I’m holding my iPhone 17 Pro Max in Cosmic Orange right now, running the latest iOS 26, and if you’ve been digging through settings looking for that old “Phone Noise Cancellation” toggle under Accessibility… you’re not crazy, it’s gone. Apple removed it.
But don’t worry — there are still a few ways you can cut down background noise during calls and make sure the person on the other end hears you loud and clear. Let me walk you through it, live, step by step.
Use Voice Isolation (Built-In)
Apple baked noise suppression right into the call interface now. Here’s how you turn it on during a call:
- Make or receive a call.
- Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center.
- In the mic mode section, tap Phone Controls.
- Choose Voice Isolation.
This filters out background noise — like traffic, fans, or people chatting in the room — and makes your voice the priority. You’ll hear the difference instantly.
Use Headphones with Built-In Mics
If you’re somewhere noisy, popping in a pair of AirPods Pro or even wired EarPods helps a ton.
- AirPods Pro support Adaptive Transparency and noise cancellation, so you hear the call better while your mic focuses on your voice.
- Even regular EarPods keep your mic closer to your mouth, which cuts down surrounding noise.
Improve Your Signal
Background noise sometimes feels worse when the network signal is weak because your voice transmission gets choppy.
- Toggle Airplane Mode on/off to refresh your connection.
- If you’re indoors, turn on Wi-Fi Calling (Settings → Cellular → Wi-Fi Calling).
- Stick to areas with strong 5G or LTE for cleaner calls.
Bonus Tip: Third-Party Call Apps
If you use apps like Zoom, WhatsApp, or Teams, they actually have their own noise suppression options. So even though Apple removed the global toggle, you can still enable noise filtering per app. Check app settings before your next call.
Final Thoughts
So yeah, if you’re rocking an iPhone 17 Pro Max in Cosmic Orange on iOS 26, don’t waste time looking for the old Accessibility noise cancellation setting — it’s gone. Instead, use Voice Isolation during calls, pair with good earbuds, and make sure your signal’s solid.
That way, even if you’re out in the city or working from a noisy coffee shop, your calls will sound way clearer.
👉 Pro Tip: If you’re still having trouble, check out my guide on How to Improve Call Quality on iPhone 17 for extra fixes.
