AirPods Pro 2 transparency mode woes persist for some in latest firmware

Apple recently released a new firmware update, version 7A294, for the AirPods Pro 2, boasting some impressive features like hands-free nodding and shaking gestures to interact with Siri, Voice Isolation for clearer calls, and even improved audio latency for gamers. It sounded like a dream update, but for some users, it quickly turned into a nightmare.

Soon after installing the update, AirPods Pro 2 owners started flooding forums and social media with complaints about transparency mode acting up, particularly for those who rely on it as an everyday feature. Transparency mode, which allows users to hear ambient sounds while listening to music, now seems to have lost its magic touch.

The 7A294 update was meant to enhance the AirPods Pro 2 experience by making Siri more responsive, reducing background noise during calls, and delivering top-notch audio quality for gamers. But instead, the update introduced a bug that’s driving some users up the wall: transparency mode no longer works as it should. For some, the sound feels muted or nonexistent, while others experience random disconnections or abrupt switches between modes.

In response, Apple rolled out a quick follow-up update — version 7A302 — promising “bug fixes and other improvements.” While some AirPods Pro 2 users reported that this update seemed to resolve the transparency mode issues, others still find themselves stuck in the same glitchy loop. The inconsistency has left users feeling frustrated, particularly those who rely on their AirPods Pro 2 as hearing assistance devices.

Common reports include transparency mode switching off unexpectedly, acting muted, or feeling unbalanced between the left and right ear. Noise cancellation, once a strong point of the AirPods Pro 2, seems to have lost its edge too, with many complaining that ANC isn’t as effective as it once was. Users who frequently wear their AirPods under motorcycle helmets have particularly noticed these changes, with some speculating that vibrations or sudden noise could be throwing the earbuds off balance.

For those who set up custom audio profiles with audiograms, the update seems to have caused even more trouble. Some users reported that transparency mode only works when switching to pre-set audio profiles like “balanced tone” or “vocal brightness” instead of their custom settings. In other cases, transparency mode appears to switch off on its own, requiring users to dive back into settings to turn it back on.

Until Apple drops another update, there are a few workarounds that might help you keep your AirPods Pro 2 functioning better:

1. Switch audio profiles: Some users found success by switching from their custom audiogram settings to standard audio profiles like “balanced tone” or “vocal brightness.” This can be done in the Accessibility settings under “Headphone Accommodations.”

2. Turn off Loud Sound Reduction: The recent iOS 18 update appears to have enabled Loud Sound Reduction by default, which can interfere with transparency mode. Turning this off in the AirPods Pro settings menu when your AirPods are connected to your iPhone might restore normal transparency performance.

3. Reset your AirPods: Performing a factory reset and re-pairing the AirPods with your device has helped some users, although this method is not foolproof and may not resolve the issue permanently.

4. Toggling transparency mode: Some have found that switching between Adaptive Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode can temporarily fix the fading problem. It’s not ideal, but it might give you a bit of relief until Apple rolls out another patch. Alternatively, you may as well completely switch off transparency mode until a permanent fix rolls out.

It’s clear that Apple still has some work to do to address these transparency mode issues, and a permanent fix will hopefully arrive in a future firmware update. In the meantime, if your AirPods Pro 2 have turned from a must-have gadget to an expensive frustration, you’re not alone — and there are a few tricks that might help you get the most out of them until Apple irons things out.