The controls will not work on every device when they return. Even if these controls were available in the early days of Android15 Beta, they only worked for the Pixel Buds Pro and the recently announced Pixel Buds Pro 2. Active Noise Control uses an outward-facing microphone to remove outside and ambient noise that interferes with the sound you hear. Transparency mode allows outside noise to be heard.
These controls could return when the stable version of Android 15 is released. | Image credit: Google News
Also known as surround sound, spatial audio helps your ears determine the distance and direction of the sounds you're hearing. While it's not clear why Google removed the controls in the first place, Pixel Buds Pro and Pixel Buds Pro 2 users will likely be glad to see them come back. If you're using Pixel Buds Pro or Pixel Buds Pro 2, you'll see the options under the “Noise Control” heading for “Noise Control,” “Spatial Audio,” and “Live Caption.”
When you tap on “Noise Control,” you’ll see a second set of buttons for “Noise Cancellation,” “Off,” and “Transparency.” But here’s the problem. Unless you’re using the Pixel Buds Pro or Pixel Buds Pro 2, you’ll only see the button for “Live Captions,” which automatically adds captions to your screen in real time. The stable version of Android15 could arrive by the end of the third quarter, which is the end of next month.