ANCBuddy mascotNative Bose QC Ultra control for Mac

Bose QC Ultra control,
right from your Mac.

Switch Quiet, Aware, and Immersion, see and switch remembered audio sources, check battery, and use optional AI Auto-EQ — without opening the Bose phone app.

Buy ANCBuddy — $9.99
No Bose app needed for daily controls QC Ultra Headphones + Earbuds Buy once, no subscription
􀣺SafariFileEditViewHistory
9:41
QC Ultra Headphones
82%
Connected
Audio Sources
This MacPhone connected · 3 rememberedActive
Listening Mode
Sound
AI TUNEDSound Profile
Bass +4 · Mid +1 · Treble +3
Current trackThe Less I Know The Better · Tame Impala
Why ANCBuddy

Keep everyday controls off your phone.

The Bose app is useful for setup and firmware. ANCBuddy keeps modes, audio sources, and battery status in the menu bar while you work on your Mac.

Bose app
Pick up phone, unlock, open app, wait, tap
Mode and source changes leave your Mac workflowSound tweaks live in a separate app
ANCBuddy
Open the panel, switch modes or sources
Modes, sources, and battery in one placeOptional AI Auto-EQ when music is playing
Audio Sources

Your Bose audio sources, from the Mac menu bar.

ANCBuddy 2.2.0 shows what is actively streaming, what else is connected, and which devices your Bose QC Ultra remembers.

ANCBuddy Audio Sources panel showing the active Bose QC Ultra source, another connected source, and remembered devices on Mac
Real ANCBuddy 2.2.0 panel · privacy-safe device labels
  • See the active source
  • See other connected sources
  • Switch to a remembered device
  • Start pairing from ANCBuddy

ANCBuddy works with sources remembered by your Bose QC Ultra. It does not provide a Multipoint on/off toggle or manage arbitrary Bluetooth devices.

Learn how audio-source switching works
Product tour

One place for modes, sources, and status.

ANCBuddy puts the Bose controls you actually use in your Mac menu bar. Optional AI Auto-EQ stays available without taking over the daily workflow.

One-click modes

Switch Quiet, Aware, and Immersion from the Mac menu bar, with immediate feedback while the headphones confirm the change.

QUIETAWAREIMMERSION

Audio Sources

See the active source, other connected sources, and devices remembered by your Bose QC Ultra. Switch to a remembered device or start pairing from the same panel.

Battery and live status

Check battery, connection, listening mode, and source state without leaving the app you are working in.

Optional AI Auto-EQ

Turn it on when you want a visible Bass/Mid/Treble profile shaped for the current track. Leave it off for fully local daily controls.

Bass +4Mid +1Treble +3

Private by default

Modes and audio-source control are direct and local. AI Auto-EQ is opt-in and sends track metadata to ANCBuddy's relay only while enabled.

"Finally — exactly the menu‑bar app I wished Bose itself shipped. Switching modes from a Zoom call is the killer feature."

Early beta feedbackSource on file

Signed and notarized for macOS.
The current 2.2.0 DMG is published through GitHub Releases and includes a 14-day trial.

Release proofVersion 2.2.0

"Worked first try with my QC Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen."

Earbuds tester feedbackSource on file
Supported hardware

Made for Bose QC Ultra.

ANCBuddy brings modes, battery, and remembered audio sources to the supported Bose QC Ultra models below.

QC Ultra Headphones — Gen 1

Modes, battery, remembered audio sources
Supported

QC Ultra Headphones — Gen 2

Modes, battery, remembered audio sources
Supported

QC Ultra Earbuds — 2nd Gen

Modes, battery, remembered audio sources
Supported

Want ANCBuddy for another Bose model? Send a note.

Pricing

One price. Yours forever.

Mac menu-bar app · 14-day trial
$9.99
One‑time purchase · No subscription · Updates included
  • Quiet, Aware, and Immersion from your Mac
  • AI Auto-EQ sound profiles
  • All Bose QC Ultra devices
  • Built-in update checks
  • Email support, from the dev directly
Buy ANCBuddy — $9.99
Or
Frequently asked

Questions, answered.

Is this an official Bose product?
No. ANCBuddy is an independent third-party utility. Bose, QuietComfort, and QC Ultra are trademarks of Bose Corporation. ANCBuddy is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Bose.
Which Macs and macOS versions are supported?
macOS 12 Monterey and newer, Apple Silicon and Intel Macs are supported. ANCBuddy is signed and notarized for normal macOS installation.
Do I need the Bose app open?
No. ANCBuddy talks directly to your paired Bose QC Ultra for listening modes and everyday audio-source control. Keep the Bose app for firmware updates, initial setup, and settings ANCBuddy does not manage.
How does AI Auto-EQ handle my music data?
AI Auto-EQ is opt-in. When enabled, ANCBuddy sends the current artist, title, and album to the AI service only to generate a 3-band EQ profile for that track. Results are cached by a hashed track key, and raw song names are not stored.
What's the difference between Quiet, Aware, and Immersion?
Quiet is full noise cancellation. Aware lets more of your surroundings through. Immersion is Bose's wider, more spacious listening mode.
How do updates work?
ANCBuddy includes a Check for Updates action in the panel and can check for updates in the background. Installs are user-confirmed.
Can it launch at login?
Yes. The panel includes a Launch at Login switch, so you can decide whether ANCBuddy starts automatically with your Mac.
I bought BoseControl. Do I need to buy again?
No. The ANCBuddy 2.x app migrates existing BoseControl license and trial data automatically when it starts.
Will it work with my Sony / Sennheiser / AirPods?
No. ANCBuddy is built specifically for Bose QC Ultra headphones and earbuds. Other manufacturers use different control systems.
Is there a free trial?
Yes. The trial runs for 14 days. If you like it, $9.99 unlocks ANCBuddy permanently.
Refunds?
Yes — 14-day no-questions refund through Lemon Squeezy.

Ready to make your QC Ultras feel at home on your Mac?

Try ANCBuddy free for 14 days. If it belongs in your menu bar, it's yours for a one-time $9.99.

Try 14 days for free