How to turn on noise cancellation in Xiaomi headphones: the full guide 2026

Why is the noise cancellation in Xiaomi headphones not working as you expect?

Have you bought Xiaomi’s new Active Noise Reduction (ANC) wireless headphones, but can’t find where to turn them on? Or does the feature work but the quality leave much to be desired? The problem is often not the headphones themselves, but the wrong settings or outdated firmware. Even flagship models like Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro or FlipBuds Pro require pre-tuning through proprietary software, otherwise the ANC may simply not be activated.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to enable noise reduction, from basic settings in the Bluetooth menu to hidden features in the Mi Home app (which, by the way, many users don’t even install), and why ANC might not work on some smartphone models and how to fix it. If you’ve tried to turn noise reduction on the standard menu and it didn’t work out, don’t rush your headphones back to the store.

What Xiaomi headphone models support ANC?

Not all Xiaomi headphones are equipped with active noise cancellation, here is the full list of models with ANC support (as of 2026):

• 🎧 Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro (hybrid) ANC 3-mic)
• 🎧 Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro (adaptive) ANC level-adjusted)
• 🎧 Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro (ANC transparently)
• 🎧 Redmi Buds 4 Pro (Basic) ANC, but with good insulation)
• 🎧 Xiaomi AirDots 3 Pro (ANC First generation, less efficient)

If your model doesn’t make it to this list, it either doesn’t support ANC at all or it uses passive noise protection (due to the design of the body), for example, Redmi Buds 3 Lite or Xiaomi AirDots 2 do not have active noise cancellation – they can be distinguished by the absence of ANC in the characteristics.

Important: Even if your model supports ANC, the feature may be blocked on non-Xiaomi smartphones.For example, on iPhones or Samsung devices, some noise reduction settings may not be available without additional apps.

Method 1: Enabling ANC via Bluetooth menu on Xiaomi smartphone

The easiest way to activate noise cancellation is through the standard connected device menu, which works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones with MIUI 12 firmware and later.

Instructions:

1. Connect the headphones to the smartphone via Bluetooth.
2. Open Settings → Bluetooth.
3. Find your headphones in the list of connected devices and tap the icon ⚙️ (squirrels near their name.
4. In the menu that opens, select Noise Reduction or ANC (the name may vary depending on the model).
5. Switch the slider to the On position and select the noise reduction level (if available).

If there is no noise reduction item on the menu, it means:

• 🔄 Your firmware. MIUI Is outdated (update it to Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 📱 You use non-original firmware (for example, custom type LineageOS).
• 🎧 Your headphone model doesn't support ANC (Check the list above).

Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro) only have basic ANC control in the Bluetooth menu. The Mi Home app will be required for fine tuning (noise reduction level adjustment, transparent mode).

Method 2: Set up ANC via the Mi Home app

The Mi Home app (or Xiaomi Home in some regions) gives you enhanced control over noise cancellation.

• 🔊 Regulate the level ANC (weak/medium/strong).
• 🔄 Enable adaptive mode (automatic adjustment to ambient noise).
• 👂 Activate transparent mode (transmission of external sounds).
• ⚡ Check the status of the headphone battery.

How to set up:

1. Install the Mi Home app (for Android) or find it in the App Store (for iOS).
2. Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account (required!).
3. Connect the headphones to the smartphone via Bluetooth.
4. Open Mi Home, click Add Device (+) and select your headphones from the list.
5. After connecting, go to the headphone settings and find the Noise Reduction section.

Important nuance: On iPhones, some ANC features in the Mi Home may be limited due to Apple's policy.In this case, try using headphones with an Android device for initial setup.

The Mi Home also allows you to update your headphone firmware if a new version is available, which is especially important for Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro and older models, where the ANC improves with each update.

Method 3: Control ANC with touch gestures on headphones

Many Xiaomi models allow you to turn on/off noise cancellation directly from the headphone body without opening your smartphone.

If the gestures don't work:

• 🔋 Check the headphone charge (at low battery level, the sensor may not respond).
• 🔄 Reset the headphone settings (the instruction is usually in the user manual).
• 📲 Update the firmware through Mi Home.

💡

If you use ANC frequently in transport, turn on the headphone settings to "Transport" (if any) and optimizes noise cancellation for low-frequency noises (such as engine hum).

On the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, gestures for the ANC can be reassigned in the Mi Home app – it’s the only model with such a feature at the moment.

Why ANC Doesn't Work: Common Problems and Solutions

If noise reduction is not turned on or does not work well, the reasons may be as follows:

⚠️ Note: Headphones Xiaomi with ANC require a minimum charge level of 30% for the function to function properly. When the discharge is below this threshold, the noise cancellation can automatically turn off.

Problem 1: ANC turns on, but barely silences the noise.

• 🔊 Check the density of the fitting of the earbrushes (they should completely close the ear canal).
• 🔄 Try changing the size of the bulges (usually included) S/M/L).
• 📱 Update the firmware of headphones and smartphone.

Problem 2: There is no Noise Reduction item in the Bluetooth menu.

• 📱 Make sure your smartphone is working on MIUI 12 or newer.
• 🔄 Reconnect the headphones (forget the device in Bluetooth and connect again).
• 🎧 Check if your model supports you. ANC (see list above).

Problem 3: The ANC works, but there is a hissing or whistling.

• 🔊 Reduce the noise reduction level in the settings.
• 🎵 Try another sound source (sometimes a problem with Bluetooth codecs).
• 🔄 Reboot the headphones (put them in the case for 10 seconds).

💡

If ANC doesn’t work on an iPhone, try connecting your headphones to your Android device and updating your firmware through Mi Home.

How to improve the quality of noise reduction: advice from experts

Even if the ANC is on, it's going to work very well, depending on a few factors, and here's how to maximize the impact.

1. Choose the right earpieces. They should fit tightly to the ear, but not cause discomfort. Complete with Xiaomi headphones, usually come in 3 sizes (S/M/L) - experiment.
2. Use the ANC Adaptive Mode. It automatically adjusts to the outside noise level. It is enabled in the Mi Home app (not available on all models).
3. Update the firmware. Newer versions of headphone software often improve ANC algorithms. For example, in Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, after upgrading to version 4.7.0, noise cancellation became 30% more efficient.
4. Avoid the wind. ANC does not cope well with sharp gusts of wind - in such conditions, it is better to use transparent mode or turn off noise cancellation.

If you use ANC frequently on an airplane or train, try turning on Transport mode (if your model has one), which is optimized for low-frequency noises such as engine hums.

⚠️ Attention: Long-term use ANC At maximum levels, it can lead to poor sound quality and rapid battery discharge.

Comparison of ANCs in Different Xiaomi Models: Which Is Better?

Not all Xiaomi headphones are equally good at noise cancellation, and here is a comparison table for the key models:

As you can see from the table, the best noise reduction in the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro is due to its hybrid system with three microphones and adaptive setting. If you care about the quality of the ANC, this is the model you should consider.

But Xiaomi AirDots 3 Pro, despite the support of ANC, show modest results — their noise reduction is more marketing than a full-fledged feature.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)