Archive. This is an archive of the Apple Support Community. Discussions are being restored and soon you will be able to read and post here again.
Pelicans_arent_real
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Disable Listening Mode Switching in Air Pod Pro

Air Pod Pro automatically switches between listening modes and I want to disable this feature. When I sleep with my earbuds in, they will go from listening mode “off” to either “transparency” or “noice cancellation” both of which cause feedback when my head is pressed against the pillow.


How can I disable this “feature?”

Posted on Oct 24, 2026 4:50 AM

2 replies

iOSRay_27
User level: Level 1 (108 points)

Oct 24, 2026 10:21 AM in response to Pelicans_arent_real

To stop switching between listening modes, turn off conversation awareness by connecting your AirPods Pro> settings> AirPods> audio and routing> conversation awareness and toggle it off. Then go to control centre and select a listening mode by hitting the volume button> listening mode> and select the one you want, including off which makes them act like normal earphones. To have the off option appear, go to your AirPods in settings and scroll down and toggle on “Off mode”. The listening mode will stay the same across all devices, even if you re- and disconnect them to any device, but you can change it at any time by following the same control centre steps.

I really hope this works as I have a pair of AirPods Pro and they are the best earphones I have ever used.

👍👍

Pelicans_arent_real Author
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Oct 24, 2026 2:18 PM in response to iOSRay_27

Thanks for the detailed response. I’m on iPhone 14 so maybe my iOS is different but I don’t see “conversation awareness” anywhere in my settings (either air pod pro or phone)


I see “press and hold AirPods” with options for “listening modes” and “Siri” which I guess is a good clue that when I lay down pressing my head on the pillow it has been changing my listening mode (even after I changed it to off)


I can only select either “listening mode” or “Siri” so I guess I’ll switch it to Siri and just hope that doesn’t get triggered too often but that will be better than the deafening feedback noises I am dealing with currently.


Thanks again for your response, I appreciate your help

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256382043