iOS 16.1 Beta Brings Adaptive Transparency to Original AirPods Pro

The third beta of iOS 16.1 that was released earlier this week expands the Adaptive Transparency feature introduced with the second-generation AirPods Pro to the original AirPods Pro.

adaptive transparency airpods pro
As noted on Reddit, first-generation AirPods Pro owners who also have the AirPods beta software will now see an "Adaptive Transparency" toggle in the AirPods section of the Settings app. The 5A304A beta firmware is required to see the setting.

Apple debuted Adaptive Transparency with the AirPods Pro 2. It is designed to allow the AirPods to block out loud sounds, such as sirens, construction work, or loud speakers at a concert without blocking out all noise.

The AirPods Pro 2 have an upgraded H2 chip that allows for Adaptive Transparency to work, so it is not yet clear how Adaptive Transparency with the H1 chip in the original AirPods Pro works in comparison.

(Thanks, Aaron!)

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro 3
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forums: AirPods, iOS 16

Popular Stories

Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
iphone 17 pro dark blue 1

iPhone 18 Pro Max Rumored to Deliver Next-Level Battery Life

Friday February 6, 2026 5:14 am PST by
The iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature a bigger battery for continued best-in-class battery life, according to a known Weibo leaker. Citing supply chain information, the Weibo user known as "Digital Chat Station" said that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a battery capacity of 5,100 to 5,200 mAh. Combined with the efficiency improvements of the A20 Pro chip, made with TSMC's 2nm process, the...

Top Rated Comments

Logic368 Avatar
44 months ago
Lol, apple being generous? What a warm fuzzy feeling
Score: 39 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vtuberalpha Avatar
44 months ago
Now if only Apple did this with the Photonic Engine and 4K Cinematic Mode on the 13 (Pros). Since, you know, the 14 with the same hardware makes use of it.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rushium Avatar
44 months ago
hopefully this means that AirPods Max will get adaptive transparency as well
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mdracer Avatar
44 months ago
I appreciate a little backwards capability every now and then.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannys1 Avatar
44 months ago

your not understanding a loud drilling and road works should cut the sound to normal level but its the same like wearing then and with them on with it on, it doesn't work
Thanks for writing one of the worst sentences i've ever read - also it's "you're" and it does work, it's just you.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ignatius345 Avatar
44 months ago

hopefully this means that AirPods Max will get adaptive transparency as well
Would be nice, I suppose, but definitely more crucial with AirPods Pro, which are much better "out and about" headphones. I love my AirPods Max but they're a bit much to walk around outside with...
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)