Noise reduction on Xiaomi Mi Air 2 Pro: how to turn on, configure and check

What is ANC in Mi Air 2 Pro and why is it necessary?

The active noise cancellation (ANC) in Xiaomi Mi Air 2 Pro headphones is a technology that analyzes external sounds through built-in microphones and generates opposite sound waves to quench them, resulting in only music or conversation, and extraneous noises (such as traffic hums or conversations in cafes) become almost invisible.

Unlike passive soundproofing (which simply blocks sound by tightly fitting headphones), ANC is actively fighting low-frequency noises, which are the hardest to get rid of with traditional methods. The Mi Air 2 Pro uses a hybrid system with two microphones on each earphone, which allows for more effective noise suppression than budget models.

It's important to understand that ANC doesn't make headphones completely deaf to the world around them -- it can be dangerous, for example, when crossing a road -- instead, it reduces background noise, keeping important sounds (cars, people's voices nearby) in the way that they can hear.

Requirements for noise reduction

Before you include ANC in Xiaomi Mi Air 2 Pro, make sure that all the conditions for its correct operation are met:

• 📱 Up-to-date headphone firmware. Noise cancellation only works on the latest software. If you haven't updated your headphones in a while, the feature may not be on the menu.
• 🔋 Battery charge above 20%. ANC consumes additional energy, and at a low charge level, the system can automatically shut down.
• 🎧 The right fit in the ears. The tight fit of the ear canal is critical for effectiveness. ANC. If the headphones are dangling, noise reduction will work worse.
• 📲 Compatible device. To fully customize ANC via the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app you need a smartphone on Android 6.0+ iOS 10+.

If at least one of these conditions is not met, you will either not find the ANC option in the settings, or it will not be available for activation. For example, with a battery drained, the corresponding switch in the application may be gray and inactive.

Method 1: Enable ANC through the Mi Home app

The most reliable way to activate noise cancellation is to use the official Mi Home app (formerly Xiaomi Home), which is available for download on Google Play and the App Store.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the Mi Air 2 Pro headphones to your smartphone via Bluetooth.
2. Open the Mi Home app and wait until the headphones appear in the device list (usually in the Devices → Audio section).
3. Slip on the headphone icon to open their control panel.
4. In the main menu, find the Noise Reduction tab (or ANC) and switch the slider to the On position.
5. Choose one of the modes: 🔇 Active noise cancellation – maximum suppression of external sounds. 🌳 Transparent mode – skips surrounding sounds (useful for conversations). ⚙️ Adaptive mode – automatically adjusts the level ANC depending on the environment.

If the app doesn’t have an ANC tab, update your headphone firmware (for more on this in the next section). Also check that you’re using the latest version of Mi Home: older builds of the app may not support new features.

Method 2: Control ANC through touch buttons

If you don’t have access to the Mi Home app or prefer to control headphones without a smartphone, noise cancellation can be enabled directly using the touch panels on the Mi Air 2 Pro body.

Algorithm of action:

1. Put on your headphones and make sure they are connected to the device.
2. Touch and hold the touchpad on the right earphone for 2-3 seconds until you hear the beep.
3. After the signal, the ANC will be activated. Retention will switch the mode to transparent or turn off the noise cancellation completely (depending on the current state).

Note: By default, the Mi Air 2 Pro uses the following control logic:

If the touch buttons don’t respond to hold, try resetting your headphone settings (clip both touch panels for 10 seconds before the indicator flashes).

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To quickly check if it works ANC, Turn on the music at medium volume and compare the external noise level before and after activation of the function. 1-2 seconds.

ANC firmware update: why it matters

Many Xiaomi Mi Air 2 Pro users are faced with a situation where the noise reduction option is simply not in the app menu. 90% of the time it is due to outdated headphone firmware. The fact is that ANC was added in later versions of the software, and if your headphones have not been updated for a long time, the features may not physically exist.

How to update firmware:

1. Connect the headphones to your smartphone and open Mi Home.
2. Go to the Mi Air 2 Pro settings (slip on their icon in the main menu).
3. Find the Firmware Update section (usually at the bottom of the screen).
4. If a new version is available, click Update and wait for the process to be completed (the headphones should lie in a case with the lid open!).

Important nuances:

• ⚡ The firmware is updated only at the charge level of headphones above 50%.
• 📶 To download the update file, you need stable Wi-Fi (not mobile Internet!).
• ⏳ The process takes 3-5 Don't interrupt it or close the case lid.

After the update, reboot the headphones (remove from the case and place back again).The ANC option should appear on the menu.

ANC problems: why noise reduction doesn't work

Even after successful activation of ANC, users sometimes find that the function is not working correctly or does not give the expected effect.

⚠️ Note: If after activation ANC If you hear a hiss or a whistle in your headphones, it may indicate a malfunction of the microphones.

If none of the methods did not help, try resetting the headphones to the factory:

1. Put the headphones in the case.


2. Open the case lid.




3. Hold the touch buttons on both headphones for 15 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.




4. Close the case cover for 10 seconds, then reopen and connect the headphones to the phone.

Comparison of the ANC in Mi Air 2 Pro with other Xiaomi models

Noise reduction in Xiaomi Mi Air 2 Pro is often compared to similar features in other headphones of the brand. ANC in this model from competitors:

• 🎯 Mi Air 2 Pro vs Mi Air 2 SE: The Pro version uses a hybrid version. ANC with two microphones on the headphone, while in SE — The difference in noise reduction efficiency is up to 30%.
• 🎯 Mi Air 2 Pro vs Mi True Wireless 2: In True Wireless 2 ANC It's not available at all -- it's only passive soundproofing, but it's better autonomy (up to 14 hours vs. 7 in the Air 2 Pro with it on). ANC).
• 🎯 Mi Air 2 Pro vs Mi AirDots 3 Pro: AirDots 3 Pro ANC more advanced (supports 3 intensity levels), but they cost almost 2 times more.

The key difference between the Mi Air 2 Pro is the balance between price and quality of the ANC. In terms of noise reduction efficiency, the model is inferior to flagships (for example, Sony WF-1000XM4), but bypasses most budget counterparts due to a hybrid microphone system.

If you’re choosing between the Mi Air 2 Pro and other Xiaomi models, focus on your priorities:

• 💰 Budget up to 5,000 ₽ → Mi Air 2 Pro (best) ANC segmentally).
• 🔋 Maximum autonomy → Mi True Wireless 2 but without it ANC).
• 🎧 Premium sound quality → Mi AirDots 3 Pro or FlipBuds Pro.

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The ANC in Mi Air 2 Pro is optimal for urban environments (metro, office, cafe), but will not cope with extreme noise (for example, in an airplane or on a construction site).

FAQ: Frequent questions about noise reduction in Mi Air 2 Pro