


Some examples and context:


  • I can now fully make out conversations on the train in Tokyo, which I wasn't able to do that up until a day or two ago. To wit, train announcers are now less distant and audible. I can now hear people conversing on the other side of the carriage, and at one point, I was able to make out the music leaking out of someone else’s headphones...
  • I can now make out talking heads playing at low volume on a TV in another room.
  • I can now make out external sounds when ANC and Background Sounds (Dark Noise) are active at the same time, and up until the most recent update this combination was closer to being fully isolated.
  • Background music in convenience stores is now fully present, where as prior to the update I couldn't hear a thing.
  • I now no longer bother swapping to Transparency when my girlfriend is trying to talk to me across the room, because I can hear everything she has to say while noise cancellation mode is active. In the past, having to toggle between settings was a source of annoyance for us.


The situation is particularly disappointing, as I once adored these headphones, and the degradation of the noise cancellation effect makes the AirPods Pro 2 essentially more annoying than anything else.

iPhone 15 Pro

Posted on Sep 25, 2024 4:53 AM

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214 replies

Mar 30, 2025 7:48 AM in response to Pheidl

I’m curious as to why Apple will not address this issue. Likely because this was intentional on their end. Maybe because they want people to buy the AirPods 4 when they come out. Whatever the reason, it is unacceptable and I think this is the end of my relationship with Apple. I’ve been an Apple user since the first iPhone came out. I loved my AirPods Pro 2. The noise cancellation was incredible. Now I can hear a pin drop. Apple even replaced my AirPods and the new ones have the same issue. I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but me thinks it’s time to switch to Sony.

Apr 8, 2025 10:39 AM in response to Pheidl

I just bought these, and the Active Noise Cancellation feature is worse than any Apple earbud I've ever purchased: airpods pro, airpods pro 2, and Beats Fit Pro. They cost a hundred dollars more than the rest and they're objectively the worst. The ANC is so weak, it may as well not even exist. If this isa bug, it had better be fixed ASAP, or they're being returned.

May 4, 2025 6:12 AM in response to Pheidl

Same here. When I got my Airpods Pro 2 ten months ago, the ANC was darn near perfect. Really had to listen close to hear outside noise. Subsequently, I got used to using transparency so I could hear my surroundings, and just recently tried ANC again to mow the lawn. Imagine my surprise when it didn't seem to be working, even after following all the suggested troubleshooting steps to make sure I was using it properly. After some more trying, I have discovered that it does work ever so slightly, but there is hardly any difference between ANC and Transparency. What the heck is up with that Apple?


After searching, and reading a ton of complaints about this, it is very apparent that this is a widespread problem and I'm not just an isolated case. Please fix this Apple! Good ANC is needed when in a crowded room, mowing the lawn, or anywhere that the ambient noise is loud. We paid a lot for our Airpods with good ANC Apple. FIX IT! There are other less expensive earbuds out there that have ANC that actually works. I love my Airpods, but this is really annoying and uncalled for.


I've been with Apple since 1993. I expect better, and sure as heck miss Steve Jobs, when quality and ease of use was the bottom line....not the $$$.

Jun 19, 2025 6:40 AM in response to Pheidl

It’s so frustrating that it seems they’ll never give us a proper update. At this point, at least in my case, transparency is more effective than noise cancelling at noise cancelling. You can’t even go into the headphone settings and edit transparency mode in itself because you’re forced to change the range of sound in order to even access the settings. I’m very noise sensitive and thought airpods would be lovely to focus with, but the modes have gotten so miserable. The gradual downgrade in all apple products after purchase has made it near impossible to respect this company. I’m just so tired of fighting my devices ;-;

Aug 11, 2025 7:12 PM in response to Pheidl

My post have been getting removed and there is nothing in there other than the truth of what I dealt with. Amongst the screen dimming issue as well.

chatgpt helped me compose a post and we set up a link telling it.

apologize…. If this comes off as extreme. I’m just so fed up with the covering up of their degradation in quality. They have to be always struggling to catch up on technology. I say that because Samsungs next phone will have ChatGPT baked in. Apple??? Not for a couple years. And the rub??? Paying an extreme $ premium for the product.

(I spat as I type on the pos)

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Airpods Pro 2 noise cancellation worse after firmware update 7A294

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