Guide

Bose QC Ultra Immersive Audio: Still vs Motion on Mac

Updated 2026-08-27 · ANCBuddy 2.1.0

ANCBuddy 2.1.0 lets you switch compatible Bose QC Ultra headphones between Still and Motion from the Mac menu bar while Immersion is active. The control sits with your other listening modes, so a daily change does not require a trip to the Bose phone app.

What Still and Motion mean

Bose Immersive Audio creates a wider, more spacious soundstage from the audio you are already playing. Bose offers two ways to position that soundstage:

At a desk or while watching a film, Still is the natural starting point. When you are walking or moving around, Motion is designed for that situation. Bose says Immersive Audio can also work with standard stereo content; it does not depend on one particular spatial-audio format.

Switch Still and Motion from your Mac

With a supported headphone paired to macOS:

  1. Open ANCBuddy from the menu bar.
  2. Choose Immersion as the listening mode.
  3. Select Still or Motion when the control appears.

ANCBuddy reads the live Immersive Audio setting and shows feedback while the headphone confirms the change. You can return to Quiet or Aware from the same panel.

Compatibility behavior

ANCBuddy shows Still and Motion only when the connected QC Ultra headphone exposes the compatible setting. Devices that do not expose it keep the usual Quiet, Aware, Immersion, battery, and optional AI Auto-EQ controls without an inactive switch.

For the broader device list, see the Bose QC Ultra Mac app guide.

What the Bose phone app is still for

Keep the Bose app available for firmware updates, initial product setup, shortcuts, and settings that ANCBuddy does not expose. ANCBuddy focuses on the controls you want close at hand while already working or listening on your Mac.

Download ANCBuddy for a 14-day free trial. A permanent license is $9.99 once, with no subscription.

References

Related pages

Questions, answered

Can I switch Bose QC Ultra Immersive Audio from my Mac?

Yes. ANCBuddy can switch between Still and Motion from the Mac menu bar when Immersion is active on a compatible QC Ultra headphone.

What is the difference between Still and Motion?

Still keeps the soundstage anchored for listening in one place. Motion lets the soundstage move with you so it stays in front while you are moving.

Do I need the Bose phone app open?

No. ANCBuddy handles this daily control directly from your Mac. Keep the Bose app for firmware updates, initial setup, and settings ANCBuddy does not expose.

Does the Still and Motion control appear for every QC Ultra device?

No. ANCBuddy shows the control only when the paired QC Ultra device exposes the compatible Immersive Audio setting.

Does Bose Immersive Audio require special spatial-audio content?

No. Bose says Immersive Audio can add a spatial effect to standard stereo content as well as other everyday audio.