How to turn on noise cancellation on Xiaomi Air 2S: 3 working methods + problem solving

Xiaomi Air 2S — one of the most popular TWS-headphones (ANC) But many users have difficulty setting up this feature first: where to look for it, why it doesn't work, and how to tell the real thing. ANC In this article, we'll look at all the ways to enable noise reduction on Air. 2S, nuances of the function and typical errors, because of which users think that their headphones “cannot” suppress noise.

It's important to understand that the active noise cancellation in the Xiaomi Air 2S works differently than in premium models like the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort. It uses a hybrid system with two microphones on each earphone, but the effectiveness depends on the correct setup, the density of the ears and even the firmware version. If you have tried to turn on the ANC, but the result was disappointing, do not rush to blame the manufacturer. Chances are, you missed one of the key steps.

We tested every possible scenario and put together a checklist for 100% of the work, and if your headphones stubbornly refuse to suppress the noise, there's a section at the end of this article on diagnosing malfunctions and how to fix them.

1. Headphone Preparation: What to Do Before Turning On ANC

Before you look for the noise reduction button, make sure your Xiaomi Air 2S is ready to go. Skipping these steps is the main reason why users can't activate the feature.

Critical conditions for the operation of the ANC:

• 🔋 Battery charge at least 20 percent. When it's low, the headphones automatically shut down power-intensive functions, including noise cancellation.
• 📱 Compatible device. ANC It only works with Android 6.0 phones.+ iOS 10+. On older versions, the function may not be on the menu.
• 🎧 Make sure the earbuds fit tightly into the ear canal, even a microgap reduces the effectiveness of the ear canal. ANC on 40-50%.
• 🔄 Up-to-date firmware. Early Air software. 2S Noise reduction was unstable. Update solves 80 percent of the problems.

If you've just unpacked your headphones, first do the factory reset.

1. Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the case for 10 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red.
3. Open the lid and wait 30 seconds - the headphones will reboot.

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After reset, don’t connect your headphones to your phone right away. First, install the Mi Home app (even if you have an iPhone) – this ensures that the ANC works correctly.

Method 1: Enabling noise reduction through the Mi Home app

Xiaomi’s official method is to use the Mi Home app, where all ANC settings are available, including noise suppression.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Mi Home from Google Play or App Store.
2. Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account (required! You can't set up without an ANC account).
3. Connect your headphones to your phone via Bluetooth (if not already connected).
4. Open Mi Home, press + → Add Device → Headphones and select Xiaomi Air 2S.
5. After connecting, go to the device Settings → Sound mode.
6. Activate the Active Noise Canceling (ANC) switch.

In the same menu, 3 ANC modes are available:

• 🌿 Weak – suitable for office or quiet spaces (suppresses low-frequency noise such as air conditioning).
• 🏙️ Medium – optimal for the street (smooths the sounds of transport and voices).
• 🚇 Strong – maximum suppression for subways and planes (can create the effect of “pressure” on the ears).

Headphones connected to Mi Home| Xiaomi account authorized | Selected ANC mode (not off) | Charge level >20% | Headphone firmware updated-->

Important: If there is no Active Noise Canceling item in the Mi Home, your headphones are not original or require flashing. The original Air 2S always have this option on the menu.

Method 2: Control of noise cancellation through sensory gestures

Xiaomi Air 2S supports ANC gesture control right on the headphone case. This is convenient when you don’t have time to open the application.

How to turn on/off the ANC by touching:

1. Put on your headphones and make sure they are connected to the phone.
2. Touch and hold the touchpad on any headphone for 2 seconds.
3. You will hear a voice signal: “Noise suppression is on” or “Noise suppression is off”.

How to switch ANC modes:

• 🔄 Double touch on the right earpiece cyclically switches modes: ANC → Transparency → Off.
• 📢 Voice prompts will tell you the current mode. If they are not, check the settings in Mi Home (Voice Alerts section).

Using the Mi Home|Touch gestures |Voice assistant |Not using ANC-->

If the gestures don't work:

⚠️ Attention: Touch control is disabled after resetting. To return the function, go to Mi Home → Settings of the device → Manage gestures and activate the control option ANC.

Method 4: Activate ANC via Bluetooth settings (for Android)

On some Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones, noise cancellation can be enabled directly in the Bluetooth menu — without the Mi Home. This method doesn’t work on all firmware, but it’s worth a try.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → Bluetooth on your phone.
2. Find it in the list of Xiaomi Air 2S And press the gear (⚙️) near-name.
3. Select Additional Settings or Sound Settings (name depends on the version of MIUI).
4. Activate the Noise Reduction Switch or ANC.

If no paragraph:

• 📱 Update. MIUI last-minute (ANC appeared MIUI 12.5+).
• 🔄 Reconnect your headphones: Forget your device in Bluetooth, then plug it back in.

5.Why Noise Reduction Doesn't Work: Diagnosing Problems

If the ANC doesn’t turn on or doesn’t work well, check these points:

Top.-5 cause of failure ANC:

• 🔌 The fakes are identical, but they don't have microphones. ANC. Check the serial number in Mi Home.
• 📲 Outdated firmware, versions below 1.4.0.9 ANC It's unstable. Update through Mi Home.
• 🎛️ Incorrect settings of uniformity. c Sound settings → Equalizer Select Mode ANC or Balance.
• 🔊 Conflict with other functions. ANC Not working: Game mode, low latency.
• 🧲 Interference from other devices: If you have wireless speakers or routers running nearby at 2.4 GHz, ANC may be off.

The ANC performance test:

1. Turn on the ANC at maximum level.
2. Close the headphones with your palms, creating a sealed space.
3. You should hear hissing or light pressure, which is a sign of active suppression.
4. If the sound is unchanged, the ANC is not functioning.

6.Comparison of ANC in Xiaomi Air 2S with other models

To understand what to expect from the noise reduction in the Air 2S, compare it to other Xiaomi headphones:

What does this mean for the Air 2S?

• ✅ ANC cope with monotonous noise (airplane, subway, air conditioning).
• ❌ Don’t expect complete silence in noisy offices or on busy streets.
• 🔧 For the best result, combine ANC Passive insulation (dense landing) + leg-up).

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Xiaomi Air 2S uses a hybrid ANC, which is 60-70% effective compared to flagships. This is normal for a budget model – the main thing is to adjust the function correctly.

7. Alternative ways to improve noise reduction

If standard ANC is not satisfied, try these methods:

Programmatic tricks:

• 🎵 Use an equalizer with a low-frequency lift (50-200 Hz) that will enhance the effect. ANC by masking high-pitched sounds.
• 🔇 Turn on Transparency Mode in Noisy Places, and then smoothly transition to ANC — So the transition is less noticeable.
• 📱 On Android, install Wavelet (free on Google Play) and it allows you to fine-tune it. ANC through system sound settings.

Hardware improvements:

• 🧩 Buy foam cloths (like Comply Foam) that improve passive insulation by 30 to 40 percent%.
• 🔋 Use headphones with a charge of 50-80% – at full charge ANC It can be more aggressive.
• 🎧 Check the tightness of the case, and if the lid is not tightly closed, the headphones discharge faster, and ANC shut down.

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For maximum effect, combine ANC with white noise. Turn on an app like Noisli (free) and select the sound "wind" or "rain" that overlaps high-frequency noise that the ANC can't handle.

FAQ: Frequent questions about noise reduction in Air 2S