Bose QC Ultra control, right from your Mac.
Updated July 2, 2026 · QC Ultra Headphones (Gen 1 & 2) · QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Short answer: yes, you can control Bose QC Ultra noise cancellation from a Mac — but not with anything Bose ships. The official Bose app exists only for iOS and Android, and macOS on its own can't switch listening modes. Your options are the buttons on the headphones themselves, or a third-party Mac app like ANCBuddy that controls the QC Ultra directly over Bluetooth.
What macOS can and can't do natively
Paired to a Mac, the QC Ultra works as a normal Bluetooth headset. That covers less than most people expect:
| Task | macOS natively | With ANCBuddy |
|---|---|---|
| Pair / connect, audio in & out, volume | Yes | Yes (via macOS) |
| Switch Quiet / Aware / Immersion modes | No | Yes, one click in the menu bar |
| Reliable battery status | Inconsistent | Yes, shown in the panel |
| EQ / sound profile | No | Yes, incl. optional AI Auto-EQ |
| Firmware updates, multipoint management | No | No — use the Bose phone app |
Option 1: On-headphone controls
Without any software, you can cycle listening modes with the QC Ultra's own controls (press-and-hold on the earbuds, or the mode button on the headphones). It works, but you can't pick a specific mode directly, you get no visual feedback, and there's no battery or EQ control. Fine occasionally; clumsy if you switch between Quiet and Aware many times a day at your desk.
Option 2: ANCBuddy — a Mac menu-bar app for the QC Ultra
ANCBuddy is a native macOS menu-bar utility built specifically for the Bose QC Ultra line. It connects to the already-paired headphones over Bluetooth — no Bose app, no phone needed — and puts the daily controls where you're already working:
- One-click listening modes — switch Quiet (full noise cancellation), Aware (transparency), and Immersion (spatial) from the menu bar.
- Battery and connection status — visible at a glance.
- AI Auto-EQ (optional) — a track-aware 3-band EQ profile generated for the song you're playing.
- Small-Mac-utility behavior — Launch at Login, built-in updates, signed and notarized.
ANCBuddy supports macOS 12 Monterey and newer on Apple Silicon and Intel, costs $9.99 one-time (no subscription), and has a 14-day free trial.
Try ANCBuddy free for 14 daysIs there an official Bose app for Mac?
No. Bose offers the Bose app for iOS and Android only — there is no native macOS app from Bose for the QC Ultra. For settings that live in the phone app (firmware updates, shortcuts, multipoint device management), keep the Bose app on your phone. For everyday mode switching, battery, and EQ while you work on the Mac, that's the gap ANCBuddy fills.
Recommended setup
- Pair the QC Ultra with your Mac via System Settings → Bluetooth (and with your phone, if you use multipoint).
- Install ANCBuddy for modes, battery, and EQ from the menu bar.
- Keep the Bose phone app around for firmware updates and one-time configuration.
Questions, answered.
Can I control Bose QC Ultra noise cancellation from my Mac?
Yes. macOS alone only handles audio and pairing, but ANCBuddy switches Quiet, Aware, and Immersion directly from the Mac menu bar.
Is there an official Bose app for Mac?
No. The official Bose app is iOS and Android only.
Do I need my iPhone or the Bose app to switch modes?
No. ANCBuddy talks to the paired headphones directly over Bluetooth from the Mac.
Does this work with QC Ultra Earbuds?
Yes — QC Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen are supported, alongside QC Ultra Headphones Gen 1 and Gen 2.
Can I see the battery level on my Mac?
macOS's Bluetooth battery readout is unreliable for the QC Ultra; ANCBuddy shows battery and connection status in its panel.