Apple‘s AirPods Pro have been lauded for their active noise cancellation (ANC). They do a fine job of blocking outside noise even when you aren’t listening to music or a podcast. But what if you only need one ear unplugged for situational awareness? There is a feature available to do exactly that.
Quite often you want to block the outside chatter and noise and ANC is a godsend for that.If you are in a metro train or even a flight, you just don’t want to hear unnecessary noise. While there’s always the option of toggling between ANC and transparency mode , there’s a better solution. With a simple tweak, you can now enjoy the sweet, sweet silence of ANC on just one AirPod Pro, leaving the other open to the world.
How to use ANC on one AirPod
Follow these simple steps to activate this feature

That’s all. Now, whenever you need one-eared peace, simply press and hold the force sensor on the AirPod you want silenced. A quick tap cycles between ANC, transparency, and off, just like usual.
This hidden feature is a boon for those who appreciate situational awareness while enjoying their music or podcasts. Whether you’re navigating a bustling city street, keeping an ear on your kids, or simply enjoying the outdoors, one-AirPod ANC lets you stay connected and focused without sacrificing audio quality.
But here’s a caveat: this feature is exclusive to AirPods Pro. Still, it is a welcome change for anyone who uses their AirPods Pro for calls, walks, or even just a quiet moment in a noisy environment. It allows you to maintain situational awareness while still enjoying the experience of noise cancellation.