Apple unveiled the AirPods Pro 2nd-generation during the September 7 iPhone 14 event. The new wireless earphones come with a familiar design, but Apple upgraded them in almost every way. One of the AirPods Pro 2’s new features is Adaptive Transparency, and it looks like it’s the kind of upgrade that Apple will make available to the first-gen AirPods Pro via the iOS 16.1 update. Here are the details…

Adaptive Transparency will be in use with the original AirPods Pro

Apple explained the Adaptive Transparency mode during the AirPods Pro 2 segment of the iPhone 14 event. The feature lets the earphones intelligently block out certain sounds that exceed audio levels. Adaptive Transparency is a feature made possible by the AirPods Pro’s active noise cancellation (ANC) feature.

The first and second AirPods Pro models support ANC, and the user can switch between noise cancellation and transparency. With Adaptive Transparency enabled on the AirPods Pro 2nd-generation, users will benefit from noise cancellation when experiencing loud sounds around them. The earphones will reduce the loudness once the AirPods detect the sounds.

How to enable Adaptive Transparency on 1st gen AirPods Pro?

For example, you might be walking on the street with transparency mode enabled. That way, you can hear the sounds nearby while playing audio on the second gen Pro. A nearby siren or loud construction work would temporarily trigger the noise cancellation feature on the first gen pro via Adaptive Transparency.

The feature will ensure that your ears are not exposed to loud noises that can be harmful. iOS already measures the loudness of your earphones to help you correct your listening experience. Just head to the Health, Browse, and then Hearing to check your audio levels.

The Adaptive Transparency feature could help you correct exposure to loud nearby noises. And the good news is that the first-gen AirPods Pro will also support the feature after the iOS 16.1 update. Redditors who installed iOS 16.1 beta 3 discovered the new Adaptive Transparency mode on their handsets.

Once you install iOS 16.1 (beta 3 or later), put on your original AirPods Pro, head to the Settings app, and look for the AirPods menu. In there, you will have to enable Adaptive Transparency. Finally, you might want to learn additional AirPods Pro tips and tricks to make the most of your earphones.