# Transparency mode
> Transparency mode lets earbuds pipe outside sound in so you can hear people and traffic.
Topics: Audio, Wearables
Difficulty: Everyday
Aliases: ambient mode
Updated: 2026-06-26T08:00:00.000Z
## Go deeper
Transparency mode lets earbuds pipe outside sound in so you can hear people and traffic. In everyday buying decisions, the useful question is not just what the spec says, but what it changes for comfort, cost, speed, safety, or battery life.