Table of Contents Show
Do your AirPods frequently disconnect from your iOS device? Try all of the fixes right here. Nothing can ruin a good mood like having your AirPods unexpectedly disconnect and you ask yourself why do my AirPods keep disconnecting from my iOS smartphone in the middle of a music session or an important meeting.
Sure, it’s not a big deal the first time it happens. If this continues, your 10-minute phone chat rapidly becomes a succession of callbacks. In this post, we’ll examine why your AirPods could disconnect from your iPhone or iPad and how to fix the problem.
Let’s get started.
Why Do My AirPods Keep Disconnecting?
You probably don’t want to hear this, but AirPods disconnect from iPhones and other Bluetooth devices for various reasons. It might be a hardware issue, a signal quality issue, or an issue with a particular version of iOS.
AirPod disconnections were painfully prevalent in 2016 and 2017 with iOS 10.1, then reappeared in 2018 with the iOS 11.2.6 release. The problem reappeared for the third time after the iOS 12.1 upgrade and is likely to reoccur in the future. Report any issues to Apple, and keep an eye out for patches in future releases.
Disconnection issues are most commonly associated with phone calls: a caller complains that they can’t hear you well or at all, or you realize that your AirPods cut out while you were in the middle of a chat. You may encounter the problem less frequently when listening to music or connecting to in-car Bluetooth.
The issue might be connected to the sensors within the AirPods that identify whether or not they are in your ears, or it could be due to Bluetooth interference. Whatever the cause, one of the audio remedies listed below may resolve your AirPod disconnection issue. If you can’t fix it, check out Best AirPods offers or go to Apple’s website for a new set. However, wait to quit.
How to Fix Disconnected AirPods from an iPhone
To prevent your AirPods from losing Bluetooth connectivity, go through the list of likely causes and delete them one by one. Are they no longer in power? Have you inadvertently switched off Bluetooth or selected the incorrect audio output? Is it a physical issue with one earbud, is ear detection malfunctioning, or do the AirPods just need to be cleaned? Finally, we may look for potential causes of signal interference.
1. Check That Nothing is Obstructing The Signal
The Bluetooth technology in AirPods is far superior to those of previous wireless earphones. However, even AirPods may be defeated by distance or obstructions. If the sound is cutting in and out, keep your phone nearby – don’t exceed Bluetooth’s 30-foot range.
Also, if the sound is sporadic, consider eliminating any impediments to the transmission. Remove the phone from its case or bag and place it in direct sight of your ears, such as on a countertop. Eliminating probable sources of blocking and interference may fix your situation.
2. Put the AirPods in the Charging Case
If your AirPods have recently begun to disconnect, you may have a faulty connection between the phone and the earphones. Place the AirPods back in their charging case. Allow them to disengage from your iPhone for a few seconds, then remove them and try again. This is similar to restarting the AirPods, which may resolve your issue.
3. Toggle Bluetooth On and Off
Toggling Bluetooth on your iPhone is another technique to “reboot” the device. If the problem is with your iPhone rather than the AirPods, this can rapidly cure the problem. Launch the Settings app and select Bluetooth. Swipe the Bluetooth button to the left to switch it off, then back on.
4. Remove your AirPods and Re-Pair Them
If your AirPods usually have a shaky, inconsistent connection to your iPhone, there might be an issue with how they are connected. This is especially true if you have a shaky connection on your phone, but everything else works perfectly, such as your iPad. Unpair and then re-pair your AirPods to troubleshoot this.
- Place the AirPods in their charging case.
- Open the Settings app and select Bluetooth.
- Locate the AirPods in the Bluetooth device list and hit the I symbol on the right.
- Select Forget This Device.
- Place the AirPods case near your iPhone, open the lid, and repeat the first setup to connect the AirPods to your iPhone.
5. Turn off Automatic Ear Detection
Automatic Ear Detection is a useful AirPods function that automatically plays and pauses audio based on whether the AirPods are in your ears. Generally, it works well, but it is conceivable that this function can suddenly cause your audio to stop if Apple believes you have removed the AirPods from your ears. This can happen if your AirPods don’t fit properly or you touch and move them around while wearing them. To deactivate Automatic Ear Detection, follow these steps:
- Put your AirPods on.
- Launch the Settings app and select Bluetooth.
- Locate the AirPods in the Bluetooth device list and hit the I symbol on the right.
- Swipe the button to the left to disable Automatic Ear Detection.
6. Try Using Only One AirPod
If nothing else has worked, check if there is a hardware issue with one of the AirPods. Try wearing only one earpiece at a time to see if the problem remains. Begin by wearing only one AirPod, for example, and check whether it continues to disconnect. After a while with that one, swap to the left. If it disconnects often when merely wearing one or the other, your AirPods may need to be repaired or replaced.
7. Install Any Available Updates
Throughout the AirPods’ lifespan, several software bugs have increased the likelihood of an unexpected disconnect. Your issue is likely software-related, so ensure your iPhone is up to date. Launch the Settings app, choose General, and finally, Software Update. Install any available updates. When the AirPods are charging and close to your iPhone, they automatically update.
8. Turn off Automatic Switching
When you start playing audio, AirPods automatically swap between Apple devices as of iOS 14. Disable this capability if you have another iPhone, iPad, or Mac lying around to avoid unexpected disconnects.
Tap the I symbol next to AirPods in Settings > Bluetooth. Then, pick When Last Connected to This iPhone from the Connect to This iPhone menu. You must do this for each iOS and iPadOS device you possess.
- In the iPhone Settings app, go to Bluetooth.
- Next to AirPods, tap the Info icon.
- Tap the Connect to This iPhone button.
- Choose When This iPhone Was Last Connected.
- On a Mac, navigate to System Preferences > Bluetooth and click the Options button next to your AirPods. Then, change the Connect to This Mac setting to When Last Connected to This Mac.
9. Reinstall Your AirPods
If you continue to have problems with your AirPods sporadically disconnecting, you should reset them. Place the AirPods in either the Charging Case or the Smart Case. Then, hold down the Status button (or, on the AirPods Max, both the Noise Control button and the Digital Crown) until the light flashes amber. Remove the AirPods and follow the onscreen instructions on your iPhone to reconnect them.
10. Reset the Network Configuration
Resetting your iPhone’s network settings should resolve any faulty network-related settings preventing the device from properly interacting with your AirPods.
To do so, navigate Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset and choose Reset Network Settings. Enter your device’s passcode and then press the Reset Network Settings button. Reconnect your AirPods following the reset method to see if the problem reappears.
Final Thoughts
Why do my AirPods keep disconnecting? The solutions provided above should have assisted you in resolving difficulties with the AirPods disconnecting from your iPhone. If not, you’re most likely dealing with a hardware fault requiring you to contact Apple for assistance. You may do this in various ways, including visiting an Apple Store or downloading the Apple Support app.
